Cheaper to go via Salisbury with SWR?

[whole diary]

[GWR 158]

Hi everybody, I'm currently planning a trip from Basingstoke to Penzance and I would like to clarify some ticket options. Is it is cheaper to go with SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) to Exeter St. Davids then change at Exeter for a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) service to Penzance or direct with GWR to Penzance from Reading.

[bobm]

A super off-peak single is £64.90 and valid via Reading or Salisbury.

Via Reading is usually quicker.  Also worth noting that the way the connections work, going via Salisbury ofteb involves an extra change. One at Exeter onto Cross Country and then again at Plymouth onto GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).

[grahame]

Hi everybody, I'm currently planning a trip from Basingstoke to Penzance and I would like to clarify some ticket options. Is it is cheaper to go with SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) to Exeter St. Davids then change at Exeter for a GWR service to Penzance or direct with GWR to Penzance from Reading.

Sorry to be answering a question with more questions ...
- Single or return?
- Guess it won't be day return at that distance, but can you confirm that?
- How flexible are you in time of day to travel?
- Please clarify - SWR/GWR is one change at Exeter' [GWR/XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))]/GWR requires one change at Reading.  Where you say "direct from Reading" are you looking to use Reading rather that Basingstoke as your railhead, or is there some other consideration such as that you hold a Reading to Basingstoke season ticket?
- Do you hold a Network South East railcard?

[GWR 158]

Not a problem Grahame. In answer to your questions:

1. Return over a 2 day period.
2. Anytime but cheapest time possible would be preferable.
3. I don't hold a Basingstoke to Reading season ticket.
4. One change from the Basingstoke to Reading line then a direct train from Reading to Penzance would be preferable.
5. I don't hold a Network Southeast card but I do have a family and friends railcard.

I hope this helps.

[grahame]

A super off-peak single is £64.90 and valid via Reading or Salisbury.

Via Reading is usually quicker.  Also worth noting that the way the connections work, going via Salisbury ofteb involves an extra change. One at Exeter onto Cross Country and then again at Plymouth onto GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).

via SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) ... nothing to stop you having a longer break at Exeter and picking up a direct PNZ train later rather than the double change - even if the journey planner won't offer you that!

Two singles add up to £129.80
Return via either, super off peak is £114.50

Not a problem Grahame. In answer to your questions:

1. Return over a 2 day period.
2. Anytime but cheapest time possible would be preferable.
3. I don't hold a Basingstoke to Reading season ticket.
4. One change from the Basingstoke to Reading line then a direct train from Reading to Penzance would be preferable.
5. I don't hold a Network Southeast card but I do have a family and friends railcard.

I hope this helps.

You can reduce the £114.50 to £102.40 with a "via Salisbury" off peak return
Going via SWR, you can reduce further by splitting at Axminster. £53.20 + £46.60 = £99.80

IF you had a Network card, that £53.20 reduces to £35.10 - so total £81.30

"Over 2 days" I note.  If you were stopping overnight in Exeter and doing Penzance as a day trip from there ... £63.40 + £23.80 = £87.20
And IF you had a Network card with that ... £41.85 + £23.80 = £65.65

If you live in Basingstoke and will be using the train again, Network card worth considering at £30

Simples 

But then ... are you going alone, or do you have a child you can borrow to make use of the Family and Friends card you have??