Xmas peak fares / restriction easements

[puffinscot]

Hi all - a few of the TOCs seem to have posted on their website words like "Peak fares aren’t very festive, so we’re getting rid of them for the whole holiday period."

Does that mean that a off peak day return is available for use before 9.30am between Xmas and New Year? The online booking engines seem not to offer them.

e.g. I'm looking at Glasgow to Carlisle on 27th Dec and travelling on either 0630 or 0737 VT, or 0710 TPE.

thank you in advance & merry christmas all.
Kevin

 

[Bletchleyite]

Usually the IC TOCs drop restrictions between 27/12 and 31/12. Often the South East TOCs don't as some people commute during that period. Others may vary.

 

[gray1404]

An otherwise valid Off Peak ticket be that Off Peak or Off Peak Day (or indeed Super Off Peak in terms of the time restrictions - not sure about those which have restrictions on days they can be used) is valid at any time on Virgin Trains services 22 December to 1 January inclusive. It may mean you won't be able to book your preferred train online and get a seat reservation but that is not too important for the sake of the saving maybe?

 

[puffinscot]

An otherwise valid Off Peak ticket be that Off Peak or Off Peak Day (or indeed Super Off Peak in terms of the time restrictions - not sure about those which have restrictions on days they can be used) is valid at any time on Virgin Trains services 22 December to 1 January inclusive. It may mean you won't be able to book your preferred train online and get a seat reservation but that is not too important for the sake of the saving maybe?

thanks - yes, seat reservation not important to me - so I will just buy the off peak day return and then travel on any Virgin Train. Excellent.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

thanks - yes, seat reservation not important to me - so I will just buy the off peak day return and then travel on any Virgin Train. Excellent.

You can still get a seat reservation at a ticket office or via customer relations (via Twitter or phone) before the day, even if you don't get a seat reservation when booking.

 

[ashworth]

Usually the IC TOCs drop restrictions between 27/12 and 31/12. Often the South East TOCs don't as some people commute during that period. Others may vary.

Although Off Peak fares are usually available at all,times between Christmas and New Year that is often not the case with station car parks on what would normally be a weekday. I remember a couple of years ago at Chesterfield being charged the very high peak time car parking fee, to park in what was a relatively empty car park, before 10am on a day when very few would be commuting long distances. If I remember correctly, I think the car parking fee was almost higher than my train fare.

 

[Mag_seven]

Often the South East TOCs don't as some people commute during that period.

Despite only offering a Saturday service or worse if there is engineering work -its taking the proverbial in my book.