Lessons Learned

This may well be a "oh Dave thats so obvious" but I have learned a wee trick with train fares. It involves buying single journeys instead of returns.

For example:

14th July - Norwich to Peterborough
Out 09.57
Return 18.42
Cheap Day Return - £14.40
Two singles (2 x £5) - £10.00 (saving £4.40)

12th July - Norwich to Newcastle (via Peterborough)
Out 09.57
Return 15th July (12.00)
Cheapest standard return available - £95.30
Single standard £32.50, return £24 = £56.50 (Saving £41.80)
However, you could treat yourself to:
Single First Class £42.50 x 2 = £85 (Saving just under £10 from the return).

Finally, I have been sitting in the dining car coming back from London on the 18.20.
You get a very quiet carriage, a nice choice of food, and a bottle of wine for under a tenner.
All you need is a standard single as well.

You can check fares at Nationalrail.co.uk or www.onerailway.co.uk