3 minute connection at Hove on an advance? Doable?

[gray1404]

I have an advance ticket where I have a 3 minute connection at Hove. I'm travelling from Brighton to Hove, Hove to London and London to the North on an advance. I have counted place reservations on the trains including the 2 Southern services.

I arrive in Hove at 10.17 and depart at 10.20 is this doable?

Other options are catch the train before from Brighton to Hove or walk to Hove and start my journey there.

 

[yorkie]

Is it crucial to your plans for the day that you make the connection?

If so, allow extra time for the connection.

If you would like to reduce the chances of a missed connection, specify advanced options: change at Hove and add some additional interchange time of your choice (which is added to the 2-minute minimum):


e.g. specifying an extra 5 mins would allow a total of 7 mins.

It looks like the subway is roughly in the middle of the platform, but I don't know where the trains stop or how many coaches they have, but someone else may be able to state the optimal door to alight from.

 

[MrJeeves]

I have an advance ticket where I have a 3 minute connection at Hove. I'm travelling from Brighton to Hove, Hove to London and London to the North on an advance. I have counted place reservations on the trains including the 2 Southern services.

I arrive in Hove at 10.17 and depart at 10.20 is this doable?

Other options are catch the train before from Brighton to Hove or walk to Hove and start my journey there.

In my experience, it's much more likely for your connection to be delayed than the service starting from Brighton which takes you to Hove.

 

[saismee]

Is it crucial to your plans for the day that you make the connection?

This is the most important question. I've made countless questionable connections but only because there are few repercussions to missing my connection. Do some research about the station you are changing at and which platforms you need to get between. Monitor OpenTrainTimes maps to ensure that a platform alteration is unlikely and prepare for the (potentially) mad dash. Boarding the first train at a specific end can help a lot depending on which direction you need to go to get to the footbridge/subway.

Ideally, you should give yourself more than the minimum connection time (usually 5 minutes) as this entitles you to delay repay or the option to board the next train even if you miss the first connection with an advance ticket. I tried to search for minimum connection times at Hove, but didn't find anything.

In my cases, it was a connection from platform 2 to 5 at Cambridge with 3 minutes, and a 2 minute change on the same platform at Colchester. These are easily doable, as no crossing tracks (via footbridge/subway/level crossing) is required. It looks like your connection is between platforms 2 and 3, which will require using the subway at Hove, so you should figure out the closest doors to the subway.

Another important question: do you have mobility issues? This could make it much more difficult to make the connection. Maybe it's just a better idea to arrive 10-15 minutes early, as advance tickets can't be refunded if your delay is no fault of the railway.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It looks like the subway is roughly in the middle of the platform, but I don't know where the trains stop or how many coaches they have, but someone else may be able to state the optimal door to alight from.

It is near the middle, but as to where the stop marks are located to calculate to optimum carriage... I suspect @Hassocks5489 would know the answer to that.

Personally I'd take fright at a +3 anywhere, even if - as stated above - the connection is likely to be delayed. I'd absolutely not rely on that, even if it's true 99% of the time... Sod's Law and all that...

 

[gray1404]

I have the tickets and a through itinerary already. 3 minutes is the official minimum connection time for Hove.

I don't mind missing the connection in that I can travel later. Next service is 30 minutes later. Connection from London is hourly. What would be difficult is if both trains arrive on time but I still miss the connection.

If someone could advice on the best part of the train ex Brighton to travel on (I think Southampton services are usually 4 cars) so I'm near the subway when I get off. Failing that I'll go for middle of whatever turns up and try to get the train before from Brighton if I'm in time. I think I'd get away with that as the train before does not offer counted place reservations.

 

[Hassocks5489]

I would suggest the second coach, ideally towards the rear of it. At Hove station, look to the right first to see along the platform to observe whether the London train is arriving; then head through the exit doors and immediately turn left to reach the subway. The lifts are not working at the moment. 3 minutes is comfortably doable at average walking pace; even 1 minute is achievable, albeit tight. There will usually be people doing this connection.

If you do prefer to walk, allow more than half an hour "station to station". I can do it in 25 minutes, but I walk quickly. Stick to the left-hand side of the roads all the way. The frequent #7 bus is also an option; at that time of day it shouldn't encounter much traffic congestion, and there aren't any roadworks en route at the moment.

 

[yorkie]

This is the most important question. I've made countless questionable connections but only because there are few repercussions to missing my connection. Do some research about the station you are changing at and which platforms you need to get between. Monitor OpenTrainTimes maps to ensure that a platform alteration is unlikely and prepare for the (potentially) mad dash. Boarding the first train at a specific end can help a lot depending on which direction you need to go to get to the footbridge/subway.

Ideally, you should give yourself more than the minimum connection time...

To be clear, it is a valid itinerary, but anyone who wants to avoid tight connections should consider allowing additional time, if a delay would cause a problem (e.g. if on your way to an important event).

Our booking site allows this (booking with us also helps us with the forum's running costs!)

On the other hand, there are others who always allow plenty of time for their journeys, are never in a rush, and are very happy to go for tight connections, as if the incoming train is delayed and the connection is missed, they can claim compensation (e.g. @Egg Centric )

 

[Egg Centric]

On the other hand, there are others who always allow plenty of time for their journeys, are never in a rush, and are very happy to go for tight connections, as if the incoming train is delayed and the connection is missed, they can claim compensation (e.g. @Egg Centric )

Guilty

 

[dastocks]

I would probably walk to Hove - I live between Brighton and Hove stations - or grab a bus (number 7).

Your 10:17 arrival is a train to Southampton which could easily be subject to a delayed start from Brighton. You will need to use the subway at Hove in order to catch the London service, potentially against a flow of passengers coming the other way to leave the station.

 

[gray1404]

Thanks for the advice. I'll get in the second coach and leave the second door is it. Then do a left and down the subway when I get off. I am assuming the Southampton train is a 4 coach service.

I will be setting out from my friends apartment who is by Waitrose Brighton. So I am near the bus stop for the 7. Google is showing a 30 minute walk to Hove station and a 15 minute walk to Brighton.

Am I likely to encounter problems getting through the barrier at Hove starting late on an Advance ticket?

 

[Hassocks5489]

You should be fine to pass through the Hove barrier: the regular staff on the gateline there are very good and helpful, in my experience.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Thanks for the advice. I'll get in the second coach and leave the second door is it. Then do a left and down the subway when I get off. I am assuming the Southampton train is a 4 coach service.

It was 387 222 today, if that helps.