I want to get a train from Portsmouth to London for 2 adults and 2 children, is it cheaper to buy in advance?

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tutormike

This depends whether you are travelling from Waterloo or Victoria.

There may be reduced advanced purchase fares from Waterloo, but I rather doubt there will be over the Christmas period.

The fact that you are 2 Adults and 2 children, and travelling offpeak
means that you can get a GroupSave ticket
from Waterloo in which 2 adults and two children pay the same price as 2 adults.

The service from Waterloo is faster and more frequent than that from Victoria, however the Victoria Southern Service will be cheaper, and the GroupSave also applies, and would cost Â£36 for the 4 of you.
On Southern, you can purchase tickets in advanced, but they are not any cheaper than buying them on the day.

You do need to check whether there are any line repairs occuring on the day you wish to travel.

colin411550

Yes! I live in Greater Manchester and I went down to London on Saturday on Virgin Trains for just 25 pounds-two single tickets at 12-50p each. I booked in September, and I clicked onto the bargain browser and saved a 130 pounds. Add to this reserved seats on what will be a crowded train, and you will have few problems with the children. OK.

Penfold

It is always cheaper to buy in advance if they have any APEX tickets left. However, some routes do not have APEX tickets. These routes are usually regarded as commuter routes so you may only get cheap day returns. Checking National Rail Enquiries http://ojp1.nationalrail.co.uk/en/pj/fa?uniqueId=14002951 the cheapest tickets total Â£48 for travel on the 9.43am train from Portsmouth arriving Victoria 12.01pm.

Added note: speak to you local train station.

*princess* *stacey*

yes its is almost half price depending on how advance u book u can book online at....
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
or u can book by phone (i would do it this way if i were u) on......08457 48 49 50.....u may also get a discount as a family ticket, (not 100% sure tho)......

paof2

I agree with my colleague above about the group save, but ask for groupsave travelcards, and for very little more you'll get the tubes and buses etc all day.

PLUS, if you travel often think about a family travelcard, or Network Southeast card.

shez

buy in advance so much cheaper than on the day and you might not get a seat on the day

coolbabe

Yes it is cheaper to buy in advance, but instead of asking people on Y!A you should go to your local train station

David S

The fastest trains from Portsmouth to London go to Waterloo
Station (not Victoria) and are operated by South West Trains
and take about 1 hour 30 minutes; there are no advance purchase tickets from Portsmouth to London except those offered under the 'Megatrain' brand on a few departures each day. You can find out about these from southwesttrains.co.uk or by telephoning 0845 6000 650. Ordinary Cheap Day Returns can be bought from the station ticket office on the day. You might be advised to purchase a railcard, a 'Family Railcard' . This costs Â£20 per year and will give you and the adults travelling with you one third off all your fares - bigger discount for the kids, on all journeys nationally after 09-30am weekdays anytime weekends.

Philip H Â©

Yep do it asap

gemma.powle

Get a family rail card and you will get so much money off the ticket :)
but yes pre-book/buy

Bex

It is cheaper to buy in advance, but as the 30th is so close to crimbo and new year it is quite unlikely there will be any cheap tickets left? (I have tried to book a cheap train for that date)

Try using www.trainline.co.uk thats always a good place to start.

dave_uk06

Yes as far in advance as possible, do it on the net :-)

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