London In March

[hc4361]

I want to go to London any time in March to visit the British Museum staying for two or three nights.

When would it be cheapest for a hotel room and train travel? Weekend or midweek? Anything I should take in to consideration?

[237SJ]

Premier Inns and Travelodges tend to be cheaper at the weekends. The tubes are less rammed as well because you don`t get caught up in rush hour

[mushroom25]

where would you be travelling from?

[cassa333]

Depends what sort of hotel you want.

Personally I stay in a travel lodge in Woolwich as the dlr is a two minute walk up the precinct.

If you have no children I would go mid week but that is just my preference lol

Train... just look to see the cheapest. When we go it is usually cheaper to go after 10am and to get a good full day in, come back after at least 7pm often 8pm If you are thinking of seeing a show on the day you are coming home check the times for last train home.

[hc4361]

Travelling from Birmingham or Wolverhampton.

Good tip about the train ticket. So, weekend or midweek?

[cassa333]

I have stayed at the Goodge Street premier inn. If I remember rightly the underground was a bit of a walk!

[hc4361]

I'm hoping for a hotel close to the train station. I'll try Premier Inn Euston

[mushroom25]

best travel deals from West Midlands by Chiltern Rail
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/

they can also do you "2 for 1" deals at certain attractions
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/2-for-1-attractions/london
and do deals on certain show tickets
http://chilternrailways.entstix.com/

[hc4361]

Ta, mush

[Buenchico]

Note that 'Advance' train tickets usually only go on sale approx 12 weeks before the date of travel. So you could pay substantially more for your tickets if you book now than if you wait until the new year.

An Anytime Return ticket from Birmingham New Street to Euston (using Virgin Trains) currently costs £170.00

An Anytime Return ticket from Birmingham Snow Hill to Marylebone (with Chiltern Railways) is £109.00

An Anytime Return ticket from Birmingham New Street to Euston on (slower) London Midland services is £75.00. (Note that there are only a few trains operated by London Midland on that route though).

An Off-Peak Return from Birmingham New Street to Euston (with Virgin) is £52.20

An Off-Peak Return from Birmingham Snow Hill to Marylebone (with Chiltern) is £29.20

However an Off-Peak Return from Birmingham New Street to Euston using London Midland services is only £28.00 or even just £18.00, depending upon when you travel.

Using Advance tickets (with Chiltern, between Snow Hill and Marylebone) can get the return fare down to just £11.00. (That's actually £5.50 each way, since you can't buy 'Advance Return' tickets). That's based upon the Advance fares currently offered for the end of this month (because, as I've stated above, it's too early to book them for March yet).

Note that:
(a) 'regulated' rail fares are due to increase by 1.9% in January ; and
(b) you can knock 34% off all of the above fares if you've got a Senior Railcard.

My favourite website for cheap accommodation is this one:
http://www.hostelworld.com/
(NB: Don't be put off by the word 'hostel' in that URL. There are lots of hotels and B&Bs listed there as well. Just carry out an initial search and then use the 'Filter' options).
Using some random dates in March, I've had no trouble in finding well-reviewed hotels in areas such as Paddington and Victoria for around £35 per night.

[Buenchico]

Oops!

I forgot to include the link for planning your rail journey:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

[hc4361]

I didn't realise the train fares could be so cheap! Thanks for that, Buenchico, I will wait to book my tickets as you suggest.

But - should I go for a weekend or midweek break?

[Buenchico]

Take a look at my National Rail link (using some sample dates in, say, November, as the cheap fares won't be there for March) to get an idea of when the best value Advance tickets might be on sale. (Ensure that you select 'Birmingham - All Stations' and 'London - All Stations', rather than just, say, 'Birmingham New Street' and 'London Euston', to ensure that you check all routes. It's likely to be Snow Hill to Marylebone which comes out cheapest for Advance fares).

You're unlikely to find any cheap Advance tickets leaving Birmingham around breakfast-time on a Monday or coming back from London around teatime on a Friday, as that's when trains get full with business travellers. Try outbound from mid-morning onwards on a Monday, coming back at an off-peak time (either before or after the evening rush) on a Wednesday or Thursday. Also try the same one day later (i.e. out on a Tuesday morning and back off-peak on a Thursday or Friday). They might well turn out to be the best times but a bit of trial and error could be called for!

[Jackdaw33]

Also remember that Advance fares are only valid for the service you are booked on. You must catch that particular train.

[hc4361]

Thanks both. :)