Cheapest train fare from Didcot Parkway to Newcastle

[BradNufc]

Hello Guys,

My step mum is looking for train tickets to book for Xmas holidays from the
27th December - 9th January. I usually get the train the train to Oxford then switch to the XC service to Newcastle but its really expensive, does anyone know any cheaper routes maybe Via Bristol Parkway, But I am not aloud to go via London. By the way I am 14 years old so need a child fare!!

 

[yorkie]

It's probably cheaper to "split" in London, using a East Coast Advance fare between London & Newcastle.

This is because the 3 cheapest tiers are not available for journeys beyond King's Cross.

Tickets have been on sale for the end of December for a while, and demand will be high, so the best deals will have gone (but there are some £18.60 fares), but for the 9th of January, the tickets only went on sale recently, so are low (loads of £7.55 fares!)

 

[BradNufc]

I cant go via London because my mum don't want me changing in London but I have found a train from Didcot Parkway to Oxford (FGW) then Oxford to Banbury (BUS) then Banbury to Birmingham New Street (XC) then Birmingham to Leeds (XC) then Leeds to Newcastle but its £33.

On January 7th do you know why XC trains are calling at Lichfield City??

 

[yorkie]

Yes, XC are extremely expensive.

They sometimes call at Lichfield when diverted that way, I am unsure of the reasons, it could possibly to make up for the lack of a call at Tamworth, and possibly to partially compensate passengers from Lichfield if XC are taking up some of the paths of their local trains.

Have you tried "splitting" at Oxford, Birmingham, Derby, etc? As you are not returning the same day, there is less prospect for savings compared with a day-tripper, but it may still be cheaper. It can even be cheaper to split Advance fares on XC (which is not usually the case with other operators).

The problem with asking for the cheapest is that it's hard to find, and is often slower.

The cheapest combination via Birmingham would involve taking local stopping services, which I guess won't meet your needs.

There are also "loophole" tickets you can buy which would cover the journey and could well qualify as the "cheapest", but forum staff & fares advisors don't make such recommendations (but if that's what you want, and you make that clear, someone else might, perhaps via PM).

 

[sonic2009]

Have you considered X5 coach from Oxford - St Neots & then train from St Neots - Peterborough - Newcastle.

Or i think Megabus offer a direct service to Newcastle from Oxford Water Eaton park & ride.

 

[rebmcr]

I cant go via London because my mum don't want me changing in London but I have found a train from Didcot Parkway to Oxford (FGW) then Oxford to Banbury (BUS) then Banbury to Birmingham New Street (XC) then Birmingham to Leeds (XC) then Leeds to Newcastle but its £33.

Three trains and a bus is probably riskier than a change in London. Multiple changes anywhere are the same as London really, there's nothing special about it.

 

[yorkie]

Three trains and a bus is probably riskier than a change in London. Multiple changes anywhere are the same as London really, there's nothing special about it.

Agreed, and central London is safer than many places, but is perceived by parents to be riskier.

 

[bb21]

Yes, XC are extremely expensive.

They sometimes call at Lichfield when diverted that way, I am unsure of the reasons, it could possibly to make up for the lack of a call at Tamworth, and possibly to partially compensate passengers from Lichfield if XC are taking up some of the paths of their local trains.

The main purpose of the Lichfield call is to compensate for the lack of call at Tamworth, and replacement buses are laid on between Lichfield City and Tamworth.

A couple of XC services are booked that way for route knowledge each day but I don't think they call there.

 

[maniacmartin]

Agreed, and central London is safer than many places, but is perceived by parents to be riskier.

More staff and British Transport Police, frequent trains which are nicer than XC's and have better catering etc, cheaper Advance tickets if you split at London.

Perhaps BradNufc's mother could reconsider. I would not consider any of the non-London routes myself.

 

[soil]

On the 9th, £20.75 on the 08:35 or 10:35, with a change in Oxford. Straightforward.

On the 27th:

Itinerary:

Didcot - Oxford: First Great Western train 07:31, arr. 07:49
Oxford - Banbury: bus replacement 07:55, arr. 08:45
Banbury - Birmingham New Street - Cross Country train 08:54, arr. 09:48
Birmingham New Street - Newcastle Cross Country train, 10:30 arr. 13:45

Tickets:

Didcot - Banbury £4.25 Offpeak day single
Banbury - Birmingham New Street £4.25 Advance single (08:54 train)
Birmingham New Street - York £13 Advance (10:30 train)
York - Newcastle £6.25 Advance Advance (12:48 train)

Total: £27.75

Note that the Birmingham - Newcastle train is split into two advances on the same train. I'm not sure how reliable the scheduling is on the Oxford - Banbury bus replacement, but in theory you have 9 minutes, which is a valid connection. If you missed the train in Banbury, you'd board the 09:08 to Birmingham Moor Street (Chiltern Trains) instead, and then walk across to Birmingham New Street.

If you prefer to eliminate the bustitution, then:

07:12 from Didcot to Bristol Temple Meads arr. 08:17
08:30 from Bristol Temple Meads to Birmingham New Street, arr. 09:56

Then the same tickets/train between Birmingham and Newcastle as before.

Tickets: Didcot - Bristol Temple Meads £3.90 Advance (07:12)
Bristol Temple Meads - Cheltenham Spa £4.20 Off-Peak Day Single (or book an Advance for £4 if you really must, 08:30)
Cheltenham Spa - Birmingham New Street £5.50 Advance (09:12)

Total: £32.85 to Newcastle

It is possible to make this journey later also. There is a Birmingham - Newcastle Advance fare of £18.50 on the 17:03 and 19:30, and the £19.25 split at York is available every hour from 10:30 onwards, so you don't have to leave Didcot first thing if you don't want to. But around £30 is a good fare.

Easier: drive/taxi to Oxford then the Megabus direct to Newcastle.
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Second thoughts:

easiest option, two trains:

Didcot Parkway - Bristol Parkway 14:22 arrives 15:06
Bristol Parkway - Newcastle 15:40, arrives 20:33

Ticketing:

Didcot - Cheltenham Spa Super Off Peak Single Route: Any Permitted £12.40
Cheltenham Spa - Newcastle (16:11) £23.25 Advance

Total £35.65

 

[tractakid]

I cant go via London because my mum don't want me changing in London but I have found a train from Didcot Parkway to Oxford (FGW) then Oxford to Banbury (BUS) then Banbury to Birmingham New Street (XC) then Birmingham to Leeds (XC) then Leeds to Newcastle but its £33.

On January 7th do you know why XC trains are calling at Lichfield City??

Just in case anyone's confused, it appears to be January the 5th rather than 7th. Makes sense- the 5th is a Sunday.

 

[Temple Meads]

Agreed, and central London is safer than many places, but is perceived by parents to be riskier.

Indeed, I've never felt at all uneasy in Central London, the only real increased risk is from pickpockets, but be aware, don't give them an easy target, and you'll be fine.