Manchester - Euston, 29 Sep

[telstarbox]

Evening all,

I would like to travel from Manchester (Piccadilly) to London Euston on 29 September, leaving Manchester any time in the afternoon but arriving Euston by 6.45pm, possibly in First Class, and with a 16-25 Railcard. Is there any way of doing this cheaper than a normal Advance ticket?
I can also start from Stockport although in the past this hasn't helped.

 

[yorkie]

Yes, get a Virgin Only ticket to Stoke, and then a London Midland only Advance Single or Super Off Peak Return from Stoke to Euston.

 

[gnolife]

Splitting at Stoke-on-Trent and taking the London Midland Trent Valley Stopper (takes a day and an age though, and FC is... not good in comparison to Virgins)
Also, is First class discounted with a 16-25 RailCard?

(using Crewe instead of Stoke is actually one that I find works better, but thats just me, the professionals probably dont agree)

 

[telstarbox]

Splitting at Stoke-on-Trent and taking the London Midland Trent Valley Stopper (takes a day and an age though, and FC is... not good in comparison to Virgins)

(using Crewe instead of Stoke is actually one that I find works better, but thats just me, the professionals probably dont agree)

Cheers

Also, is First class discounted with a 16-25 RailCard?

It certainly is!

 

[yorkie]

Also, is First class discounted with a 16-25 RailCard?

Certain TOCs allow discounts on First Advance Single tickets with a 16-25 Railcard. Virgin is among them.

(using Crewe instead of Stoke is actually one that I find works better, but thats just me, the professionals probably dont agree)

Crewe will work fine, but bear in mind that the LM service from Crewe-London goes via Stoke, so this does take longer. You can bypass Stoke by changing twice, from Virgin to the LM Liverpool-Birmingham service at Crewe, and from that to the LM Crewe-London service at Stafford.

 

[tony_mac]

All first advance singles should have a 16-25 railcard discount.

16-25, Senior, HM Forces and Disabled Persons Railcard holders also get 1/3 off all First Class Advance fares.

You can bypass Stoke by changing twice, from Virgin to the LM Liverpool-Birmingham service at Crewe, and from that to the LM Crewe-London service at Stafford.

On the southbound service it doesn't make any difference as you catch the same train at Crewe - would you rather spend the time at Stafford or on a LM train?

Northbound it usually saves 30 minutes to change at Stafford.

But, I would just buy a Virgin advance single as soon as they are released. You won't get it much cheaper and it is by far the quickest journey.

 

[telstarbox]

But, I would just buy a Virgin advance single as soon as they are released. You won't get it much cheaper and it is by far the quickest journey.

Have done - going out to Warrington Central then walking to Bank Quay and getting an advance from there, as this is the cheapest FC fare I could find.

 

[AlterEgo]

Have done - going out to Warrington Central then walking to Bank Quay and getting an advance from there, as this is the cheapest FC fare I could find.

Prices from both Manchester Piccadilly and Warrington Bank Quay, First Advance with Railcard discount, start from £22.75.

If you're prepared to take a quieter train and book well in advance you will find what you need direct from Manchester. Try Virgin's Best Fare Finder:


http://www.farefinder.virgintrains.co.uk/

(you can select First Class fares in the drop down box on the results page)