London train prices

[Citybreak1]

I have noticed prices have increased dramatically. I have a railcard and could get two tickets for me and my partner for around £100 now it’s £250. I looked at EasyJet and it’s same price but about £500 if you want to check 2 bags in for the cabin. I wonder how people afford it I can’t even get a cheap train to Newcastle from Edinburgh now. And yes I did check in advance by 3 months.

 

[SargeNpton]

I have noticed prices have increased dramatically. I have a railcard and could get two tickets for me and my partner for around £100 now it’s £250. I looked at EasyJet and it’s same price but about £500 if you want to check 2 bags in for the cabin. I wonder how people afford it I can’t even get a cheap train to Newcastle from Edinburgh now. And yes I did check in advance by 3 months.

Have you looked at Lumo trains?

 

[skyhigh]

I have a railcard and could get two tickets for me and my partner for around £100 now it’s £250.

From where to where?

 

[Snow1964]

Unfortunately, the railway seems to have given up listing cheap tickets 3 months (12 weeks) in advance and are now releasing them 2-8 weeks in advance.

No consistency between operators, and complete apathy from rail regulator who seem to have sided with a shorter period. Sort of implies rail regulator would rather you booked cheap flights for UK longer distance travel.

 

[skyhigh]

I looked at EasyJet and it’s same price but about £500 if you want to check 2 bags in for the cabin.

So what you're really saying is the railway is actually fair value based on the alternative?

 

[Haywain]

I have noticed prices have increased dramatically. I have a railcard and could get two tickets for me and my partner for around £100 now it’s £250. I looked at EasyJet and it’s same price but about £500 if you want to check 2 bags in for the cabin. I wonder how people afford it I can’t even get a cheap train to Newcastle from Edinburgh now. And yes I did check in advance by 3 months.

To London from where, and when?

 

[Wallsendmag]

Unfortunately, the railway seems to have given up listing cheap tickets 3 months (12 weeks) in advance and are now releasing them 2-8 weeks in advance.

No consistency between operators, and complete apathy from rail regulator who seem to have sided with a shorter period. Sort of implies rail regulator would rather you booked cheap flights for UK longer distance travel.

Unless you live on the ECML where LNER are open until Friday 17th November with some exceptions

 

[Citybreak1]

To London from where, and when?

Sorry I should have said Edinburgh to London. I quickly looked at a Lumo return but it came in a similar price to LNER

 

[AlterEgo]

Sorry I should have said Edinburgh to London. I quickly looked at a Lumo return but it came in a similar price to LNER

Lumo are charging £250 for two people to go to London three months in advance?

 

[Haywain]

Sorry I should have said Edinburgh to London. I quickly looked at a Lumo return but it came in a similar price to LNER

When for?

 

[Citybreak1]

When for?

I think I checked mid august with a railcard

Lumo are charging £250 for two people to go to London three months in advance?

Yes I’m looking at around £219 with LNER. I could make this journey for £100 pre covid.

 

[Haywain]

August is the busiest time of the year for travel between London and Edinburgh due to the Fringe and the Festival. Prices will inevitably be higher because of those. Plus it's the school holiday season in England and the Scottish summer holidays run up until August 15th.

 

[Gaelan]

If you're somewhat flexible on dates, poke around a bit (especially on Trainsplit) - I was able to find prices £160, which isn't great but is a little better.

Seated tickets on the Caledonian Sleeper are also worth looking at, they can be surprisingly affordable (£30-£50/person/way with railcard) if you don't mind sleeping in a seat.

 

[Citybreak1]

Yes I paid £134 in February 2023 but I was looking to go in October and it’s £230 too. I think it’s just got very expensive?

If you're somewhat flexible on dates, poke around a bit (especially on Trainsplit) - I was able to find prices £160, which isn't great but is a little better.

Seated tickets on the Caledonian Sleeper are also worth looking at, they can be surprisingly affordable (£30-£50/person/way with railcard) if you don't mind sleeping in a seat.

Thanks I will try that

 

[AlterEgo]

I think I checked mid august with a railcard


Yes I’m looking at around £219 with LNER. I could make this journey for £100 pre covid.

In mid-August? As @Haywain says that is peak demand for Edinburgh to London; remember the Americans are back too and have loads of money to spend at the Festival/Fringe too.

I can see two people with railcard, with Lumo, for £91.10 each way.

Megabus is about a third of the price.

 

[BluePenguin]

From where to where?

Lumo trains from Newcastle to London can be as cheap as £30 one way

 

[Citybreak1]

£500 for two first class singles. I could take a private let for that.

Looking at prices with my two together railcard for October it offers £10/20 off not one third.

 

[kristiang85]

Unfortunately, the railway seems to have given up listing cheap tickets 3 months (12 weeks) in advance and are now releasing them 2-8 weeks in advance.

No consistency between operators, and complete apathy from rail regulator who seem to have sided with a shorter period. Sort of implies rail regulator would rather you booked cheap flights for UK longer distance travel.

This is incredibly annoying, as surely being organised and booking in advance means you should get the cheapest possible price?

Is there any site which can alert you when advances go on sale? I've realised my regular trips to the north have dwindled a lot this year - mainly because I found it hard to find cheap advance tickets so gave up - but it looks like I'm just looking too early then?

 

[trei2k]

Some operators have ticket alerts.

E.g. Avanti https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/tickets-and-savings/ways-to-save/ticket-alerts
LNER https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/early-bird-ticket-alerts/

You might just have to set the alert for the most significant part of the journey, particularly if it involves multiple operators.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

£500 for two first class singles. I could take a private let for that.

Private let? Private jet?

Either way, what does £500 get you?

 

[Citybreak1]

Private let? Private jet?

Either way, what does £500 get you?

Yes private jet sorry

 

[johncrossley]

It is risky to book tickets more than two weeks in advance because of train strikes. But you are unlikely to get a good ticket price at such short notice. Therefore plane and coach are the only affordable options for long distance travel at the moment.

 

[MrJeeves]

It is risky to book tickets more than two weeks in advance because of train strikes.

IMO, it's not too risky. Booking before any strikes means (a) fee-free refund if there are strikes; (b) the TOCs whose service(s) you're booked on are required to get you to your destination, even if there are strikes (though enforcing this right can be very tricky); (c) if the strikes simply mean fewer trains, the rules about any Advance tickets bought will be relaxed a fair amount, too.

 

[johncrossley]

IMO, it's not too risky. Booking before any strikes means (a) fee-free refund if there are strikes;

Refunds are little compensation if you have booked the train to London to get to Heathrow or Gatwick for a flight or concert or theatre tickets. Even if you are just seeing friends or family there is a big disappointment if you can no longer see them, particularly if you have wasted annual leave in the process. Coaches and planes will be booked out or greatly increased in price once strikes are announced, assuming they are viable alternatives.

(b) the TOCs whose service(s) you're booked on are required to get you to your destination, even if there are strikes (though enforcing this right can be very tricky)

Are you saying the striking TOC has to give you a taxi if there are no trains? I've never heard of this. Safer not to book trains more than two weeks in advance.

 

[Watershed]

Are you saying the striking TOC has to give you a taxi if there are no trains?

They would be obliged to do so (or to arrange some other mode of transport). However, I don't think any TOC is going to do so voluntarily and so realistically speaking you'll have to pay for the cost upfront and then claim back the bill afterwards - possibly through legal action. Clearly it's not a very attractive prospect.

 

[KGX]

Going down to London with LNER from the NE seems to have rocketed in August and throughout September. Not noticed any significant changes heading north, yet.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Going down to London with LNER from the NE seems to have rocketed in August and throughout September. Not noticed any significant changes heading north, yet.

You have to remember that LNER have longer booking horizons than most TOCs. So basically the cheap tickets have already gone.

 

[KGX]

You have to remember that LNER have longer booking horizons than most TOCs. So basically the cheap tickets have already gone.

No, it's not that. I travel with them every week. Something has changed.

 

[Haywain]

August is always exceptionally busy due to school holidays and the Edinburgh Festival/Fringe etc. That leads to higher prices.

 

[bob007]

£50 return for 2 people on an overnight Flixbus coach in August. £64 National Express