All Line Rover & Night Riviera

[manxqueenies]

Hoping someone can put my mind at rest - I enjoy a few weeks of traveling on an all line rover annually including sleepers on Scotrail and FGW. Had a bit of a battle this year thinking rules have changed or everyone's gone jobsworth...

Successfully managed to book a berth on the EUS-FTW Cal Sleeper through the Scotrail telesales - took a few referrals but sorted. Tried same with FGW and first call advised no problem but systems not showing sleeper berths today - called back and after quite some struggling to understand the indian call centre agent was finally told that I could no longer book a berth to go with an all line rover - all they could offer was a free seated reservation or I had to purchase a travel ticket with berth. Website does not say these restrictions but they were adamant.

Eventually they sold me a PAD-TRU solo berth and travel ticket for £49 all in with railcard - seems £4 extra for ticket too cheap - can this be true or will I end up at station and be in a seat or shared cabin - can anyone advise?

 

[yorkie]

There does indeed appear to be a sleeper inclusive advance ticket at £49. A good deal, certainly.

On the FSR sleepers, if you plan far enough in advance, it's cheaper to get a Bargain Berth than pay a supplement with an ALR. Problem is the Bargain Berths can sell out on the day they go on sale!

 

[bnm]

All I can say is you won't end up in a shared berth. FGW no longer double up strangers in berths. If you are travelling alone on the Night Riviera you are guaranteed a single berth.

You'll get free Volo telly as well!

 

[shinkansen1966]

Last Friday night, did the FGW Night Riviera all the way from Paddington to Penzance. Really enjoyed it. Woke up just as we pulled into Truro and greeted to a view of the cathedral.

 

[rail-britain]

Eventually they sold me a PAD-TRU solo berth and travel ticket for £49 all in with railcard - seems £4 extra for ticket too cheap - can this be true or will I end up at station and be in a seat or shared cabin - can anyone advise?

I would suggest you photocopy the ticket, reservation, and receipt
Send a formal complaint to First Great Western, pointing out that All Line Rail Rovers are accepted and there is no reason why it should not have been accepted on payment of the berth supplement

 

[mrcheek]

Maybe FGW have finally decided, like FSR, to charge extra for berths for ALR users, and National Rail have once more forgotten to alter their website!

It does seem odd that FSR make a charge, but FGW dont or didnt. After all, FGW sleepers have apparently seen a big increase in demand lately.

 

[rail-britain]

Maybe FGW have finally decided, like FSR, to charge extra for berths for ALR users, and National Rail have once more forgotten to alter their website

There is no additional charge for using a ALR
There is a supplement to use the sleeper berth
The same supplement would apply if you had an Open Ticket

That is also the same method that should be used for booking, the ticket is then cancelled

 

[manxqueenies]

Many thanks for all your replies - I'll feel more confident in the journey. Not sure I'll use the volo telly being such a late departure but looking forward to morning in cornwall. will take up with FGW and see if any constructive response.

 

[rail-britain]

I wasn't impressed by the Volo TV, but did at least manage to watch one programme
You may need to supply your own headphones / earphones, the time I travelled they had none
Thankfully I carry a pair of Virgin Trains headphones so used those

Even though my trip was in June / July, it was not possible to observe the route much after departure
Thankfully I had done this southbound

 

[At_traction]

There is no additional charge for using a ALR
There is a supplement to use the sleeper berth
The same supplement would apply if you had an Open Ticket

I assume the supplement is the price quoted on the FGW website:

Standard: single berth cabin £45
Standard: twin berth cabin (bunk-style beds) £30 per berth

And this price is iron-clad, bargain berth prices only applying to train ticket + berth combinations?

Here's a travel report with photos and extra info.

Haven't travelled in sleepers in aeons. Hmmm, might be about time next summer. Although I guess they are most booked just then...