I'm Really Worried I Have Upset My...
Family & Relationships3 mins ago
Can Someone Give Me Some Infomation About Trains Please.? Looking
at booking a train and there are different prices.... I understand first class. but what is the difference between Standard cheapest and advance ? ...if we are late to catch the train we book could we get anotherone as long as it is the same journey but a different time.? thankyou
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using the "nationalrail" search engine, inputting your journey (from/to), date and time will call up a list of train journeys that best match your requirements. each train entry will have an indication of the cheapest fare available for that train.
"anytime" is the most expensive, and is (as it says) available for travel anytime.
"off peak" is available for travel on most less-busy services; under the price shown will be a clickable bar that will provide a list of other services available with that ticket.
"advance" is a pre-booked fare and can be substantially cheaper than the anytime or off-peak fare, but may only be available for use on the train shown (although the "other trains" bar may be shown, which indicates other available services).
Advance or off-peak tickets may be specific to one train operator, in which case the ticket will be endorsed "valid only on xxxx...).
But, if you're prepared to entrust your travel plans to this thread, Buenchico or DZug will be along shortly with some really helpful specifics.
"anytime" is the most expensive, and is (as it says) available for travel anytime.
"off peak" is available for travel on most less-busy services; under the price shown will be a clickable bar that will provide a list of other services available with that ticket.
"advance" is a pre-booked fare and can be substantially cheaper than the anytime or off-peak fare, but may only be available for use on the train shown (although the "other trains" bar may be shown, which indicates other available services).
Advance or off-peak tickets may be specific to one train operator, in which case the ticket will be endorsed "valid only on xxxx...).
But, if you're prepared to entrust your travel plans to this thread, Buenchico or DZug will be along shortly with some really helpful specifics.
>>> if we are late to catch the train we book could we get another one as long as it is the same journey but a different time?
Assuming that you're referring to an 'Advance' ticket, the answer is 'No' unless it's clear that the reason you're late is because you were delayed on another train. The rule is that an Advance ticket is ONLY valid on the specified service and ONLY in the seat reserved for that journey (except, of course, where there aren't any seat reservations anyway).
The whole point of the 'Advance' ticket system is to offer passengers lower fares if they travel at off-peak times. If people could book a mid-afternoon service (at a low fare) but then simply turn up for a train in the early-evening peak (when only full price fares are offered), the system would break down.
As I've indicated above, station staff would normally authorise later travel if you could show that the reason you were late was because you'd been delayed on another train. However it's important to speak to station staff before boarding any service, otherwise you risk being charged a penalty fare on the train.
Station staff might also authorise later travel under other circumstances but they'd have to be exceptional. For example, when I was running a railway station, a family turned up for a service (using 'Advance' tickets) well after their booked train had left. However Dad showed me his police ID and explained that he'd had to finish his shift late as he'd been dealing with an incident where two young children had been killed on the pavement by a driver high on drugs. I was happy to authorise later travel but I still had to submit a written report explaining why I'd done so.
As Mushroom25 has indicated, if you'll tell us where you want to travel between, together with the date(s) and the acceptable time range(s), we'll work out the cheapest options for you.
Assuming that you're referring to an 'Advance' ticket, the answer is 'No' unless it's clear that the reason you're late is because you were delayed on another train. The rule is that an Advance ticket is ONLY valid on the specified service and ONLY in the seat reserved for that journey (except, of course, where there aren't any seat reservations anyway).
The whole point of the 'Advance' ticket system is to offer passengers lower fares if they travel at off-peak times. If people could book a mid-afternoon service (at a low fare) but then simply turn up for a train in the early-evening peak (when only full price fares are offered), the system would break down.
As I've indicated above, station staff would normally authorise later travel if you could show that the reason you were late was because you'd been delayed on another train. However it's important to speak to station staff before boarding any service, otherwise you risk being charged a penalty fare on the train.
Station staff might also authorise later travel under other circumstances but they'd have to be exceptional. For example, when I was running a railway station, a family turned up for a service (using 'Advance' tickets) well after their booked train had left. However Dad showed me his police ID and explained that he'd had to finish his shift late as he'd been dealing with an incident where two young children had been killed on the pavement by a driver high on drugs. I was happy to authorise later travel but I still had to submit a written report explaining why I'd done so.
As Mushroom25 has indicated, if you'll tell us where you want to travel between, together with the date(s) and the acceptable time range(s), we'll work out the cheapest options for you.
PS:
The ONLY website you should be checking for times and fares is this one:
http://
Third-party sites (such as Trainline) can't offer anything cheaper and usually add on a booking fee as well.
The ONLY website you should be checking for times and fares is this one:
http://
Third-party sites (such as Trainline) can't offer anything cheaper and usually add on a booking fee as well.
The National Rail website is coming up with these times and prices (all for 'Advance' tickets):
Taking the RailAir Coach to Reading and then a train to Taunton:
Depart 1725, arrive 1948, £49.50
Depart 1825, arrive 2054, £35.50
Taking a train Paddington and then one to Taunton:
Depart 1757, arrive 2046, £44.50
Given the possibility of a delayed flight, and the lowest fare, I'd be tempted to allow time for a coffee at Heathrow and then take the 1825 coach+train route. However, if you're going that way anyway, you can still do it cheaper, as follows:
If you book the RailAir coach at least two months before travel, the fare from Heathrow to Reading is just £15.00. You need to specify your date of travel when booking but not the specific service which you'll be travelling on. There are departures from Terminal 5 to Reading as follows:
1705 (arr 1754)
1725 (arr 1814)
1745 (arr 1834)
1805 (arr 1854)
Any of those services gets you to Reading in time for the 1903 train to Taunton, which is the first of several offered at just £13.00. (Arrives in Taunton at 2046).
So my recommendation is to purchase a coach ticket to Reading for £15.00 and an Advance ticket on the 1903 service from Reading to Taunton for £13.00, making £28.00 in total. If your plane is on time (and you take the first coach to Reading) you'll have time for a coffee and a sandwich at Reading Station (or, better still, a drink at The Three Guineas pub, which is built into the station!). If your flight is slightly delayed you'll still arrive at Reading in time to catch your train.
Book your coach ticket here:
http://
and your rail ticket here:
http://
Whatever you choose, don't leave it until the last minute as the off-peak 'walk up' fare is £51.00 via Reading or £65.40 via Paddington!
Taking the RailAir Coach to Reading and then a train to Taunton:
Depart 1725, arrive 1948, £49.50
Depart 1825, arrive 2054, £35.50
Taking a train Paddington and then one to Taunton:
Depart 1757, arrive 2046, £44.50
Given the possibility of a delayed flight, and the lowest fare, I'd be tempted to allow time for a coffee at Heathrow and then take the 1825 coach+train route. However, if you're going that way anyway, you can still do it cheaper, as follows:
If you book the RailAir coach at least two months before travel, the fare from Heathrow to Reading is just £15.00. You need to specify your date of travel when booking but not the specific service which you'll be travelling on. There are departures from Terminal 5 to Reading as follows:
1705 (arr 1754)
1725 (arr 1814)
1745 (arr 1834)
1805 (arr 1854)
Any of those services gets you to Reading in time for the 1903 train to Taunton, which is the first of several offered at just £13.00. (Arrives in Taunton at 2046).
So my recommendation is to purchase a coach ticket to Reading for £15.00 and an Advance ticket on the 1903 service from Reading to Taunton for £13.00, making £28.00 in total. If your plane is on time (and you take the first coach to Reading) you'll have time for a coffee and a sandwich at Reading Station (or, better still, a drink at The Three Guineas pub, which is built into the station!). If your flight is slightly delayed you'll still arrive at Reading in time to catch your train.
Book your coach ticket here:
http://
and your rail ticket here:
http://
Whatever you choose, don't leave it until the last minute as the off-peak 'walk up' fare is £51.00 via Reading or £65.40 via Paddington!
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