Carlisle away train tickets

[Jimmy Grimble]

Yes, I know this isn't the appropiate section of the board but no-one ever replies in the other section.

Right, Carlisle away is on Saturday the 18th of September - this is over 2 months away. Normally around this sort of time you would be able to buy advance train fares and travel on specific trains for a cheaper price. However, for some reason there appears to be no advance fares available on this date, and there hasn't been for over a week now. This isn't just specific for trains to Carlisle; I've checked a few other train journeys on the same date and there are no advance fares available for them either. It is also just specific for this date, because if you do the exact same train times a week earlier (the 11th) advance fares are still available

Does anybody know why this is? Surely there is something going wrong? I know there are a few people on here who are experts with train bookings so if they could shed some light on this it'd be much appreciated as this is rather frustrating...

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Hmm, think I may have found a solution, but I'm not 100%...

 

[Martinf]

It's because Carlisle is so far away you have to get the sleeper from Euston leaving on Thursday 16th.

 

[wizo7]

Don't have a clue! but i've managed to book advanced fares from manchester for a £12.50 return. I realise this is no help for you what-so-ever!

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Keep an eye on it - the return fare's probably haven't been uploaded yet

 

[Joe Gatting's Dad]

Tried to book a return from Bristol - you can get there OK - but impossible to get back - unless I am prepared to wait on Newport station for 8 hours. Would guess they are starting some sort of engineering work late on Saturday. Not had a problem in previous seasons.

 

[SW17]

I think there might be engineering works on that weekend coz all dates around it are available to book early

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

If there are engineering works and a replacement bus service is in operation that could explain why there are no advance fares available. A replacement bus service means that some journeys will be impossible to do unless sleeping overnight at one of the stations.

 

[malcolmposkettspockets]

Trains from Scotland look ok !

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Just checked and I can't get an advanced price either for the whole journey but last year I broke up the journey with single advance tickets only to come unstuck when the train from Kings Cross was 20 minutes late at Donny and we missed the connection at Leeds and had to go via Preston instead of Appleby which cost £20 extra than if I had paid for a return ticket on the day.

 

[Beach Hut]

Don't think there are engineering works as it gives direct trains to and from London.

 

[brakespear]

Seems to work OK (unless I'm missing something) via First Great Western

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I dont have a Phd in operational research so I am unable to find the cheapest rail tickets. Sorry I cannot be of help.

 

[Foolg]

Can get 1 aduly + 1 child on Family Railcard for £30 ish return. Problem is that the return train is at 5.09, and any train after that is £30 more.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

£102 for 6 tickets in the end

 

[Notters]

Driving there and back in a day makes you a real man

 

[wizo7]

£102 for 6 tickets in the end

Thats an amazing price!!
How on earth did you get that?

 

[Simster]

£102 for 6 tickets in the end

Conboy, how did you get that? We're going, so please give us some advice!

Cheers!

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

Driving there and back in a day makes you a real man

I admire your courage!

 

[Joe Gatting's Dad]

Managed to find a train from Bristol to Carlisle and back being diverted and adding 25 minutes to get to Birmingham - and one back at six o'clock to Bristol at 2310. Only £43 return as opposed to Sheffield for £48! - does not make sense.