Which type of ticket (paper/email/phone) ?

[EC Traveller]

I'd like to buy the cheapest advance fare on the day of travel (as I don't know the time until I get back into the country and can gauge my arrival into KGX). I'm thinking anything will be cheaper than the walk-on fare. But, remotely, how best to do this ? I'll be purchasing two tickets (two people travelling) - that alone might remove an option/created issues. Is there a ticket vending machine at KGX (ticket collection); I don't suppose the travel centre will sell me advanced tickets for the next train out.

Additionally, 'open' returns will work for us STP-GTW and back, but do the on-line tools sell open returns - I can't seem to make it work. If not, can I buy these on out outward journey from either the LNER ticket office of somewhere at STP ?

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[miklcct]

Why do you mention KGX when you only want to travel STP-GTW? For the latter using contactless PAYG is normally the best option.

 

[_toommm_]

Is there a ticket vending machine at KGX (ticket collection);

Ticket machines a-plenty. There’s definitely GTR ones near Waitrose, and I’m sure there’s LNER-ones too.

I don't suppose the travel centre will sell me advanced tickets for the next train out.

They can and they will. Best to say you want an advance though so they know to offer you that.

do the on-line tools sell open returns - I can't seem to make it work.

You’d need to select the Anytime Return on the website, priced at £23.10 (this doesn’t include any underground journey, for example, St Pancras to Victoria):

Purchase flexible walk-up fares for any British train journey

Purchase flexible single/return tickets & Travelcards – in 3 clicks, at face value with no fees. Every British rail fare shown, railcard discounts included.

www.brfares.com

If not, can I buy these on out outward journey from either the LNER ticket office of somewhere at STP ?

Yes you can. There’s not many fares I can think of that are online-only.

 

[Haywain]

I don't suppose the travel centre will sell me advanced tickets for the next train out.

They certainly will and won’t need prompting to offer whatever is cheapest for your train.

Is there a ticket vending machine at KGX (ticket collection);

There are 25 or so dotted about the station, most operated by LNER and which offer Advance tickets which GTR machines don’t.

If not, can I buy these on out outward journey from either the LNER ticket office of somewhere at STP ?

1 ticket office at Kings Cross, 2 at St Pancras and so many TVMs that you’ve got no excuses!

 

[EC Traveller]

Thanks for the input.

It seems that for my (main) query (1) the best thing to do would be to rock up to KGX and just request any advanced for the next train (I was thinking of doing this once underway GTW-STP but collecting tickets being a issue).

For our STP-GTW I'll try at the LNER start point, or KGX centre if not too busy, or a machine at KGX for the open returns.

 

[Haywain]

(1) the best thing to do would be to rock up to KGX and just request any advanced for the next train (I was thinking of doing this once underway GTW-STP but collecting tickets being a issue)

Just use the LNER app and buy as an eTicket on your phone.

 

[island]

Where exactly is it you are proposing to travel from and to?

It's quite possible there are preferable ticket options for your total journey.

 

[Wallsendmag]

You can even buy an eTicket from the counter at Kings Cross if it's available for the journey