Off Peak Tickets - virgin trains?

Question

I'm planning on getting the train from Glasgow Central on the London Euston train (getting off at one of the stops along the way) and I was planning on buying my ticket tomorrow for the 10.40am train in January. I was wondering if I could buy the off peak train ticket for this time? Also, on the website when I scroll over it, it says "Off-peak single, this ticket is only valid for services via Carlise". I am getting a return and I have no idea if it runs through Carlisle so do I ignored this?
I am so confused with what ticket to buy (either Off-peak or advance) and would really really appreciate it if someone could clear this confusion up for me!

Answer 1

"Off-peak" is a ticket you can buy at the station on the day (you don't have to buy in advance, although you can if you want to), and is valid for ANY train that runs on that day after a certain time in the morning (7.30, I think - it will certainly be valid on the 10.40).



All Virgin trains from Glasgow Central to Birmingham and London go via Carlisle - what you CAN'T do with that ticket is travel on an East Coast or Cross Country train that goes via Edinburgh and Newcastle. A ticket valid on both the Newcastle route AND the Carlisle route to London or Birmingham would be a lot more expensive.



"Advance" is a ticket you HAVE to buy in advance (you can't buy it on the day of travel) and is valid for ONE specific train only. If you booked an advance for the 10.40 train on a specific day, and you missed that train, it would be tough luck and you would have to buy another ticket - whereas with the Off-Peak ticket, you could just wait for the next train.



Incidentally an Off-Peak Return ticket will always be cheaper than buying two off-peak singles (though not necessarily two advance singles!), and is valid for return within one month - so if you are travelling from Glasgow to "X", and intend to travel back from "X" to Glasgow less than one month later, you may want to buy an off-peak return from Glasgow to X instead of an off-peak single. With return tickets (except day returns, which have to be used the same day!) you don't have to decide the day you're coming back on the day you buy the ticket.



Also if you're booking online I suggest you book directly via the Virgin Trains website, NOT with the rip off website "thetrainline.com" which charges the exact same prices as Virgin then adds its own outrageous "booking fees", "card fees", "collection fees" etc. on top!

Answer 2

Virgin Trains Off Peak Times

Answer 3

Off Peak Virgin Trains

Answer 4

A plain off-peak ticket is valid on any off-peak train (obviously subject to restrictions such as 'via Carlisle' if stated on the ticket).



An advance ticket usually stipulates a certain train you MUST travel on, but is usually much cheaper than any other form of ticket.



If you are okay with HAVING to travel on a particular train, go for an advance, it's much cheaper. However, if you need the flexibility you need to pay for the off-peak ticket.



Regarding the 'via Carlisle' bit specifically, I think all the Virgin services go via Carlisle. Putting that on the ticket is really just to stop you trying to be clever and go some long-winded route that would be more desirable for you for whatever reason.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Off Peak Tickets - virgin trains?

I'm planning on getting the train from Glasgow Central on the London Euston train (getting off at one of the stops along the way) and I was planning on buying my ticket tomorrow for the 10.40am train in January. I was wondering if I could buy the off peak train ticket for this time? Also, on...

Answer 6

If it shows that they are valid then yes you can use them, they have restrictions for travel but not as much as a Super Off Peak Ticket

Answer 7

Chances are it will mean that going via Carlisle will be slower but if you don't mind losing some time then go with the cheapest ticket.



Yes you can buy the ticket - in fact it is wise to buy the ticket online tonight as the uprating of fares occurs either on Jan 1 or Jan 4 (first Monday) and non-season tickets are set to increase.



Off-peak means you can get any train that is off-peak (obviously) such as the 10:40am train. You can also buy an off-peak return whereas Advance tickets are always singles but it can be cheaper to get two advance tickets - go with what the website says.



You can check where your train calls on the national rail website too

Answer 8

At that time off peak is ok

Advance means you are buying it in advance of travelling so it is cheaper.

Use http://www.thetrainline.com to buy the ticket which will be simpler. Two singles is usually cheaper than a return. Forget what the tickets are called it is the price that counts.

Answer 9

Via Carlisle means that you have to use Virgin services - the other route to London is not 'long winded' but is the East Coast route via Edinburgh. All Virgin Glasgow/London services go through Carlisle. Be careful, however, that if you buy an Off-Peak ticket, you don't buy one that limits you to a specific train, for otherwise if you get off on the way as you propose you will be landed with paying the fuill fare for the remainder of your journey.