Travelling in the UK

My nephew & fiance (Southampton) would like to come up to see us (Newcastle) and asked me if I could check on the net for prices etc. First she said for the weekend but knowing the time it takes and everything I suggested a week.

I've been checking and this is how it works out, only roughly cos I don't know exact dates: Train, 7 hrs £260. Coach, 10 hrs £101. Plane 1 hr £150. How ridiculous is that

The thing is the air fares are only £8 each return, but it's the taxes etc that bump it up to that. It just doesn't seem right. The train and coach times haven't changed since I used to do this trip 30 years ago

This is why i used to drive it, takes about 7 hrs. Now I use the plane if I have to make the trip.

What do others think?

cheers

 

In the business world, many people take domestic flights because they are both quicker and cheaper than using the train, and the likelihood of delays is less, and you are guaranteed a seat. It is crazy, but the train operators are so out of touch with reality.

 

Why not drive? If they are not sure of their car, surely renting a car would be cheaper than these ridiculous prices. We used to do Bucks to Lymington, Hampshire (to go to the IoW) in 2 hours. From us in Bucks to Newcastle would be approximately 3.5 hours, so a total of 5.5 hours, say 6 allowing for traffic and a break.

 

With respect, what age are they? If under 26 years of age and they wish to travel by rail, advise them to get a Young Persons Railcard. They are valid for 1 year, but cost I don't know right now. With these, they can get up to One-Third off each journey. If used regularly, the saving ends up much higher than their cost. I used to be a Ticket Inspector on the railway and always advising passengers to get Railcards where possible. Hope this is of help.

 

Sorry peeps I added an extra £100 to the air fare, oops. The train trip includes 2 or more changes including going on the london underground!

LoL, I used to to drive it all the time when I went back & forth but they haven't a car at the moment so I think renting would bring it up to the air fare price. Not too sure of my nephews driving record!

Why, when we are trying to be discouraged from flying, is this about the cheapest way to do it?

cheers

 

Just why are rail fares so confusing?

Just charge a decent price, the same for everyone and stop the concessions.

Its ridiculous, I've never like the railway, but the way they work out their fares etc. make it all a complete mystery to me.

BTW, £260 is a total rip off.

 

Yeah, you're right there Pete. I thought I must have 'ticked' first class by mistake, lol. The net at least is makes it easier to get some info now but the list of tickets is mind blowing. Why can't 'simple' people like you and me run the country

cheers

 

You mean in this day and age they still have first class?

Blimey thats a throw back to the twenties surely, sort of thing you see in Agatha Christie films.:D

Who wants a first class ticket on a slow train to where ever?:D

 

Train travel in this country IS a rip off. In Europe it's also expensive, but its fast, efficient and clean - none of that description can be applied to the train service here, apart from the extortiant price we have to pay.
Never understood the point of them still having first class carriages on "commuter trains" (by that I mean those that come up from the South Coast to London, a journey of 60 miles plus).

Am I right in thinking the price for air travel is actually £50? If so, book those tickets now! I used to book my old boss onto the red eye flight from Gatwick to Glasgow return the same day and it was faster and cheaper than the train.

 

Don't get first class on the airline I use, but they still do it on the trains alright.

Yes Aaron, if you book well in advance you can get really cheap flights. For 2 people the cost of return flights was £16.06. Then there was £68 charges outward and £35 back. then £15 each way baggage charge. Looks amazing when you see a flight for £4, then you get all the extras put on.

Bet your boss was going with BA, now there's no point me even looking at their prices!

I just hope they make it!

cheers

 

Ryanair or Easyjet?

Yes, I used BA for him. Well the company paid!

 

Hi there borrowers

I work in the rail booking office in Manchester and if you give me specific times of travel I could look for the best deal for you.

 

Thanks for that pip, I'll get back to you when I know the dates.

Aaron, FlyBE. It's the only airline that flys from Southampton to Newcastle now apart from BA of course (actually I'm not sure they do, don't even bother looking cos I know there prices are way too much for us). I flew 'business class' to Malta & back once for work! There's definately a difference, or was then.

Also I'll tell you what I've noticed since I've done the trip for a few years, it mainly did used to be business men, now you get all sorts. Stands to reason if it's not only the quickest but the cheapest.

First class - I can dream

cheers

 

Good for you Pips. I have to confess that even as an ex employee, I had forgotten about advance booking and getting it possibly a lot cheaper, with reserved seats.

Pete, were you thinking of Third Class on Agatha Christie? :hehe:

I agree that the fares should be more straightforward. When I was doing tickets back in the 1990's, there were at least 26 different Fare structures to my knowledge. Some of the restrictions were a joke as well, in fact they still are to me, but wont go into details on here.

 

Does anyone remember in 'the old days' when a return was cheaper than two singles, as it should be?
We went to London last Saturday and online the cheapest tickets to Waterloo and back was TWO SINGLES!!! Buying any rail tickets across country and online is about as confusing and frustrating as antthing I know. If I could use a plane I would.