Great Western Coffee Shop

We shall be travelling mid week in October and staying two days. At the momenmt the anytime return which seems to be about ^150 per person seem sthe only option. Does anyone have any tips/ideas for cutting the cost.

Actual dates and times will help in finding Advance purchase options. Booking horizons are currently mid October for most operators so if your travel dates are later than that then I can only look at walk-up ticket options.

Prefer CrossCountry or via London?

1st Class if cheap enough?

Do you have a Railcard of any sort?

Two travellers one has young person railcard. Happy to consider any route as long as cheap

Thanks

Still can't look for anything meaningful without dates.

Out 12 October back 14th October - basically going for a meeting on the 13th.

Advance tickets are only available in the meantime up to October 13th.

Should be able to easily beat the CrossCountry walk up fare of ^172.20 with split Advances via London. Give it a couple more days and I'll look at the options for you. Booking horizons for FGW aren't quite there yet. I've got the Kings Cross-Leuchars ADV fares but I'll hold off until I can give you total prices.

fantastic thanks for help much appreciated.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but there is a potential risk with splitting advance fares via London, that being that if your train to London in either direction is delayed and you miss the connecting train, the TOC operating your second train is not obliged to let you travel. They may be nice, but equally they may not and would be within their rights to make you purchase a new ticket. You're safer in that regard if you can find a through ticket, which there are for journeys via London (route described as +AP LONDN READING, where the + indicates that it includes cross-London transfer on the Underground, and AP indicates advance purchase).

Have you considered Groupsave? (if it is available)

There are only two travelling.  Possibly not your best idea...

Paul

Of course I'll factor in about 90 minute between Paddington and Kings Cross (which incidentally is the connection time on a couple of services that the OJPs throw up.) Maybe a bit excessive, but I take your point about split Advances. I'm looking at various options for amiddl - which he chooses is up to him but I will qualify the split advances with reference to your post, blakey.

Am I the only one who keeps glancing at the title of this thread and mistaking it for "Plymouth Lechers"?

Sorry, not particularly helpful I know....

No, no, no, the lechers aren't in Plymouth, they're all in south Wales, apparently (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7227.0) ;)

amiddl. I'm still waiting for the Advances from London to Plymouth on the 14th October to be come available. Should have an answer in the next cople of days.

In the meantime I've been looking into the potential pitfalls of using split advances if you are delayed on one service, and subsequently miss the 2nd service.

This thread (http://) on RailUK Forums covers the issue pretty well with some good advice as well as a robust argument about the legal position. What it appears to boil down to is TOCs offering good customer service as long as you adhere to minimum connection times, but their is a very small risk of a staff member playing hard ball and refusing to endorse travel on a later service. No anecdotal evidence that this has ever happened though.

Might be worth seeing what cheap tickets U can get up & Back to London on Oct 12 and 14.

Just checked at First Scotrail, You can at present Book overnight Bargain Berths Euston-Leuchars out Oct 12th back 13th (SAVE on Hotel Costs.)

Not sure what I am going to do  but many thanks for the options which are really helpful.

OK amiddl, here's the cheapest option I've found using split tickets. These prices are correct as at 2110 30/07. 16-25 Railcard prices in brackets. All are advance purchase singles and I have given ample time to cross London - time to grab lunch on the outbound and dinner on the return. (Or time to absorb delays!)

The Kings Cross - Leuchars prices include an online discount and are only available from East Coast's (http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/) website. I suggest buying all the tickets from there in one transaction.

OUT 12th October
d0855 Plymouth - a1223 Paddington* ^16.00 (^10.55)
d1400 Kings Cross - a1938 Leuchars  ^24.90 (^16.45)

RTN 14th October
d1120 Leuchars - a1657 Kings Cross   ^18.70 (^12.35)
d1945 Paddington* - a2317 Plymouth ^16.00 (^10.55)

TOTAL: ^75.60 (^49.90)

*When purchasing specify Zone U1 London in the origin/destination box to include a cross London transfer by tube. The prices quoted include the transfer.

As you can see there is plenty of time to make the cross London journeys, in fact maybe too much on the return journey but thats the cheapest option. If you'd prefer to get back to Plymouth earlier then I can look at alternatives, just PM me.

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The Bargain Berths (http://www.travelpass.buytickets.scotrail.co.uk/BargainBerths/Default.aspx) on the Caledonian Sleeper are currently ^29.00ea on the 12th from Euston - Leuchars and ^39.00ea on the return on the 13th. As this includes your accomodation then it will be a cheaper option than stopping overnight on the 13th in Leuchars. Won't be as comfy as a B&B or Hotel though, but I find a glass or three of red wine or a wee dram from the buffet helps me get to the land of nod! Be aware these Bargain Berths sell out very quicky so if you take this option then get in there quick!

Hope this helps

Mac

Bl++dy H++l BNM, that's fantasic research, to say nothing of the options...what a hero. :)

brilliant - problem solved

Many many thanks