Great Western Coffee Shop

I am planning on travelling from Cardiff-Bath on Saturday 18th December. I am not going to book an advance ticket because it works out just as cheap for me to buy a ticket on the day and if my plans were to fall through for some reason I wouldnt be able to get a refund from an advance ticket.

My question is how likely is the service to be the Saturday before Christmas i.e will I be able to get onto the train because its rammed with people. Im prob looking to catch the 10.30 from Cardiff which I hope is at least a 3 car 158.

Well your service starts at Cardiff, so bagging an unreserved seat shouldn't be an issue. 1 coach of a 3 car 158 should remain unreserved.

Also, if your plans are fixed by the night before you can still buy your walk-up ticket then (at a station or online for collection from a TVM) and book a seat. Theoretically you can get a seat reservation up to two hours before the train departs it's first station. Subject to availability of reservable seats of course.

Thanks. Had heard that on Saturdays near Christmas the trains can get so busy on this line its difficult to get on them but I guess as it starts at Cardiff it should be ok.