Where to find a �1 train ticket listing

[Greedyfly]

Hello, my partner and I are off work this week coming, but having just moved house we havent got alot of cash. So I thought to fill a day or so we could grab a couple of cheap train tickets anywhere. But having looked on the National express website there doesnt seem to be a page where they list whats on offer in terms of destinations, I have no idea where we want to go so was wondering if anyone knew of a website that shows whats on offer where and when - rather than me searching destination etc... The cheaper the better. Thanks

[Buenchico]

�1 train fares are usually restricted to Megatrain services, which are only operated by those companies owned (or in partnership with) Stagecoach. National Express don't offer such low fare on their routes.

To find all current offers for your part of the country, go here:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/prom otions/
Click on the relevant part of the country, then click on each of the letters shown in bold type, to work your way alphabetically through the listings.

If you post a little more information (e.g. where you're starting from, and whether you're looking for day trips or short breaks) we'll then be able to suggest some places you might like to visit.

Chris

[Greedyfly]

Hi there, thanks for your answer. We would be going from York and they would be day trips. We have managed to get to London and back before for less than �5 and to Edingburgh and back for about �14 - but both trips were for a few days.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Thanks for the reply. You've got three big problems in seeking cheap rail fares:

1: The cheapest fares generally aren't available at peak times, which make them difficult to find for day trips.

2. It's a bank holiday week, when cheap tickets usually sell out very quickly.

3. It's incredibly short notice. (You need to book a couple of months in advance for the best fares).

Looking at a rail map, and seeking inspiration for somewhere to go for a day trip from York, it occurs to me that Durham is a very pleasant city:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=r es&cd=13&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.durhamtourism.co .uk%2F&ei=AfL9SZaRA4e5jAed8ZSlAw&usg=AFQjCNFvA aanxAuh9lEm-T226joiqJxV4w

The full return fare from York is �50.80 but off-peak travel (which seems to be available on most, if not all, trains) costs �32.50. If you're prepared to travel at some rather odd times (such as out at 0706 on Thursday and back at 2200), you can get the fare down to �21.00. (In practice it might be better to pay �24.50 and return earlier, such as on the 1836 departure from Durham).

Closer to home, Harrogate is well worth a visit:
http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-266
With 'walk up' Anytime Return tickets costing just �8.30 you wouldn't have to worry about seeking advance travel on specific trains.

From time to time I make trips (all the way from Suffolk) to visit the National Media Museum, in Bradford:
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/
It'

[Buenchico]

It's an absolute gem (with free admission), and the city has quite a few other attractions:
http://www.visitbradford.com/
The Off-Peak Return fare (which, despite its name appears to be available on all train services) is �14.40.

If you wanted to do another trip to London, I can't find a way of doing it cheaply as a day trip but it doesn't cost very much if you include an overnight stay. For example, you could take the Megabus coach to East Midlands Parkway station at 0700 on Thursday morning, catching the train service which arrive in London at 1119. (Total fare, from York to London = �5 per person). Enjoy the afternoon and evening in London and then pay around �20 per person to stay somewhere like the London Private Rooms (which get good reviews), in Willesden Green. Then enjoy Friday morning in London, before catching the 1415 train back to East Midlands Parkway, for the coach back to York. (Arrives 1815. Total fare from London to York = �3 per person).

If that option interests you, you'll need this link for travel:
http://www.megabus.com/uk/
and this one for accommodation:
http://www.hostelworld.com
(Use the 'Additional search options' to select both 'Budget Hotels' and 'Guesthouses').

Chris