Requesting Peterborough train travelling advice

[londonguy57]

Am planning to travel to Peterborough for leisure purposes sometime next week probably during mid to end.

Just kindly asking presume its better to travel via East Coast than First Capital Connect and guess its best to buy a ticket in advance rather than at the station itself.

If people say East Coast, how is standard class like and do they have power sockets and tables as need to use my laptop to do some personal work, am not fussed about free wifi all be its a bonus. Plus what facilities do I get for standard class as I have not been up in a long while.

If people say First Capital Connect, how are the services and trains like and what are the differences.

Again for East Coast, what time during off peak is best to go and come back and do hear about the Skyfall train livery being on (however it is daily so having to keep my eyes peeled) and do need to travel back to London between 3-8pm (not sure yet) so is it worth reserving a seat for the going up and coming back. If reserving a seat what are the best places to reserve a seat within the train from people's experiences or does it not matter.

If people say why travel in first class, unfortunately do not have the money unless if anyone knows cheap first class fares then so be it.

Finally for anyone travelled to Peterborough just want to do some sightseeing and looking around the places so if anyone has some good places to suggest then feel free to advise also good eating out places that are reasonably priced but good quality then feel free to suggest.

Look forward to the replies.

 

[Deerfold]

If people say East Coast, how is standard class like and do they have power sockets and tables as need to use my laptop to do some personal work, am not fussed about free wifi all be its a bonus. Plus what facilities do I get for standard class as I have not been up in a long while.

Standard class is comfortable enough (I do London - Leeds & beyond once a week return). If you want a table either reserve a seat or arrive in good time (Northbound), if you don't reserve a seat Southbound you've a low chance of getting a table seat unless travelling very late.

There's a socket for every pair of seats. They usually work.

There's 15 minutes of free wifi per train you get per day. They charge £5 for an hour or you can use points from buying tickets from their website. There is free access to eastcoast.co.uk for as long as you like.

 

[CockneySparrow]

East Coast single advanced starts at £10.90 which is the best option in EC as walk up return tickets are over £40

FCC super off peak is £26 return and if you have a network card you can save a third from Kings Cross to Huntingdon and another ticket from there to Peterborough will be even cheaper than the £26, I dont think FCC do advanced tickets cheaper only walk up fares but you will stop at every station but have flexibility

Both services are good I would personally do advanced EC myself much better seats and quicker

Be careful what tickets you buy though some aren't valid on EC only FCC and vice versa

 

[MisterWhippy]

If people say First Capital Connect, how are the services and trains like and what are the differences.

Two trains an hour, one semi-fast (Takes roughly 1hr 15) and one slow (Takes 1hr 30 and stops everywhere)

Finally for anyone travelled to Peterborough just want to do some sightseeing and looking around the places so if anyone has some good places to suggest then feel free to advise also good eating out places that are reasonably priced but good quality then feel free to suggest.

Look forward to the replies.

I live in Peterborough, you have in no particular order:

Museum
Cathedral
Shopping centre (if that interests you)
River Nene.
You also have Ferry Meadows, but that's out of town and an effort to get to if you don't drive and don't fancy the bus.

In terms of eating, there's not a lot except from your national chains of Pizza Express, Nando's etc. within the city centre but they are all acceptable chains.

 

[oddiesjack]

There's a couple of Wetherspoons in Peterborough - one called the Drapers Arms isn't too far from the station on Cowgate. I have eaten there a few times when I have been working in Peterborough, and always found it fine. I haven't used the other one though - I seem to think its called The College Arms.

 

[SouthStand]

If you visit this Saturday coming, you may want to extend your trip to Spalding for the annual Flower Parade. It's the 55th (and last ever) parade, if you're interested let me know and I'll provide more details.

 

[johnnychips]

It's the 55th (and last ever) parade

Off-topic, but why?

 

[SouthStand]

I think it's due to decreasing availability of sponsorship. The missus who's lived there all her life said that 40 years ago there were trains from all over the country to Spalding for the parade, I believe the station had more platforms in those days as well.