Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi,

I may go for a day trip to Newquay on Saturday from Paddington, out on the 07.36 and returning on the 17.18.

Is this train likely to be busy with it being a BH weekend and half term in some areas I believe.

Hi!

Why not reserve a seat? ;)

That way you can guarantee a comfortable journey. ;D

It is likely to be busy with it being a Bank Holiday weekend, saying that, last year Newquay services on weekend were not that busy.

Good evening, dmacw, and welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!  :)

In my area, west of Bristol, it is indeed half term then - but as you say, local authorities have different dates for term times, so it's not necessarily going to be the same in Cornwall, for example.  ::)

Yes it will be very busy. Whitsun is one of the busier holidays down West. Also, there are currently no Friday services so the weekend will be busy. Reservation will be useful.

I believe it will be half term holidays most places, due to the bank holiday, it certainly is in Cornwall.

Having lived in Cornwall in the past I can tell you that, that train will be a nightmare! Lot's of suitcases if thats what you mean ;)

Although, if you really wanted to guarrentee a seat. You could book a First Class Advance fare return for ^105.00 Which sounds expensive, but considering a walkup ticket is ^81.00 return and the journey is 5 hours... I think you may find that most to your liking ;D If you have a railcard, it will be cheaper ;)

However, you could, if you prefer, take advantage of the Weekend First. But that is subject to availability and could work out more expensive than a native FC advance ticket.

I'm not sure on the policy of upgrading Standard Class Advance tickets on Weekend First... (Devon_Metro will probably know :P ) but you can book those for ^55.00 Return Standard Class ;D

And to extend Chris' Post. Welcome to the forum ;) ;D

Don't forget that WE 1st has now gone up in price.  Standard advance ^55.00 + 2 times WE 1st @ ^25 is the same as first advance.  If you have a railcard first advance is cheaper as there is no discount on WE 1st

If Friday afternoon's advance reservations are anything to go by, I'd avoid Cornish trains this weekend. 1406-1906 (every hour) ex Paddington almost fully booked already on Friday

Its run to the sun I believe.

It is indeed.

Ouch, any idea if the Torbay trains are likely to be as busy on Saturday? Might dictate how busy my Bank Holiday at work will be.