Thanks :smile:

Train pricing is disgusting in general, its beyond retarded that its cheaper to fly to a different country than to go a couple of hundred miles on a train.

I looked in to getting an annual bus pass to get to work, in order to weigh up options. I quickly dismissed the idea when I saw that it would easily cost more than the petrol alone, and my car isn't particularly frugal either. Add to that the advantages of not having to wait, put up with drunks and chavs and people playing carp music on their crappy phone speaker, being able to sling your coat and bag on the back seat without worrying someone will nick it etc. As I already pay MOT, Tax, etc etc it just doesn't make any sense.

Privatisation has just led to rampant profiteering.

The contracts are coming up for renewal and that's why May is eager to dispense of the fares freeze, so they are more eager to renew their contracts - as a couple of operators have just walked out on, or threatened to walk out on, contracts lately.

Of course, with VED, servicing, replacement parts, depreciation, MOT, insurance and breakdown cover, all of that equates to less than 10p per mile, with fuel around 8p a mile, so 18p a mile, total of £81 for the journey.
However I am already paying for the VED, MOT, breakdown cover and the majority of the insurance whether I drive 100 miles or 20000 miles, so that 18p a mile is a little inflated.
Taking a train under normal costs would have cost me in excess of £90, not to mention I don't live next to a train station nor is my destination next to one, so taxi or bus fares have to be calculated into that too. Oh and one final mention, I travelled on my own, that journey could have been completed with a full car, with only minimal increases in fuel usage, costing £22.50 a person.

Because fuel costs are just a small part of the cost of running a car - everybody forgets all the other costs, and they're not all fixed costs either. :neutral_face:

Felt like highlighting the Conservative manifesto promises a back track on rail fare freezes. All profits, and billions in rail subsidies even if you never catch a train, go to the Governments of France, Germany, and the Nederlands - even after we leave the EU - and they'll take even more thanks to the Conservatives wanting to privatise even more.

Whether you're anti or pro EU, it makes sense that money stays here and gets reinvested into our services instead of services abroad.

It's the distance that determines the price for a weekend first class upgrade.

£10
London to Milton Keynes
Preston to Birmingham
Manchester to Stoke-On-Trent
Carlisle to Glasgow

£15
London to Birmingham
London to Wolverhampton
Manchester to Edinburgh
Coventry to London

£20
Manchester to London
London to Liverpool
Preston to London
London to Crewe

£25
London to Glasgow
London to Carlisle
Oxenholme to London
Milton Keynes to Edinburgh

https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/experience/first-class/weekend-travel

Can you still upgrade on weekends to the first class for £10?

Why is 2 adults one child £160?

Sorry for being thick... but could you get this offer for Birmingham to Edinburgh? It's showing me £150 for two adults and two children.

WhatsApp mail is very misleading, got all excited for a moment as looking for Durham to London

Ya I know right? But anyway I'm too scared to take the chance so I just booked 2 adults which was from £110 (family tic) to £135, rather pay the £25 difference than hassle. Or I guess you can take a toy doll and stare into the eyes of the ticket person and say what do you mean my child is not real?!:neutral_face:

Funny one isn't it. If we paid for the ticket, what does it matter to Virgin? They got their money.

Can a family ticket be booked, but actually it's just me and the wife? Family ticket works out cheaper than booking two adult tickets!

If I booked 2 Adults and 3 Children to take advantage of this deal but only 2 adults going would we get kicked off the train?

Wow, this is a good deal for whole family, I can take my kids together. Thanks for sharing!:smiley:

if you wonder why you can't get the cheap ticket, you most probably missing 2 key points:
1. it is family ticket (at least 1 adult and 1 child), If you go alone, it's different pricing
2. i think this deal is for FROM and TO EUSTON only. when you click on the link, check 4th point.

1 adult and 2 kids, Glasgow - London £160. I'll pass on this one.

Hw can one book please??

I think Virgin Trains are experimenting with "airline style" pricing around school holidays as the current West Coast franchise comes to an end.

The 1403 EUS > BHM is usually £9. For Half Term (using say Wednesday 31st May or Thursday 1st June as an example) it's an astonishing £40. London Midland remains at the usual £6 and Chiltern £9 for similar timed trains.

Funnily enough, the week after Half Term, sees the fare back to the usual more reasonable £9.

Not quite sure why it says 'from £65' (Not your fault OP, it's Virgin's advertising)

Coventry/Nuneaton - Euston £60
Rugby - Euston £50
Mikton Keynes - Euston £35

Seriously good deal when you can get quite early trains down and come back in the peak. With these tickets you can reserve your seats for the outward journey only online but if you call the reservation hotline or speak to any ticket office you can reserve seats for your chosen return trip too

West Coast Mainline only - not Virgin East Coast. Not a criticism, just a clarification. Heat added. :wink:

Thanks :smile:

Shame it's £95 for Manchester to London.