London to Aberystwyth - where can I change?

[321362]

I have an Off-Peak Return from London to Aberystwyth (Via Birmingham). If I want to change somewhere that isn't Birmingham New Street (I was looking at Sandwell & Dudley as it's the same platform) would that be allowed by the ticket?

If need be I can attach picture of the ticket with personal details blurred.

Much appreciated

321362

 

[Ollie29]

Hello,

I believe so as you'd still be going via Birmingham as the avanti to S&D would call at Birmingham and then your train from S&D would have come from Birmingham

 

[Merseysider]

Yes; there are no restrictions on where you change train (unless using an Advance fare).

Sandwell may well be the best option - it's a very simple station with 2 platforms - just be aware that if you need the bathroom it's down the stairs and outside the station front.

Wolverhampton isn't a terrible option, as it does have station facilities including a cafe, coffee shop and Co-Op food, but it is a bit busier.

If you are changing onto a train which starts at Birmingham International you may wish to consider changing there if you have the time, it's got a few platforms but at least that way you'll have a seat. TfW trains can get very busy at times, especially if there is disruption and/or a 2-car turns up vice 4!

 

[MarlowDonkey]

I have an Off-Peak Return from London to Aberystwyth (Via Birmingham). If I want to change somewhere that isn't Birmingham New Street (I was looking at Sandwell & Dudley as it's the same platform) would that be allowed by the ticket?

Assuming it's just one ticket, you can change trains anywhere along the route. It can sometimes be financially expedient to have tickets split somewhere in the Midlands. If that's the case, the train has to stop at the splitting point. I think everything goes via New Street, I'm not so sure about stopping at Sandwell.

 

[321362]

Yes; there are no restrictions on where you change train (unless using an Advance fare).

Sandwell may well be the best option - it's a very simple station with 2 platforms - just be aware that if you need the bathroom it's down the stairs and outside the station front.

Wolverhampton isn't a terrible option, as it does have station facilities including a cafe, coffee shop and Co-Op food, but it is a bit busier.

If you are changing onto a train which starts at Birmingham International you may wish to consider changing there if you have the time, it's got a few platforms but at least that way you'll have a seat. TfW trains can get very busy at times, especially if there is disruption and/or a 2-car turns up vice 4!

Much appreciated all.

Think I'll change at International as the family all have very particular needs for seats (only forwards, tables, windows etc)

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would echo the recommendation to change at Birmingham International for this journey, as that way you get the best choice of seats.

 

[Tester]

Much appreciated all.

Think I'll change at International as the family all have very particular needs for seats (only forwards, tables, windows etc)

That is a very sensible idea.

It may well not be cross-platform, but all platforms have lifts.

 

[jfollows]

I would echo the recommendation to change at Birmingham International for this journey, as that way you get the best choice of seats.

Agreed.
There’s an “any permitted“ ticket which allows travel via Stafford, but @321362 is using the cheaper “via Birmingham” ticket which removes this option.

 

[Bletchleyite]

FWIW the other way I'd consider Wolves for the same reason - more pick of seats before the hordes get on at New St. But note that some services have a long dwell at New St which may affect connections.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Oct 2025 ==

Agreed.
There’s an “any permitted“ ticket which allows travel via Stafford, but @321362 is using the cheaper “via Birmingham” ticket which removes this option.

For clarity (I misread this - hence the edit) the option under discussion in the quoted reply was Stafford. This might be slightly quicker but I'd not otherwise recommend it because it's an extra change. Avanti to International and one change onto TfW is in my view the only sensible way to complete this journey unless saving money by using Chiltern, and if saving by using WMT the same applies.

 

[jfollows]

FWIW the other way I'd consider Wolves for the same reason - more pick of seats before the hordes get on at New St. But note that some services have a long dwell at New St which may affect connections.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Oct 2025 ==



For clarity (I misread this - hence the edit) the option under discussion in the quoted reply was Stafford. This might be slightly quicker but I'd not otherwise recommend it because it's an extra change. Avanti to International and one change onto TfW is in my view the only sensible way to complete this journey unless saving money by using Chiltern, and if saving by using WMT the same applies.

I obviously wasn’t clear; all I was saying is that Stafford is a valid route with the “any permitted” ticket but not with the “via Birmingham“ one actually being used.

EDIT I think we are in agreement!

 

[StarCrossing]

If planning to change at International, keep an eye on the inbound working of the TfW train. If it's running very late, they may turn it round at New Street instead of International.

 

[Belperpete]

FWIW the other way I'd consider Wolves for the same reason - more pick of seats before the hordes get on at New St.

Most TfW services arrive into New St at xx.32, and connect into an xx.47 Avanti service to London that starts empty at New St. If you change at Wolverhampton you obviously won't be catching that train. Instead you will be catching an Avanti service running half an hour later that has come from Scotland and could already be quite full. Only worth changing at Wolverhampton if heading to London if the TfW service is running so late there is no hope of making the earlier connection at New St.

Going toward Aberystwyth, I always change at International by preference as you are getting on when the train is relatively empty. However, as a previous poster has said, always keep an eye on something like the live departures board on your mobile to check that the TfW service isn't being started short from New St or even Wolverhampton. And also keep an eye on how your Avanti service is running: if it is running significantly late, they sometimes let the TfW service go first, in which case it can be worth staying on the Avanti until Wolverhampton as they sometimes let it overtake the TfW service at New St. And sometimes not, and the Avanti just follows the TfW service all the way through to Wolverhampton, it can be a bit of a gamble.

 

[LittleRedTrain]

Much appreciated all.

Think I'll change at International as the family all have very particular needs for seats (only forwards, tables, windows etc)

Worth remembering for the 'only forwards' requirement that the train will reverse direction at Shrewsbury, so worth getting a table as a group to allow the required 'musical chairs'

It's also possible that you might have to change between trains at Shrewsbury even if it's shown ss a through train.

 

[Tester]

Worth remembering for the 'only forwards' requirement that the train will reverse direction at Shrewsbury, so worth getting a table as a group to allow the required 'musical chairs'

It's also possible that you might have to change between trains at Shrewsbury even if it's shown ss a through train.

That's a good thing to add.

Shrewsbury changes are unusual but not unheard of - but the reversal is guaranteed!

 

[Belperpete]

Worth remembering for the 'only forwards' requirement that the train will reverse direction at Shrewsbury, so worth getting a table as a group to allow the required 'musical chairs'

It's also possible that you might have to change between trains at Shrewsbury even if it's shown ss a through train.

Also that because of the reversal, the Aberystwyth portion will be the rear 2 cars from International to Shrewsbury, but the front 2 cars after Shrewsbury.

 

[Harpo]

It's also possible that you might have to change between trains at Shrewsbury even if it's shown ss a through train.

Yes! One of ATW’s many regular mid-journey set swap locations, a ‘feature’ probably unique to ATW with about 8 regular locations across ATW including Machynlleth and Dovey Jn(!), usually for the Pwllheli portion when running 2 cars vice 4.

ATW’s semi-regular failure to reach International has been mentioned above as a reason to monitor the inward working on RTT. It will also show the train formation and, of course, anything other than an ETCS 158 is a guaranteed set swap.

 

[fandroid]

I'd strongly recommend changing at the first possible station - Birmingham International. I went on much the same route recently ( to Aberdovey) and the train was full and standing from Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury. In fact, the Avanti TM recommended this several times over the PA. But, to be sure, check online as you travel that the TfW train isn't starting short at New Street or elsewhere.

 

[David57]

This is a similar journey to a trip that I am taking on Wednesday, albeit from Long Buckby, to Aberystwyth, and the change at B'ham International from my LNW train to the TFWL one, gives five minutes connection (10.03-10.08).
I am not the most mobile person these days, but I am aware of the layout of BHI, but five minutes is not a lot of time to change...

 

[Bletchleyite]

This is a similar journey to a trip that I am taking on Wednesday, albeit from Long Buckby, to Aberystwyth, and the change at B'ham International from my LNW train to the TFL one, gives five minutes connection (10.03-10.08).
I am not the most mobile person these days, but I am aware of the layout of BHI, but five minutes is not a lot of time to change...

That's too tight for the slightly sloppy timekeeping of WMT. I'd definitely go for 35 for that change.

 

[Haywain]

This is a similar journey to a trip that I am taking on Wednesday, albeit from Long Buckby, to Aberystwyth, and the change at B'ham International from my LNW train to the TFWL one, gives five minutes connection (10.03-10.08).
I am not the most mobile person these days, but I am aware of the layout of BHI, but five minutes is not a lot of time to change...

So, I shouldn't rely on you to save me a seat for when I join the train at New Street (almost 40 minutes between trains - time for a beer or two at the Spoons)?

 

[LittleRedTrain]

I am not the most mobile person these days, but I am aware of the layout of BHI, but five minutes is not a lot of time to change...

One issue at Birmingham International is that, for an airport station, the lifts are *tiny*.

Had to change there earlier this year with luggage, two old folks (one on a mobility scooter) and a person on crutches. What should've been an easy same platform connection was messed up by a short notice alteration from P1 to P5. It was touch and go to get all the passengers across in time, because of the number of times the lift needed to cycle to handle everyone that needed it!

It didn't help that our booked assistance offloaded us and then just disappeared without making sure we were safely transferred!

 

[David57]

Thinking about it, I think the five minute connection is going to be too tight, even though it is valid and bought through this site, it has restriction CS (not valid before 09.00), so I plan to get the 08.45 train from Long Buckby, which arrives at Rugby at 09.02.
If I buy a peak ticket from LBK to RUG, will that make my original ticket valid?

 

[Belperpete]

Thinking about it, I think the five minute connection is going to be too tight, even though it is valid and bought through this site, it has restriction CS (not valid before 09.00), so I plan to get the 08.45 train from Long Buckby, which arrives at Rugby at 09.02.
If I buy a peak ticket from LBK to RUG, will that make my original ticket valid?

Provided that your original ticket allows break of journey, then you should be okay to start that journey short at Rugby. And provided that the train stops at Rugby, you should be able to split ticket the journey. However, you may have an issue if you present your original ticket to an on-board RPI who thinks you used it to travel from LBK.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Provided that your original ticket allows break of journey, then you should be okay to start that journey short at Rugby. And provided that the train stops at Rugby, you should be able to split ticket the journey. However, you may have an issue if you present your original ticket to an on-board RPI who thinks you used it to travel from LBK.

Showing the other ticket should avoid that issue. Not saying that some won't be awkward though.

 

[David57]

Thanks for the replies, think I will risk the five minute connection, it's valid, and if it doesn't work, I will get my delay/repay!

 

[parkender102]

I used to use the TFW Service from Birmingham International to get back to Wrexham via Shrewsbury (Original Journey starting at London Euston). This was because Off Peak Single London Euston to Shrewsbury was only £15 and I used to get an add on fare to Wrexham. The train starts at Birmingham International and always plenty of seats. As you approach Birmingham New Street the crowds are waiting to get on 2-3 deep! I vowed never to join this Service at New Street (which is a horrible station anyway).

 

[dvboy]

If for some reason Birmingham International isn’t an option then go for Wolverhampton instead, as there will be many people using it between New Street and Wolves, it should be a bit easier to get seats thereafter.

 

[Belperpete]

Thanks for the replies, think I will risk the five minute connection, it's valid, and if it doesn't work, I will get my delay/repay!

You will get a 2 hour delay, as if you miss the 1008, the next Aberystwyth service isn't until 1208. Yes you will get delay repay, but it may be small recompense for such a long delay

I make a similar journey very regularly, often weekly. I use one of the online tools to find the platform number for the TfW train before I arrive into International, so I can go straight to the platform without wasting time trying to find the departure display, and also to check that they aren't starting the TfW train from New St or Wolverhampton.

If my train into International is running late, I look at the map on OTT to see if they are letting the TfW service out first. If so, I stay on my Avanti service to New Street or Wolverhampton in the hope of catching it up. If I still miss it, I will catch the next WMT service to Shrewsbury, as Shrewsbury is a far more pleasant place to spend a couple of hours. Also, a lot of passengers will have emptied the TfW train by the time it reaches Shrewsbury, making it much easier to get a seat at Shrewsbury. And if they are doing a set swap at Shrewsbury, you might even get on the new set before the train from Brum has arrived.

The only problem with joining at Shrewsbury if you are not familiar with the service is knowing which half of the train to join. They announce the front half is for .... and the rear half is for .... but this is singularly unhelpful for a train which is reversing! For Aberystwyth, you generally want the rear half as the train arrives, which will be the front half when the train departs, i.e. the half closest to the massive Severn Bridge Junction signalbox.

 

[nwales58]

You will get a 2 hour delay, as if you miss the 1008, the next Aberystwyth service isn't until 1208.

though in the afternoon and evening, 1408 from International onwards, Shrewsbury-Aberyswyth is hourly.

 

[Krokodil]

Also that because of the reversal, the Aberystwyth portion will be the rear 2 cars from International to Shrewsbury, but the front 2 cars after Shrewsbury.

And ignore the departure indicators which routinely show the wrong way around (and have done for years)