We live in Holland and haven't been on an English train for ages. We're planning to pop over for a week staying in Suffolk. I was thinking of a day trip to London, perhaps by car to Ipswich then train to London. If we just turn up at the station and buy an off peak day return will we get fleeced rotten? Do we need to book in advance? I don't like the idea of tying us down to particular departure times.

I'd be grateful for any advice.

You could try National Rail enquiries, on the net. Usually you can get cheaper prices on line. There is also the Train Line, which does cheap fares.

if you visit London for more than 1 day, buy an Oyster prepayment card for all bus/tube/local rail travel.( at tube station with CC or at many local shops)

or you can buy a 1 day railcard, often with your train tickets.

www.tfl.org.uk

Thanks for the tips. If I buy a ticket online, do I need to be able to print it out? We shall probably have internet access but certainly no printer.

Find out who the train operating company is and see if they have cheap deals on their own website. I went from York to London (200miles or so) and return, on almost-peak time trains (and non-stop both ways) earlier this year for £5 each way, using East Coast trains' own website to book... just before they were replaced by the new lot unfortunately. God only knows what a "turn up and travel" ticket would be for that same journey, I shudder to think.

Using the same method I've also been for days out to Glasgow for £15 each way, and Edinburgh for the same amount.

Those trip were all booked in advance - the earliest you can book is 12 weeks before I believe. It pays to shop around. I know it's not ideal to be tied to a particular train but believe me it's worth it.

Good luck with the fares minefield though.

You can go on the train company websites and put in dummy  journeys
to see what the fares will be, eg Anglia trains (I think) and they will show fares
for different times of day, also if you travel at weekends I think most fares are
offpeak.

Railwaygun is right about getting an Oyster card.

On London Transport buses you can no longer pay the fares in cash, you have to have an Oyster card or a UK Credit card (I understand some none UK issued cards do not appear to work).

Also they are removing the Ticket Offices in most Underground Stations and you will have to buy tickets from a machine.

Ray

Buy in advance and split your journey's tickets if you can.  Two fares from Crewe to Aberdeen cost £256.  Crewe to Lancaster = £72; Lancaster to Edinburgh Haymarket = £22; Haymarket to Aberdeen = £26. Less than half the price and you travel on the same trains!

http://www.splityourticket.co.uk/

Quote from: keithfre on April 29, 2015, 10:23:24 PM
Thanks for the tips. If I buy a ticket online, do I need to be able to print it out? We shall probably have internet access but certainly no printer.

You get a code in an email  which is input into the station ticket machine - the tickets are then printed for you - don't leave any behind!

I just looked at the specific price for Ipswich to London (return) on a weekday, including an all day Travelcard which covers all buses, DLR, Underground  and Overground trains and trams in zones 1 to 6 for £45.10 per adult.