Train Fares

[Caran]

How do I find the cheapest rail fare from Gloucester to London in July?

[DaisyNonna]

With difficulty

[sunny-dave]

You can only usually book about 3 months ahead - so it will be April before you can get a really accurate fare.

To get an idea though, use National Rail Enquiries to price up a journey on the same day of the week as you plan to travel - but pick a random date in May (avoiding any bank holiday weeks) rather than July.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

[boxtops]

I use that site which sd's posted, but you can also get a quote from your railway station. Usually there are only a few tickets at the cheapest prices so you have to move fast, 12 weeks before you intend to travel, and you can only travel on the trains at times specified on the ticket (so if you miss one, you have to pay the diference).

[baza]

most cheap fares are released 3 months in advance, nat rail enquiries on t internet or go to your local station ( off peak) and the ticket office staff should help you.

[sunny-dave]

An off-peak (flexible) return looks to be about £48 (less any railcard discount).

But there are advance tickets (for specific trains) as low as £6 or £9 each way.

As Boxy says, these sell out very quickly so you need to book as early as the system will allow you (usually about 12 weeks ahead).

[boxtops]

when we went to Scotland before Christmas, we were told that if we'd booked earlier, our £200 ticket price could have been as low as £50 for both of us.

[Maydup]

And when you do book, check that two singles isn't cheaper than a return, it generally is.

[Buenchico]

Please see my answer here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question1209707.html#answer-7670119

As S-D states, it's too earlt to book at the moment but here are a few fares for guidance:
A Standard Anytime Return ticket costs £152.00 on the direct route (or £187.00 via Bristol Parkway).
A Standard Off-Peak Return ticket costs £48.50 on direct services (£53.50 or £60.50 on connecting services)
Advance Single tickets are available (in limited numbers, on off-peak services only) at £9 each way.

[Caran]

Thanks folks some good suggestions there.