Train ticket: book in advance, or on the day???

[King Herald]

I'll be flying into Thiefrow Friday morning, if all goes well, and catching the train up to the the Midlands. Not sure exactly what time I'll get to Euston.

So, is it cheaper to book an 'open' day 1st class ticket on-line today, or just buy it at the station when I get there Friday? The website doesn't seem to divulge the on-the-day price.

Not too worried about £20 or so, but if the cost doubles when you buy it on the day I'd rather know in advance.

[shakotan]

Couple of days in advance, probably no difference.

A week of more can safe a lot of money on a train ticket though.

[dugt]

sometimes i go from london to brighton on the train, turn up and buy a ticket is a bit over £20
buy oneline 3+ days before and you can get it down to £3 if you dont want to travel in rush hour.

not sure on peak times, but will definitly be cheaper if you book in advance

[King Herald]

I know that if I book a specific train I can save a hundred quid by buying a couple of days in advance, £40 first class in advance, versus over £120+ on the day. But an open all-day ticket is £140 in advance.

What I'm asking is will it cost much more than that if I simply buy the open ticket on the day.

The odd thing is it is cheaper to ride 1st class than economy, if you book in advance.

[Neil H]

If it's an open ticket, I don't think it will be any different. But who knows, train ticketing is a black art that few truly understand.

[King Herald]

Neil H said:

If it's an open ticket, I don't think it will be any different. But who knows, train ticketing is a black art that few truly understand.

Indeed, I've noticed that. If you don't know the special info, the secret handshakes, you have little chance of using the system accurately or efficiently.

[Amateurish]

What's the destination?

[Devilstreak]

I went nottingham-london a few weeks ago. On the website it was £12 but decided to get it on the day. Was £52.50.Not happy

[Neil H]

Devilstreak said:

I went nottingham-london a few weeks ago. On the website it was £12 but decided to get it on the day. Was £52.50.Not happy

School-boy error, always buy in advance if you know the time you're travelling. I travel there fairly regularly and can usually get a weekend return for £30 or so bought a week in advance.

I had to get to Notts in a hurry one Friday evening when my GF was robbed there, cost me £120 for a day return at rush hour....

[Devilstreak]

Neil H said:

Devilstreak said:

I went nottingham-london a few weeks ago. On the website it was £12 but decided to get it on the day. Was £52.50.Not happy

School-boy error, always buy in advance if you know the time you're travelling. I travel there fairly regularly and can usually get a weekend return for £30 or so bought a week in advance.

I had to get to Notts in a hurry one Friday evening when my GF was robbed there, cost me £120 for a day return at rush hour....

Yeah, but there was 10-11 of us so being the tts we are, just decided to get it there as it's easier.

[King Herald]

Amateurish said:

What's the destination?

Stafford. Anyway, it's 7am now, chopper arrives in 30 minutes, and I'm still none the wiser about the ticket, and seeing as the company will be picking up the tab, eventually, I shall just buy the ticket on the day.

I'm sure they will ask why I went first class, so I shall be armed with the excuse that economy doesn't guarantee I will even get a place to sit, and HSE department would be horrified if I had to stand up for 150 miles......

[Simon Brooks]

on line and in advance, check to 1st class options, these sometimes have great prices and also check if it is cheaper to by singles instead of a return this is also cheaper sometimes

[Amateurish]

King Herald said:

Amateurish said:

What's the destination?

Stafford. Anyway, it's 7am now, chopper arrives in 30 minutes, and I'm still none the wiser about the ticket, and seeing as the company will be picking up the tab, eventually, I shall just buy the ticket on the day.

I'm sure they will ask why I went first class, so I shall be armed with the excuse that economy doesn't guarantee I will even get a place to sit, and HSE department would be horrified if I had to stand up for 150 miles......

In your situation, advnace tickets are no good because you can't guarantee arrival time. First class on Virgin West Coast will be pricey though... London Midland do Euston - Stafford and may be much cheaper first class.

[Amateurish]

Virgin £140 1:15min
LM £60 2:05min