Are advance singles ever cheaper closer to date of travel?

[chrisp37]

I’m looking at booking Euston to Aberystwyth on Sat 28 June 2025, departing at 8.38 and arriving at 13.22, changing at Birmingham International. Current price for 2 adults with a Two Together Railcard is showing as £57.90. I noticed that the same journey on Sat 14 June 2025 is available for £41.90. Is it the case that advance singles ever or often get cheaper nearer the time or is it unlikely that the tickets for 28 June will go below £57.90? Just wondering whether it’s worth holding off booking for another week or two.

From my own experience I‘ve only ever known advances getting more expensive closer to the date of travel rather than cheaper.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It can happen but it's unusual. If you're happy with the price now I'd get it booked.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd also note that an Off Peak Return is £106 - so if you're going both ways within a month you would probably be better off buying this than Advances, and its existence as a price cap might make you willing to wait to see if there are any cuts.

 

[AM9]

It can happen but it's unusual. If you're happy with the price now I'd get it booked.

There was a thread about this a few months ago, somebody complaining that the prices shouldn't have gone down below the price that they had paid. I agree with you, the price is clearly shown, take it or leave it.

 

[chrisp37]

I'd also note that an Off Peak Return is £106 - so if you're going both ways within a month you would probably be better off buying this than Advances, and its existence as a price cap might make you willing to wait to see if there are any cuts.

Thanks. We’re actually doing a bit of a tour round North Wales (London - Aberystwyth - Porthmadog - Caernarfon - Llandudno - Wrexham - London) so we need a series of singles. But worth knowing for future reference!

 

[Dirty_Mac]

Thanks. We’re actually doing a bit of a tour round North Wales (London - Aberystwyth - Porthmadog - Caernarfon - Llandudno - Wrexham - London) so we need a series of singles. But worth knowing for future reference!

Have you considered the Ffestiniog Round Robin? It seems perfect for your itinerary.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Have you considered the Ffestiniog Round Robin? It seems perfect for your itinerary.

How long is that valid for? The link doesn't say but I thought (possibly incorrectly) it was just for one day, i.e. a replacement for the ability to use the old North and Mid Wales Day Ranger to do that journey.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

How long is that valid for?

The 'Ffestiniog Round Robin' product is normally only ever valid for the one day.

 

[Trackman]

Have you considered the Ffestiniog Round Robin? It seems perfect for your itinerary.

Never heard of this before, thanks.

Out of curiosity, how long would it take to complete a circuit?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Never heard of this before, thanks.

Out of curiosity, how long would it take to complete a circuit?

At least eight and a bit hours, even with optimum connections, and depending on direction of travel. Probably longer than that.

 

[MrJeeves]

Never heard of this before, thanks.

Out of curiosity, how long would it take to complete a circuit?

Sounds like I got lucky doing it first time! Took about 14 hours in total, and I went the other way around the loop.

Had a nice 45 minute walk around Blaenau, and a stop at a local fish and chips shop by the Co-op.

My post above has my timings for the journey (if you follow it to the thread)