Great Western Coffee Shop

Updated comment / suggestions, please - speaking in Bradford-on-Avon last night to the Climate Friendly Group, the question of good train fares to and from Scotland resurfaced (not that it has ever been buried) an it struck me that some of my advice / comment may be out of date.   The particular question was about a trip to Perth (yes, Scotland not Western Australia).

Thoughts.   Does going via London and using / splitting via Lumo make sense in any way?  Where are sensible split points along the normal way?  With TrainLine now offering split tickets, have they somewhat "come in from the cold" as far as members who regret their extra charges are concerned?

Purely as an example, what would be member's recommendations these days for a trip from Wiltshire to Perth spending - say - a week there - with one eye on cost.  Initially for one traveller making a solitary trip, but groupsave and railcard advice also appreciated.

Do advance purchase options not seem to cross TOC boundaries as much as they once did?

One possibility, plan to travel via London and check for advance tickets on through LNER services. Probably splitting the ticket at Kings Cross and another fare for the second leg, but check for a through ticket.

Another one: travel via Newport, then TfW to Manchester and Transpennine Express to Edinburgh on advance purchase tickets then Scotrail.

Mark

If Advance purchase not an option and travelling via London, then purchase from Finsbury Park rather than KGX.

FlixBus Bristol to Perth for a week in November for around £80 return (£100 with best seats reservations).

You'll have to like coach travel though. Journey time around 17-20 hours each way. Although that does include some lengthy waits for connections.

Any idea why the original thread with this name was locked? (Jaymac?)

I've asked the question via 'Report to Moderator' but got no answer that way!

No reason I can see ... and surprised that we didn't pick up your report.  It's very easy with the power tools admins and moderators have too lock a topic by mistake - it's happened before and probably will again. I will unlock and merge.