Cardiff to Bournemouth

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[basset44]

Hi All,

Think I have done my research but still dont quite understand if this is correct?

I wish to travel from Cardiff to Bournemoth on Monday 18th June after 11.00 and return on Friday 22nd June about 17.00.

1. Can I travel via Reading

2 If so could I break my return trip at either Reading or Swindon overnight

3 Provided I travel off peak can I use a 50.00 off peak return ( I think it this price but I cant confirm) when I put in via Reading no fare come up, but on NR^» (Network Rail - home page) site if I put in Trefforest to Bournemouth I can find a 53.90 fare via Reading and I think this is available on the 17.45 from Bournmouth

Thanks for your help

Basset

[JayMac]

Cardiff Central to Bournemouth is valid via Reading with a ticket routed 'Not London'.

The ^50 Off Peak Return is routed 'via Salisbury' so you can't use that fare via Reading. To travel via Reading you will need the Super Off Peak Return (routed 'Not London') which is ^77.

With that fare you cannot travel from Reading between 1530-1901 Mon-Fri. That would leave you with the option, if you don't take your overnight break at Reading, of departing Bournemouth at 1645 and waiting over an hour at Reading (arr. 1804) for the 1911 to Cardiff. Or you can depart Bournemouth at 1745 and have the bare minimum official connection (7 mins) at Reading (arr. 1904) again connecting with the 1911. Of course if you break your return journey at Swindon then you can take any train from Reading to Swindon after 1901.

Yes you can break your return trip at Reading or Swindon. Resuming anytime on the Saturday.

[basset44]

Thanks, bignosemac

What i dont understand that if you put in Trefforest to Bournemouth in the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) site for these dates it come up with a 53.80 fare and when you click on other routes it shows you its valid via Reading so this is not correct.

Cant seem to post the screen shot



basset

[JayMac]

Neither National Rail Enquiries or booking engines such as FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) are showing the route via Reading for the Super Off Peak Return (^77) despite it being permitted according to the Routeing Guide. This isn't unusual; there are sometimes valid routes that journey planners (NRE^‡(resolve)) or booking engines (FGW) don't interpret correctly.

If you want to travel via Reading then you can just purchase the ^77 Super Off Peak Return online selecting random out and return services and then travelling as you wish via Reading (abiding by the time restrictions I mentioned above). Alternately you can book at a station if seat reservations are required.

There's also an error on NRE when you check the 'other trains you can travel on with this fare' link when using Trefforest as your start station. The ^53.80 fare you mention is routed 'via Salisbury' so the journey options via Reading are being shown erroneously.

Finally, waiting a few days until Advance Purchase booking opens for 22nd June may be an option. You can book split Advances (split at Reading on the outward, Reading or Swindon on the return depending where you wish to break your journey). Currently on Mon June 18th there are APs CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-RDG^‡(resolve) for ^10 and RDG BMH for ^11 at the time you wish to travel* On your return journey APs have yet to be released. You may have to transit through Reading late evening on the Friday to bag the cheaper APs though. Maybe worth taking that break you want at Reading and then bagging a cheap as chips AP from RDG-CDF on the Saturday. Cheapest APs on the Saturday when booking opens are likely to be before 9am, between 1pm-4pm and after 7pm.

*As long as book split Advances to includ the minimum official connection time at your split point, then should you be delayed on your first service you are permitted to take the next available train to your destination at no additional cost.

[basset44]

Thanks again,

Settled for Advance to Swindon on the Monday and on the return trip on the Saturday.

Will buy a 47.50 off peak return from Swindon which I belive is okay to use via Reading which gives me some flex could catch the 15.22 or 16.22 back to Swindon via Bath  ( bit longer get some track bashing in) or the 17.45 via Reading. ( Was even looking at via Melksham) which comes to about 60.50

Once agian thanks for your help you provided

Basset