Getting to grips with British trains

An interesting article in The Independent reported how queues at train station ticket offices are longer during the quieter 'off-peak' travel times, even while automatic ticket machines stand empty. The reason? Many people find the ticketing machines too complicated!

Put off by unfamiliar jargon or unhappy with the fares quoted to them, they are storming off to join other travellers at the ticketing window, often missing their intended train in the process. The one consolation? Ticket-selling staff are obliged to sell the cheapest ticket possible, whereas many people using the ticketing machines are paying over the odds because they don't fully understand the options.

That doesn't mean standing in line at the ticket booth allows you to walk onto the next train after paying a cheap fare. The ticketing system in Britain works like this:-

ANYTIME FARES
A ticket bought at this price is fully flexible and is valid on any train at any time to and from your destination. You'll also pay a fortune for this, which is why it's aimed at business travellers with expense accounts who want the convenience of boarding any train they like after their high-powered meetings. Throw in first class travel as well and you can easily pay £399 for a trip from Manchester to London and back (for that price, I'd expect the train to wait for me - after all, a taxi would probably be cheaper).

OFF-PEAK FARES
This is the easiest way to slash the train fare if you must walk up to the counter and buy your ticket on the day you travel. The ticket does not allow you to travel during the rush-hour period (usually Monday-Friday before 9.30am). However, this is extended until 10.30am for weekday travel to London (so there is no cheap way to leave Manchester and reach London before noon) PLUS travel OUT of London from 3pm-7pm. No, I don't know anyone who leaves the office at 3pm either, but that's apparently when London's rush hour starts. If you can arrange your travel plans outside these hours, a return trip to London from Manchester and back in standard class drops to £66.

ADVANCE FARES
The simplest and cheapest option, as long as you have made plans weeks in advance and can commit to travelling at a set time. The ticket is non-refundable and only a certain number of seats are available, so you have to book these 4-6 weeks in advance. So if you fancy a trip to London from Manchester in October, by booking today you could end up paying as little as £16 for return travel. There is no need to call in at the ticket office either, just click over to my favourite train ticketing site, EastCoast (which despite the name sells tickets for all trains in the UK, without charging booking or delivery fees either). It's certainly easier than trying to work out a ticket machine!