Rhyl to London (outward via Cheltenham, return direct)

[Welshman]

My wife needs to travel this weekend from Rhyl to Cheltenham, then on to London, and after a day or two, back to Rhyl directly.

She could buy singles for each leg [ie £37.50p; £50.15p & £53.55], totalling £141.20, with her Sen. Railcard discount. But that seems a little expensive.

I am just querying if anyone with routing knowledge, etc, can suggest a cheaper way. She doesn't want to be tied to particular trains, so advance tickets are out, and she will be staying in London for a couple of days, but all her journeying will be at off-peak times.

Does anyone have any suggestions, please?

 

[maniacmartin]

I'm not too familiar with fares in that area, but I have managed to reduce the cost a bit:

A Rhyl to Swindon (Wilts) Off-Peak Return is valid for use outbound via Cheltenham Spa (shortest route), and returning via Didcot and Banbury (map MW). It has restriction code 2V £56.50

A Banbury to London Terminals Off-Peak Return is valid for use outbound via Oxford and Didcot, into Paddington (maps BB+WR), and returning from Marylebone to Banbury. Restriction code WM £25.50

Use the first ticket, breaking the journey at Cheltenham, then continuing to Swindon. Then (on the same train) use the return part of that ticket. Use a Break of Journey on that ticket at Didcot, and switch to the outbound portion of the second ticket, starting short, to get to Paddington.

Note that the train would have to call at Didcot, and possibly also at Swindon

Returning, use the return portion of the second ticket to go from Marylebone to Banbury, then resume from your break of journey on the first return ticket (can be done without changing trains, as long as the train calls at Banbury).


Total cost (off peak, SNR): £82.00

(This was written in a rush whilst tired. I'd advise that some else double checks its validity)

 

[TPJ]

Club 55 Rhyl to Cheltenham via Newport or even to Birmingham with another ticket to Cheltenham. She could also come back London-Cheltenham and use the Club 55 return

 

[Welshman]

Thank you, both of you, for your time and effort in replying.
However, I think what she would like to do is return directly from Euston to Rhyl via Crewe/Chester and Virgin Trains.

So she'd be making a triangular journey - Rhyl-Crewe-Birmingham-Cheltenham-Didcot-Paddington-Euston-Crewe-Rhyl.
That would be the ideal, anyway, but I appreciate your suggestions.

 

[30907]

Club 55 Rhyl to Cheltenham via Newport or even to Birmingham with another ticket to Cheltenham. She could also come back London-Cheltenham and use the Club 55 return

Would Club 55 plus XC allow Rhyl-Bham-Cheltenham-Bham? Or does the outward journey have to be FROM Cheltenham TO Bham?

Certainly Club 55 plus Chiltern for Bham-M'bone-Rhyl.

Sorry, just read last post - ignore this

 

[LexyBoy]

On a train at the moment so can't check routes but I'll point out that the Cheltenham-London Super Off Peak Single fare is 18.50, not 50.15 as in the OP (the Anytime Single).

I'd think getting a return with validity as far south on the WCML as possible, and then singles to cover the rest, will be the best option. Single fares on the GW are sensibly priced whilst elsewhere you'll be penalised for buying singles. I expect this will mean buying Rhyl-London and then travelling via Birmingham on the outbound with a single to cover Brum-Chelters.

 

[Welshman]

On a train at the moment so can't check routes but I'll point out that the Cheltenham-London Super Off Peak Single fare is 18.50, not 50.15 as in the OP (the Anytime Single).

I was looking on the NRE site and missed the Super Off-Peak Single fare. However, I've found it on the FGW site, and that's a big saving, so I'm indebted to you for drawing my attention to it.