Buying train tickets online? Why I’d rather have good customer service

When I need a train ticket I go to the station. I’ve linked to it, because I thought you ought to see York station so you can appreciate why I might like to go there, instead of finding tickets online. I know this seems painfully old fashioned but there are several reasons for wanting to go there aside from how beautiful it is. When I try booking online, things go wrong. Seats change and prices change if you pause the transaction then return to it.  This is not all the time, but often enough. When I go to York station they really bust a gut to find the best deal for you, no effort seems to be too much. And they are nice, very helpful people on the whole. Of course, to get the cheapest tickets, online or in person, you’ll need to book tran advance, take a specific train, and even, sometimes buy a single ticket. That’s what tends to make the difference.

Last weekend I went on the train to Birmingham to see my ancient father. I love train travel normally but this journey was plagued with long delays. I frequently have arguments with people about train versus car travel. People often say the train is too expensive and car is cheaper which only I seem to know is pretty much a load of rubbish!  My journeys cost in petrol about the same as the train fare and then there are the hidden costs of wear and tear on the car. Maybe more people have company cars, but I don’t.  The other plus is avoiding everyone else’s driving shenanigans on the roads.

To get the cheapest tickets, online or in person, you’ll need to book tran advance, take a specific train, and even, sometimes buy a single ticket.

One of my daughters lives in Glasgow, the younger daughter is in her final year at university in Wales. About the same distance in the opposite direction! More trains.

The best way to save money seeing the daughters is, of course, to pay for them to come home. One of them still has a railcard  so that’s cheap, with a third off. Not for much longer though. That is unless they change categories and suddenly belong to another group. I search sometimes to find out if there is some discount group I might belong to. I am afraid the next one might have to be a senior railcard, unless they push the age up for that one too, along with the retirement age. Help! Until then, I’m trusting the staff at York station to find me the best deals!