score:7
I don't know how familiar you are with UK rail ticketing, but here are some details beyond what you've already been given (prices now updated for January 2017, unlikely to change throughout the year).
My source for this is BRFares, which is an unofficial site that displays data directly from the fares database. While a bit technical in operation (it displays all sorts of fares that aren't always available for purchase), it lets you see available fares from the perspective of the fares themselves rather than from the perspective of the journeys, which is convenient for this sort of question.
This is further complicated by the fact that the West Midlands has its own Passenger Transport Executive which set their own special fares. However, looking through these, I didn't find any that might be useful for you over and above what's listed on BRFares.
A couple of final things; it's commonly cheaper to buy a return than two singles in the UK, and this journey is no exception; but there's a caveat caused by the weird Network West Midlands fares. Also, there's no need to book tickets in advance, since for such a short journey there is no discount for doing so. You may as well buy them from the vending machine or ticket office at the station of origin each day.
I will assume, since you didn't mention it, that you don't have a railcard. Even if you are eligible for one, it won't be worth it for you to buy one unless you intend to make some more expensive domestic rail journeys in the UK in the same year.
(Note that no train gets overtaken between Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street so you should always take the one expected to depart next, even if it's an all-stations stopper!)
So, with that in mind, here are your options:
So, TL;DR: I would buy off-peak or anytime day returns as required (with route Any Permitted), each morning from the ticket machine, except for the case where you're leaving before 09:30 and returning after 18:30, in which case I'd use a combination of an Anytime Day Single and an Evening Day Single. I would forget group restrictions except where you'd normally use an evening single, when you might get a better price by buying an evening group return instead. If this is all too complex for you and money isn't that tight, just go for the Anytime Day Returns!
Upvote:3
Well, you could walk it. It is only 7-8 miles.. so not exactly tough. Brisk walk would get you there in under 2 hours.
But, just get the train. It's like £3-4 each way and takes about 15 mins... That's pretty crazy cheap.
Upvote:4
For Train times, information and pricing, see National Rail Enquiries.
For the duration of time you'll be doing this, and the fact that you may be able to travel at off-peak times, it's unlikely that a season ticket would make any sense. There may be group rates available, just put in the number of travellers when searching on national rail. It's also possible to get a railcard, however, for such a short journey, it's unlikely to be worth it unless you plan to make further use of rail travel in the UK this year.