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| | ROOT OF ALL EVIL Why do single train tickets invariably cost the same as, and sometimes more than returns? - BECAUSE if you stay where you get to, you're not likely to pay to travel there again.
R Owens, London SW19.
- If we are talking about rail fares in Britain, it is due to "Market Pricing", which was forced on British Rail around 1968 by some committee of economists. In economic terms, it segments the market into different groups of people, some of whom have to travel at specific times &/or on specific days (e.g. commuters, businessmen travelling to meetings, and those who can vary their travel time by date or time, e.g. shopping trips, visiting relatives. This means that those who have to travel at peak times are charged the "standard" fare, while others are tempted by cheaper fares, e.g. Cheap Day Returns for shoppers, mid-week returns for visiting relatives. These fares are set at whatever price will attract such passengers, and they may well be lower than the full-price single fare. In its latter days, British Rail introduced Cheap Single fares at 10p or 20p below Cheap Returns, in order to avoid this anomaly, but it is believed the privatised companies have dropped these. Charging by mileage was dropped in Briatin in 1968 - sometimes with disastrous results.
E Relton, Ilford
- I asked this of a well-known rail company but they lost my letter then didn't reply to my subsequent letter then lost my third letter when they moved office.
Paul, Brighton UK
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| FAQs
FIRSTLY, the train must return to its starting point, with or without you, and this has to be paid for. Secondly, it costs twice as much to sell you two tickets.
What is the difference between a return ticket and a one way ticket? ›
Also known as “return air tickets,” round-trip tickets are flights from and back to the same location of origin. A one-way ticket, on the other hand, only allows you to fly to your destination, not back from it.
Is a return train ticket cheaper? ›
So, when you're booking a train journey is it always cheaper to buy a return ticket, or can two single tickets work out cheaper? The answer is not straightforward: sometimes, but it varies. The price you pay for your ticket depends on a few things: How far in advance you book your ticket.
What is the meaning of anytime day single train ticket? ›
Anytime tickets have no restrictions on what time you can travel. Anytime Singles allow you to travel within 2 days of the date shown on your ticket. Most Anytime Returns are valid for 5 days from the date shown on the 'outward' portion, and the for 1 calendar month on the 'return' portion.
Is a return ticket cheaper than one way? ›
Are round-trip flights cheaper? Booking a round-trip flight can be cheaper than booking one-way tickets on the same flights. Before booking two one-way flights, check the round-trip price to see if it's cheaper.
Why are tickets different prices? ›
Tickets are actually priced by artists and teams. It's their show, they get to decide what it costs to get in. The NFL tickets on Ticketmaster were priced by the home teams, concert tickets were priced by the performer's business teams, Monster Jam tickets were priced by its producer (Feld Entertainment), and so forth.
What is the difference between return and round-trip? ›
“Return” tickets may not include layovers.
“ Round-trip” tickets, on the other hand, frequently allow for layovers, giving you the opportunity to visit multiple destinations on a single trip.
Is it better to buy a return ticket? ›
Generally speaking, a return ticket is cheaper than two single tickets because airlines often offer discounts for round-trip fares as a perk for customers to book their entire trip with them. However, there are some cases where buying two single tickets can be cheaper or more flexible than a return ticket.
What does a return ticket mean? ›
: a ticket that allows a person to travel to one place and then return back to the place he or she left.
Why are they getting rid of return train tickets? ›
'Not fit purpose' In 2021, the idea of GBR was announced as a body to replace an "overcomplicated and fragmented" system, as well as set timetables and prices, sell tickets in England and manage rail infrastructure. Mr Harper said the country's rail network was "not fit for purpose" and was "financially unsustainable".
Book weeks ahead for the cheapest fares
Contractually, Network Rail must usually have the timetable set that far ahead, and rail firms commonly release advance tickets shortly after. If you've less time before you go, it's usually best to book ASAP, as the longer you leave it, the pricier it tends to be.
How can I reduce my train ticket prices? ›
Travel at quieter times
You may have to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes. On longer distance journeys, if you travel in a peak period 1 way but want to return when it is less busy, look at a combination of Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime fares to get the best deal.
Can you get off a train before your stop? ›
You are allowed to break your journey at any point, or more than once if you wish.
What time is off-peak on trains? ›
When are Off-Peak train times? Intercity Off-Peak times: Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00. Exact times vary across routes and train companies, but in general - you'll find off-peak times outside of conventional commuter hours.
Can I get on an earlier train than booked? ›
Advance train tickets aren't flexible, so you must catch the train specified on your ticket. If you catch an earlier train, you may have to pay additional fees, so please check with ticket staff at the station.
Why are refundable tickets more expensive? ›
As the name suggests, refundable tickets are fully refundable, meaning you'll get the cash back (not a flight credit). To gain this convenience, you'll need to pay a premium, which makes these tickets more expensive than nonrefundable airline tickets.
Why are resale tickets different prices on Ticketmaster? ›
For resale tickets: the listing price is determined by the seller, which includes fans, season ticket holders, and professional resellers.
Why are there different prices for the same flight? ›
As demand increases, supply decreases and the airline revenue management algorithm automatically increases the ticket prices of the remaining seats on the aircraft. To maximize revenue, airlines use a variable pricing strategy to sell the same seat at different prices to different customers at different times.
Is it cheaper to buy multiple tickets? ›
Key Takeaways. If you purchase multiple tickets in a single transaction, the price will be the same for each of the tickets. If not enough of the lowest-cost seats are available, you'll pay a higher cost for all of the seats. Buy the tickets one at a time to make sure you get all of the lowest-cost seats available.
