Cheapest fares from Ormskirk to London (via Liverpool)

[thames]

Looking for some advice please.

What is the cheapest way to get return from Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston.

Going to be starting a job soon. Need to go down once a week. Getting into Euston around 9.30pm would be good as I need to do a short tube ride. Prices on avanti/trainline look a lot. Should I be booking 4 weeks in advance?

I live in Ormskirk so will factor in the half hour or so train trip into liverpool.

 

[DanielDeronda]

What time are you coming back & do you have any Railcards?

And is it 9:30am that you need to arrive on London?

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

You need to factor in the price from Ormskirk to Liverpool too - unless you have a ticket already? If so, tell us what that is, as it may help.

What time are you coming back from London? Is it the same day? If so, it's unlikely to be viable on the slower, cheaper routes because of the travelling time, especially once you factor in getting to/from Ormskirk. That's £8.50 return, assuming you're coming back the same day.

You may also find it beneficial to go Ormskirk-Preston-London at certain times of the day, so give us a bit more information.

The cheapest fares are generally available from 12-16 weeks (not 4 weeks), but fares can go up and down depending on demand and popularity, so this can't be relied upon.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@thames. Just to clarify, are you looking to arrive into London at 9.30 a.m. (in the morning) or 9.30 p.m. (in the evening)? This will likely have a big difference on the cheapness of the available fares. Also, when are you planning on returning to Liverpool Lime St/Ormskirk?

 

[lfc84]

Without looking at the logistics of the Ormskirk bit, I would have a look at Warrington or Manchester as departure points in addition to Liverpool. Manchester has more trains per hour and Warrington has different trains to Liverpool. So look at all three of doable and you'll get a bigger variety of trains. If you're not in any rush at all look at London Northwestern from Lime St in addition to Avanti

 

[urbophile]

Without looking at the logistics of the Ormskirk bit, I would have a look at Warrington or Manchester as departure points in addition to Liverpool. Manchester has more trains per hour and Warrington has different trains to Liverpool. So look at all three of doable and you'll get a bigger variety of trains. If you're not in any rush at all look at London Northwestern from Lime St in addition to Avanti

I can see that going via Preston from Ormskirk might work, but how do you sensibly get to Warrington or Manchester from Ormskirk without going via Liverpool?

 

[Hadders]

Liverpool Lime Street to Euston London Northwestern Trains only Super Off Peak Return £44.10.. You'd need to change at Crewe or Stafford as there are no direct LNR trains between Liverpool and London.

You would need to factor in the cost and time of getting from Ormskirk to Liverpool. Also, the super off peak has heavy restriction on when it can be used.

 

[lfc84]

I can see that going via Preston from Ormskirk might work, but how do you sensibly get to Warrington or Manchester from Ormskirk without going via Liverpool?

Drive

 

[HST43257]

For the cheapest fares, avantisuperfare.co.uk offers a flat rate of £15 single from Liverpool to London, and you can select to leave Liverpool within the 1700-2100 bracket, somewhere close to your 2130 request (or later)

If you mean 0930, that’s a much tougher story

 

[mad_rich]

For the cheapest fares, avantisuperfare.co.uk offers a flat rate of £15 single from Liverpool to London, and you can select to leave Liverpool within the 1700-2100 bracket, somewhere close to your 2130 request (or later)

If you mean 0930, that’s a much tougher story

This seems like an excellent shout, if the OP can be flexible with arrival time.

If you choose the 1700-2100 slot, there's only a limited number of trains you could be given. Departing Liverpool somewhere between 1743 and 2051 today, for example. (The latter would get you in to London at nearly midnight, so you'd have to be prepared to accept that.)

In fact, I'd be tempted to try this, and wouldn't mind throwing the ticket away (and £15 down the drain) if necessary.

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

This seems like an excellent shout, if the OP can be flexible with arrival time.

If you choose the 1700-2100 slot, there's only a limited number of trains you could be given. Departing Liverpool somewhere between 1743 and 2051 today, for example. (The latter would get you in to London at nearly midnight, so you'd have to be prepared to accept that.)

In fact, I'd be tempted to try this, and wouldn't mind throwing the ticket away (and £15 down the drain) if necessary.

There is a way to get an (almost) guaranteed steer on what service will likely be offered (or at least, NOT offered), as part of the Superfare, surprised some forum members haven't cottoned on to it yet, unless it's being kept hush!

 

[JBuchananGB]

Have you thought of driving to Burscough Bridge, then train to Wigan Wallgate change to Wigan NW, then Euston. Depart Burscough 1846, arrive Euston 2120. Could be done next Tuesday for £46.50. If you really meant to get there 0930, then you'll need to book ahead. For example depart Burscough 06.19 on 26 November, arrive Euston 09.12 is available for £63.50.
There is a 25 minute wait at Wigan, so it could be quicker/cheaper to drive to Wigan, but then you have to pay for the car park as well.

 

[Llandudno]

Have you thought of driving to Burscough Bridge, then train to Wigan Wallgate change to Wigan NW, then Euston. Depart Burscough 1846, arrive Euston 2120. Could be done next Tuesday for £46.50. If you really meant to get there 0930, then you'll need to book ahead. For example depart Burscough 06.19 on 26 November, arrive Euston 09.12 is available for £63.50.
There is a 25 minute wait at Wigan, so it could be quicker/cheaper to drive to Wigan, but then you have to pay for the car park as well.

There is every likelihood that Northern will cancel either the outward or return (or both!) legs between Burscough and Wigan.

Far too risky in my opinion if needing to be London at a specific time, however if you do risk it and are delayed you could end up getting all your money back…every cloud!

 

[urbophile]

Have you thought of driving to Burscough Bridge, then train to Wigan Wallgate change to Wigan NW, then Euston. Depart Burscough 1846, arrive Euston 2120. Could be done next Tuesday for £46.50. If you really meant to get there 0930, then you'll need to book ahead. For example depart Burscough 06.19 on 26 November, arrive Euston 09.12 is available for £63.50.
There is a 25 minute wait at Wigan, so it could be quicker/cheaper to drive to Wigan, but then you have to pay for the car park as well.

Quite an assumption that the OP has a car/ can drive. Not everyone can, or wishes to. Irrespective of the cost of parking.

 

[Djgr]

Have you thought of driving to Burscough Bridge, then train to Wigan Wallgate change to Wigan NW, then Euston. Depart Burscough 1846, arrive Euston 2120. Could be done next Tuesday for £46.50. If you really meant to get there 0930, then you'll need to book ahead. For example depart Burscough 06.19 on 26 November, arrive Euston 09.12 is available for £63.50.
There is a 25 minute wait at Wigan, so it could be quicker/cheaper to drive to Wigan, but then you have to pay for the car park as well.

And whilst we are on this topic, the car park at Wigan Wallgate is much cheaper than the one at Wigan North Western.

 

[AlterEgo]

Quite an assumption that the OP has a car/ can drive. Not everyone can, or wishes to. Irrespective of the cost of parking.

The vast majority of adults drive, it’s hardly an unreasonable assumption.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

The vast majority of adults drive, it’s hardly an unreasonable assumption.

But a substantial minority don't (or at least don't have a driving licence): a quick google gives https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures...ehicles/latest/#by-ethnicity-driving-licences which suggests that around a quarter of people over 17 don't have a licence.

(Edited - 75 to 17. Due to trying to post here at same time as doing dayjob)

 

[thames]

@thames. Just to clarify, are you looking to arrive into London at 9.30 a.m. (in the morning) or 9.30 p.m. (in the evening)? This will likely have a big difference on the cheapness of the available fares. Also, when are you planning on returning to Liverpool Lime St/Ormskirk?

It is 9.30am in the morning. Planning to return to Liverpool lime street for 7pm and then get onwards train from liverpool central.

For the cheapest fares, avantisuperfare.co.uk offers a flat rate of £15 single from Liverpool to London, and you can select to leave Liverpool within the 1700-2100 bracket, somewhere close to your 2130 request (or later)

If you mean 0930, that’s a much tougher story

it is 9.30am into London euston I need....

Liverpool Lime Street to Euston London Northwestern Trains only Super Off Peak Return £44.10.. You'd need to change at Crewe or Stafford as there are no direct LNR trains between Liverpool and London.

You would need to factor in the cost and time of getting from Ormskirk to Liverpool. Also, the super off peak has heavy restriction on when it can be used.

What are the timings with these?

It ses Stafford is a 5 minute crossover time for the next train. Is this doobale? Not sure what platforms they come on?

I can see that going via Preston from Ormskirk might work, but how do you sensibly get to Warrington or Manchester from Ormskirk without going via Liverpool?

Same question from me. Preston has previously never seemed reliable to me so I have stuck with Liverpool...

 

[Statto]

It ses Stafford is a 5 minute crossover time for the next train. Is this doobale? Not sure what platforms they come on?
.

The 5 minute connection at Stafford is completely doable, i've made it myself a few times, P3 & P4 at Stafford is an island platform, Euston to Crewe trains tend to use P3, Birmingham to Liverpool trains use P4, use likes of Traksy to keep updated with train times.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@thames. Just to clarify, are you looking to arrive into London at 9.30 a.m. (in the morning) or 9.30 p.m. (in the evening)? This will likely have a big difference on the cheapness of the available fares. Also, when are you planning on returning to Liverpool Lime St/Ormskirk?

It is 9.30am in the morning. Planning to return to Liverpool lime street for 7pm and then get onwards train from liverpool central.

Same day return could be done on a Friday. Walk up fare is then £108.90 (before any applicable railcard discount) from Ormskirk to London Terminals. You'd need to leave Ormskirk at 0551, arriving Liverpool Central at 0627. Up to Liverpool Lime Street for the 0643 Avanti to London Euston, arriving London Euston at 0857. Possible trains back from London Euston at 1943 and 2043. Should eventually be back in Ormskirk (after changing at Liverpool Central) at around 2259 or 2359. Long day!

Have to say that, IMHO, what you're planning isn't really do-able or affordable if travelling Mon-Thurs (unless overnighting in or near London) or using the slow trains from Liverpool towards London Euston (i.e. non Avanti).

 

[Statto]

It is 9.30am in the morning. Planning to return to Liverpool lime street for 7pm and then get onwards train from liverpool central.


it is 9.30am into London euston I need....

If you're taking this Monday to Friday, 09.00 would be start of the standard off peak fare which is £57.80 for LNWR

The LNWR journey planner gives
09.08 Liverpool to Crewe, then 10.13 Crewe to Euston you arrive at Euston at 12.24, you have a 20 minute wait at Crewe

From Euston you can catch any xx46 train from 09.46 onwards to Stafford or Crewe, trains are hourly with the last one at 19.46 is the last LNWR to Crewe, 22.32 is the last LNWR Crewe to Liverpool train arrive at Liverpool 23.17, you have a 38 minute wait at Crewe

 

[Mcr Warrior]

The LNWR journey planner gives
09.08 Liverpool to Crewe, then 10.13 Crewe to Euston you arrive at Euston at 12.24, you have a 20 minute wait at Crewe

Believe the OP is looking at an arrival time into Euston by 9.30 a.m. An early-afternoon arrival would be far too late.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

@thames - just to confirm: are you able to drive to Wigan/Warrington/wherever which might offer alternatives to the Liverpool route?

 

[Statto]

Believe the OP is looking at an arrival time into Euston by 9.30 a.m. An early-afternoon arrival would be far too late.

Ahh i see, in that case the anytime return for LNWR only is £149.10 (otherwise it's £342.60 for an anytime return on AWC) the OP would have to get the 06.10 from Liverpool to Crewe, then 07.13 from Crewe to Euston, arrive at Euston 09.28

 

[185]

Get a mega cheap advance late the night before and stay in Milton Keynes, often £25 a night if you use Trivago or Google Maps hotel search. Cheap advance for the next morning from Keynes to Euston.

 

[JBuchananGB]

Reverting back to the "via Wigan" option, but looking at public transport. There is a bus at 05.40 from Ormskirk Bus station, arrive Wigan railway stations 06.49. Then the 07.12 train from Wigan NW gets to Euston at 0912. Return departure Euston 18.30 or 19.30, Wigan at 20.25 or 21.25, the bus to Ormskirk. Unfortunately the bus from Wigan to Ormskirk is timed to depart at 20.31 or 21.31 at Wigan NW station. This is a bit tight. Just looking at options. Trains arrive Preston 15 minutes later, and there is a bus from Preston to Ormskirk at 21.10 arriving Ormskirk 22.12.

 

[thames]

@thames - just to confirm: are you able to drive to Wigan/Warrington/wherever which might offer alternatives to the Liverpool route?

Yes I have car. Live in ormskirk.

Same day return could be done on a Friday. Walk up fare is then £108.90 (before any applicable railcard discount) from Ormskirk to London Terminals. You'd need to leave Ormskirk at 0551, arriving Liverpool Central at 0627. Up to Liverpool Lime Street for the 0643 Avanti to London Euston, arriving London Euston at 0857. Possible trains back from London Euston at 1943 and 2043. Should eventually be back in Ormskirk (after changing at Liverpool Central) at around 2259 or 2359. Long day!

Have to say that, IMHO, what you're planning isn't really do-able or affordable if travelling Mon-Thurs (unless overnighting in or near London) or using the slow trains from Liverpool towards London Euston (i.e. non Avanti).

I would be going to london and back one day a week only

Ahh i see, in that case the anytime return for LNWR only is £149.10 (otherwise it's £342.60 for an anytime return on AWC) the OP would have to get the 06.10 from Liverpool to Crewe, then 07.13 from Crewe to Euston, arrive at Euston 09.28

6.10 from liverpool would be a challenge as I need to go from Ormskirk to liverpool central first then make short 5 min walk to lierpool lime street

 

[JBuchananGB]

I really do recommend the short drive from Ormskirk to Wigan and catch the 07.12 from Wigan North Western. Then maybe the 18.30 back. It's never going to be cheap. Can be done on 13 November for £170 with advance singles, or down to £131 if come back on the 20.33. This compares well to the Anytime return fare of £347.80. Even from Southport I have done the drive to Wigan to catch the train for a day trip to London.

 

[gray1404]

Rather then waste the time on Merseyrail, could you drive to Crewe and jump on a LNWR service to Euston? Then combine either LNWR Advances or a LNWR Anytime Single and LNWR Off Peak Single.

 

[Haywain]

I would be going to london and back one day a week only

If your one day a week could be a Friday you would benefit from Avanti having off-peak fares all day, which would save a lot of money.