Advice needed for Staplehurst - Birmingham New Street

[hozza94]

I need to go from SPU to BHM on the 16th July arriving before 1030 (peak !) and leave on the 19th July leaving after 1200. So far I have tried thetrainline.com and lastminute.raileasy.co.uk The prices given by the two sites are different and I just want to know what is the cheapest option. (And I want to go 1st on the way back, is the VT one good?)

I have a YP railcard and a 16+ oyster for underground

 

[island]

Neither of those sites will give you the cheapest price.
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I get £39 easily, £11.55 more to go back in Virgin First, and can get lower again with some slightly dubious tickets. What were you getting?

 

[SickyNicky]

If you want a flexible ticket, it's worth remembering that with your railcard you can buy an Off Peak ticket from London to Birmingham and use it in the peak.

You would, however, need a separate ticket to get from Staplehurst to Euston.

 

[island]

If you want a flexible ticket, it's worth remembering that with your railcard you can buy an Off Peak ticket from London to Birmingham and use it in the peak.

You would, however, need a separate ticket to get from Staplehurst to Euston.

And the flexible ticket's no good for first class.

 

[Paul Kelly]

The Super Off-Peak return via High Wycombe is also worth considering at £29.70. No restrictions at all on the Staplehurst to London leg, no morning peak restrictions out of London and no evening peak restrictions into London.

 

[hozza94]

So... where do I buy those tickets exactly? I am not rushed for it since there is still 2 months. I was getting something like 60quid. How long does the chiltern service take compare to VT?

 

[yorkie]

You can buy the ticket at Staplehurst [[stn]SPU[/stn]] station ticket office, or the ticket machine, on the day of travel. If you prefer, you can buy it in advance at any station, or online, the price will be the same (unless you use a website that charges a booking fee, in which case it'll cost more!)

Simply ask for the Off Peak Return via High Wycombe.

There are no peak restrictions out of Stapenhurst on the Route High Wycombe ticket, though some staff who don't know how to look up restrictions (due to poor training) may think otherwise, in which case simply ask them to look up the restriction code.

The journey time is not much longer than from Euston; it's a lot faster than it used to be. Aim for one of the 'loco hauled' trains for extra comfort, if times suit you. All the trains from Marylebone to Birmingham go via High Wycombe, as long as the train goes via that route then the ticket is valid, they don't need to call there.

 

[transportphoto]

I recommend either www.redspottedhanky.co.uk - no extra booking fees and you can get loyalty points (see the site), www.takethetrain.co.uk, free MP3 downloads from 7digital with every ticket purchased, or any of the train operating companies sites, such as www.eastcoast.co.uk - www.southernrailway.co.uk etc

TP

 

[lemonic]

I recommend either www.redspottedhanky.co.uk - no extra booking fees and you can get loyalty points (see the site), www.takethetrain.co.uk, free MP3 downloads from 7digital with every ticket purchased, or any of the train operating companies sites, such as www.eastcoast.co.uk - www.southernrailway.co.uk etc

TP

TakeTheTrain no longer gives free MP3 Downloads, at least I don't think it does as there is no longer a mention of it on the homepage.

 

[hozza94]

Found the right ticket. Just 29.70 return with railcard... what a bargain!

 

[transportphoto]

Found the right ticket. Just 29.70 return with railcard... what a bargain!

You can buy that ticket on the day from the ticket office / from the ticket machine, there is no need to buy in advance, especially 2 months in advance

TP