Does anyone use this? I have to go to London on 14th (pensioners' Christmas lunch), to Blackfriars and then Tower Hill. Are there any day concessions for oldies?
This is the only way i ever book rail tickets. Ideally you will have the 'old gits' card - £70 for 3 years to get you a third off. Actually going up to Leeds from Peterborough Friday through Trainline.
I am going to try using the Elizabeth Line from Reading to Central London later this month, as it costs a lot more going by train even when I tried to book well ahead as in 12 weeks in advance.
In addition, I have concerns about future unforeseeable strikes affecting trains.
The drive to Reading is longer compared with the drive to Chippenham, and the parking is more expensive too, however, that's because my trip is mid-week and more expensive. However, the savings in using Elizabeth Line is worth the try, especially at weekends.
This route has been recommended to me more than once, hence I am going to give it a go.
DK
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Thanks, not worth getting a Railcard as I only travel by train once a year. I have discovered that I can get a no. 15 bus from City Thameslink station (near St Paul's) to Tower Hill. Thanks Franbee, I would never have thought of the (free to me) bus otherwise...all the years I have been using the underground.
We tended to use the underground before we had bus passes as the journey is often quicker, however you can do a lot of walking up and down the corridors.
The bus is good because you can often pick it up outside your station, and you get a better view of your journey.
If you have to use the underground infrequently, use a contactless card to 'swipe' in and out, you never pay more than the day travel pass rate.
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 06/12/2023
Slightly off-topic so apologies in advance!
I am going to try using the Elizabeth Line from Reading to Central London later this month, as it costs a lot more going by train even when I tried to book well ahead as in 12 weeks in advance.
In addition, I have concerns about future unforeseeable strikes affecting trains.
The drive to Reading is longer compared with the drive to Chippenham, and the parking is more expensive too, however, that's because my trip is mid-week and more expensive. However, the savings in using Elizabeth Line is worth the try, especially at weekends.
This route has been recommended to me more than once, hence I am going to give it a go.
DK
Can't vouch for the 'out of town' bit of Elizabeth line, but done across London on it earlier this year and was very impressed, only comment would be just how packed it was even though out of peak hours - had trouble getting a seat! - I'd imagine rush hour times would be a nightmare! Only saving grace, the journey seemed rapid compared to much of the tube, so not too much time standing.
Daughter and partner had tickets booked for a show in London last weekend,train drivers strike on Saturday so no trains Sunday returning was ok .the answer was travel to Nuneaton catch the earliest train cost £5.50 each and £20 for dad to take them the next train tickets an hour later £51 each all booked through train line who text her and told her the train was on time and leaving from platform 4.
I use the Trainline quite a bit, but only for train times and routing. I am lucky to have a retired-staff pass for the travel.
I would certainly recommend the Elizabeth Line as it is very rapid in the central area compared to the Underground. Liverpool Street to Paddington we have done a few times. Nearly half an hour on the Underground, 12 minutes on the Elizabeth Line!
Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 06/12/2023
I'd never use Trainline to book tickets, they are an agent.
They make mistakes with routes and prices, they charge a booking fee and if things go wrong getting refunds can be painful.
Always book through a train operator company website (ironically some of which use Trainline systems) as it is far easier if things go wrong.
Have to say my personal experiences (over maybe 10 years) dont tally with a single word of this. I dont know how they would 'make mistakes' with routes etc.? You are doing the booking; clicking on what you require. So on that, unless i've been very lucky with them in the dozens of trips i've booked, the accuracy has been down to myself watching what i'm doing.
Refunds: ive had two to date. Both necessitated an easy 5 minute phone call, and were agreed/dished out within a few days.
Didnt know about the tesco vouchers thing. So thats a real bummer. But, it seems ive saved £20 by getting 3 years.
Agreed, I’ve never had a problem with the Trainline either, and I’ve found it excellent for routes across several English rail companies - getting to a village outside Hull from Scotland was quite convoluted, but I got a cracking circular route - out via Edinburgh & York, back over the Pennines to Carlisle. Each leg priced separately so I knew where to make the savings.
As for buying direct - ha! I went to my local station with a view to buying my chosen route at the Trainline price: he looked at it & said, “I can’t match that”.
Didn’t know about using Tesco vouchers but we’ve blown the lot on our English Heritage membership.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.