Barnstaple to Yarmouth IOW May 17

[Wuz]

I have previously traveled by Yeovil Jtn, bus to Pen Mill, to Dorchester West, walked to Dorchester South and then went (that time) to Poole.
Would this be much cheaper than the expected Basingstoke and back down to Lymington? It would have to be worthwhile as I was lucky not to get soaked last time!
If it's worthwhile I might consider coming back via Dorchester as would prefer to risk getting wet on way back!

Can't book yet, as tickets not released.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Never been to the IOW and will be getting a bus from Yarmouth to Newport where I am staying.

Wuz

 

[Gloster]

I have previously traveled by Yeovil Jtn, bus to Pen Mill, to Dorchester West, walked to Dorchester South and then went (that time) to Poole.
Would this be much cheaper than the expected Basingstoke and back down to Lymington? It would have to be worthwhile as I was lucky not to get soaked last time!
If it's worthwhile I might consider coming back via Dorchester as would prefer to risk getting wet on way back!

Can't book yet, as tickets not released.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Never been to the IOW and will be getting a bus from Yarmouth to Newport where I am staying.

Wuz

Where are you going on the Isle of Wight?

You could also go via Salisbury to Southampton and then down to Lymington (Pier) with a change at Brockenhurst. Or you could go by Red Funnel across to East Cowes or Cowes and then bus, which will involve going into Newport and changing: buses £2 flat a leg, unless you have a ENCT card.

EDIT: I see on rereading that you are going to Newport. It is just as easy to go via Red Funnel and then bus: the Southampton-East Cowes car ferry is, I think, slightly cheaper (and probably more reliable) than the Southampton-Cowes RedJet. I think, but am not certain, that you can get through rail fares from Barnstaple to East Cowes or Cowes, and possibly ones that include the bus fare to Newport. (Although the bus fare is only £2 each way and it is possible that any rail ‘inclusive’ price for it would be more.) I don’t know if the bus across Southampton is included.

 

[Wuz]

I have previously traveled by Yeovil Jtn, bus to Pen Mill, to Dorchester West, walked to Dorchester South and then went (that time) to Poole.
Would this be much cheaper than the expected Basingstoke and back down to Lymington? It would have to be worthwhile as I was lucky not to get soaked last time!
If it's worthwhile I might consider coming back via Dorchester as would prefer to risk getting wet on way back!

Can't book yet, as tickets not released.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Never been to the IOW and will be getting a bus from Yarmouth to Newport where I am staying.

Wuz

Where are you going on the Isle of Wight?

You could also go via Salisbury to Southampton and then down to Lymington (Pier) with a change at Brockenhurst. Or you could go by Red Funnel across to East Cowes or Cowes and then bus, which will involve going into Newport and changing: buses £2 flat a leg, unless you have a ENCT card.

EDIT: I see on rereading that you are going to Newport. It is just as easy to go via Red Funnel and then bus: the Southampton-East Cowes car ferry is, I think, slightly cheaper (and probably more reliable) than the Southampton-Cowes RedJet. I think, but am not certain, that you can get through rail fares from Barnstaple to East Cowes or Cowes, and possibly ones that include the bus fare to Newport. (Although the bus fare is only £2 each way and it is possible that any rail ‘inclusive’ price for it would be more.) I don’t know if the bus across Southampton is included.

Thanks Gloster,

I will consider this and have a bus pass so there would be no charge I have also just thought of going via Upwey or Weymouth to avoid the Dorchester walk.
As i can't book the tickets I have a while to think. I was confused by some Monday - Friday GWR advance tickets being released already.

Wuz

 

[Gloster]

To recap: the simplest is probably Barnstaple-Exeter-Salisbury-Southampton, bus across to the quay and then whichever of the two ferry routes you prefer. At both East Cowes and Cowes it is only five minutes walk to the bus stop and the services (1 from Cowes and 5 from East Cowes) go to Newport bus station. The bus across Southampton is Blue Star’s Quayconnect.

 

[Haywain]

I have also just thought of going via Upwey or Weymouth to avoid the Dorchester walk.

It looks as though you are trying to make the journey as complex as possible. The simplest options are Barnstaple-Exeter-Salisbury/Westbury/Reading-Southampton, all of which eliminate random walks and buses. If you do choose to go via Dorchester the walk between the stations takes about 5 minutes.

 

[fandroid]

It looks as though you are trying to make the journey as complex as possible. The simplest options are Barnstaple-Exeter-Salisbury/Westbury/Reading-Southampton, all of which eliminate random walks and buses. If you do choose to go via Dorchester the walk between the stations takes about 5 minutes.

To clarify these choices.

From Exeter

either go to Westbury and change there for Southampton
or go to Salisbury and change there for the same Westbury-Southampton service. The latter route is likely to be cheaper.

You can go to Reading, as not all London services stop at Westbury, but it could be more expensive

 

[Wuz]

Thanks to all for your input.

I hope to take the advice and go via Salisbury and Southampton.

I last traveled in 2018 to Woodbridge mostly using Advance First tickets. I went via GWR, but due to engineering came back from Waterloo. I remember booking as earlier as I could to get the advance tickets.

Following my asking on the Introducing RailUK board, post 857 I will not be booking now but probably in late March.

Sorry I've forgotten how to do links.

Thanks again,

Wuz

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