Booking tickets for Newcastle to Wigan

[spoony]

Travelling next Saturday and want to purchase tickets to travel Newcastle - Wigan returning the same day for 3 people. I plan on booking them on Wednesday (pay day) Was going to get day returns and split the journey at York and Manchester in stead of a through ticket. My question is will I be able to book seats on the Newcastle - York and then York Manchester so we can sit together, but the ticket still be valid if we miss the set train?

Cheers

Chris.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Yes. Buy your tickets at a booking office at least 2 hours before the train departs its origin station.

Ask to make seat reservations, you should be able to do so free of charge.

I'd do it sooner rather than later to increase your chances of all sitting together!

 

[yorkie]

Travelling next Saturday and want to purchase tickets to travel Newcastle - Wigan returning the same day for 3 people. I plan on booking them on Wednesday (pay day) Was going to get day returns and split the journey at York and Manchester in stead of a through ticket.

That may be a good idea...

WGN-NCL Off Peak Return £63.60 (8A Valid on any train)

Wigan-Manchester Off Peak Day Return £3.30
Manchester-York Off Peak Return £24.40
York-Newcastle Off Peak Return £23.30
Total = £51.00 (All valid on any train on a Saturday)

You can save £5.50 if you get a stopping train between Leeds and York, splitting at Church Fenton (MAN-CHF Off Peak Day Return is only £18.90)

My question is will I be able to book seats on the Newcastle - York and then York Manchester so we can sit together, but the ticket still be valid if we miss the set train?

Cheers

Chris.

The ticket will be valid on any train providing you do not buy "Advance" tickets.

There are lots of tables on Class 185s. If you are going all the way on TPE then you will get a table for sure, if one isn't available when you first board then one will become available! Reservation labels are not always put out - in which case it's a free-for-all. Personally I wouldn't bother, given the high abundance of tables and the high long distance fares put off those passengers meaning these trains are mostly used for short-hop daytrippers on CDRs so a table is bound to be available at some point.

 

[tony_mac]

Well, in theory, you could split at Darlington and use a £22.80 Middlesbrough to Carlisle return.

EC will allow you to book via Manchester on the return journey, but not on the outward.
Raileasy allows going via Manchester both ways, but is a bit picky about going via Wigan.

Personally, I would go via Carlisle anyway!
Newcastle to Carlisle £14.20
Carlisle to Preston £17.50
Preston to Wigan £6.20