Durham to Saxmundham or Stowmarket

[Sidious]

Hi All,

I would be pleased if someone could come up with the best ticket price for the following journey:

Durham to Saxmundham or Stowmarket (I'm not bothered which) Out Saturday 29th June 2013, and return Wednesday 3rd July.

Departure from Durham should be mid-late morning

Return should arrive not later than 18:00

I have looked for cheapest through tickets DHM - SMK £118 OP Return Via: Not London and the same price DHM - SAX

Also cheapest non flexible tickets of £106 based on the correct departure times.

I am willing to split, and/or use obscure routes. Overall journey time is no great issue to me.

If anyone can find train tickets less than a tank of fuel in my car (£82) then the train will take the strain!

Many thanks...

 

[bb21]

Yes, it can be done for less than £82. For example,

Durham 0735 - Newark North Gate 0917 Advance: £16.65
Newark North Gate 0952 - Peterborough 1026 Advance: £7.85

Peterborough - Stowmarket Off-Peak Return: £23

Peterborough - Durham Advance: £29.40 (plenty of choices)

Total: £76.90

Bookable from www.eastcoast.co.uk and prices correct as of now.

 

[Sidious]

Thanks for the info. I'll do more research, esp. surrounding the Peterborough - Stowmarket OP Return.

Durham 0735 - Newark North Gate 0917 Advance: £16.65

Unfortunately this is far too early. Earliest I could leave would probably be 10:30

 

[bb21]

Alternatively you can do something like

Durham 1248 - Doncaster 1357 Advance: £19.50
Doncaster 1435 - Peterborough 1536 Advance: £10.20

There are a few other viable departures. Not as cheap as the earlier suggestion, but comes to £82.10 so still comparable to driving.

You might also be able to split Advances on the way back and save a few more quid but I haven't checked.

 

[Sidious]

Hmmm.

I've got it to £84.65 by using a £15 Durham Doncaster XC advance, and a £12.75 Doncaster Peterborough EC Advance, and going at the right times.

 

[sonic2009]

Use East Coast to book the tickets to gain the online discount.

Outward option 1 :

Durham dep 1148 - Doncaster arr 1257 dep 1335 - Peterborough arr 1432 dep 1443 - Norwich arr 1615 dep 1700 - Stowmarket arr 1729

£19.50 XC Advance Durham - Doncaster
£21.05 EC Advance Doncaster - Stowmarket

Cost : £40.55

Outward option 2 :

Durham dep 1248 - Doncaster arr 1357 dep 1435 - Peterborough arr 1532 dep 1545 - Ely arr 1630 dep 1640 - Stowmarket arr 1747

The last part of journey between Ely & Stowmarket is a rail replacement bus.

£19.50 XC Advance Durham - Doncaster
£16.10 EC Advance Doncaster - Stowmarket

Cost : £35.60

Return :

Stowmarket dep 1211 - Peterborough arr 1337 dep 1351 - Doncaster arr 1439 dep 1509 - Durham arr 1624

£16.10 EC Advance Stowmarket - Durham
£16.15 EC Advance Doncaster - Durham

Cost : £32.25

Total cost choosing option 1 : £72.80
Total cost choosing option 2 : £67.85

Please do note that the prices shown for the East Coast tickets include the discount as shown on the website.

 

[Sidious]

The last part of journey between Ely & Stowmarket is a rail replacement bus.

Sonic - thanks very much for your help.

This nugget of information settles it for me, I'm going by car!