All Line Rover Trip (7 days)

[RyanB]

First of all I don't know if this is the correct place to post this, so mods do please feel free to move this as you see fit.

This summer I am planning to do an All Line Rover trip using a 7 day ALR, obviously I know the cost of the ticket but I'd like to know how much money I should set aside for accommodation and food.

I'd also like opinions on where I should go out with the rails.

Also are there places that I should avoid?

Any help you fine folks can help me with will be greatly appreciated

R

 

[transportphoto]

Also are there places that I should avoid?

I don't want to put you off, however it is very likely that trains will be busier and accomodation will be dearer this summer because of the wonderful olympic games. This applies nationwide, not just London
TP

 

[Deerfold]

I don't want to put you off, however it is very likely that trains will be busier and accomodation will be dearer this summer because of the wonderful olympic games. This applies nationwide, not just London
TP

On the other hand some connections may be easier due to the additional early and late trains which will be running (eg 0407 LDS - KGX).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

This summer I am planning to do an All Line Rover trip using a 7 day ALR, obviously I know the cost of the ticket but I'd like to know how much money I should set aside for accommodation and food.

That's a very hard question to answer without knowing what sort of accommodation and food you like.

I regularly stay in London - I am doing tonight. I've paid £7.50 for my room (thought you'd struggle to find this rate in Summer).

It's shared with 9 other people as it's a Youth Hostel. Some people are happy with this (some even prefer it). Others would prefer 5* luxury and will be paying a 3 figure sum for the night.

 

[calc7]

Assuming you're happy with a room for the night and the option of breakfast should you want it, try and get some £19 Travelodge rooms. As far as I know they're yield-managed, so book early.

 

[table38]

There are some suggestions for accommodation in this thread

 

[RyanB]

I was thinking mostly youth hostels and staying outside of London, I've a fair amount of money set aside for this trip and a few other things. I thought about doing it a couple years ago, but couldn't scrape together enough money.

Out of interest has anyone ever taken either sleeper on an ALR trip?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

On the other hand some connections may be easier due to the additional early and late trains which will be running (eg 0407 LDS - KGX).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


That's a very hard question to answer without knowing what sort of accommodation and food you like.

I regularly stay in London - I am doing tonight. I've paid £7.50 for my room (thought you'd struggle to find this rate in Summer).

It's shared with 9 other people as it's a Youth Hostel. Some people are happy with this (some even prefer it). Others would prefer 5* luxury and will be paying a 3 figure sum for the night.

As for what sort of accommodation, anything that isn't completely filthy and horrid (so looking at youth hostels mostly or places in a similar mould) as for food, I'm not fussed as long as I can at least get toast or Weetabix for breakfast and buy a sandwich somewhere.)

 

[kar3emosman]

I was thinking mostly youth hostels and staying outside of London, I've a fair amount of money set aside for this trip and a few other things. I thought about doing it a couple years ago, but couldn't scrape together enough money.

Out of interest has anyone ever taken either sleeper on an ALR trip?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


As for what sort of accommodation, anything that isn't completely filthy and horrid (so looking at youth hostels mostly or places in a similar mould) as for food, I'm not fussed as long as I can at least get toast or Weetabix for breakfast and buy a sandwich somewhere.)

I think a sleeper is a must. I've read quite a few trip reports here and most of the people who do the ALR take the sleeper.

For my ALR plans I am planning to do 4 sleepers. INV, FTW, PAD-PNZ and PNZ-PAD.

 

[yorkie]

When are you travelling? I predict a Travelodge sale in about 5 weeks time, for stays in the Spring/Summer.

I'd say June is the best time to do this if possible for maximum daylight (which is ideal for the West Highland Line and Far North Line especially!)

 

[AlterEgo]

Also, when planning your trips, don't forget about the restrictions on the ALR:

Subject to the restrictions shown below, the All Line Rail Rover (7 day) ticket allows unlimited travel on most National Rail services for 7 consecutive days.

It does not include the charge for seat reservations, where payable.

The All Line Rail Rover is valid for travel on:

ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper services in seated coaches (reservations compulsory) or in a berth with the payment of the appropriate supplement.
First Great Western Night Riviera Sleeper services in seated coaches (reservations recommended but not compulsory) or in a berth with payment of the appropriate supplement.
Ffestiniog Railway.



The All Lines Rail Rover is NOT valid for travel on Eurostar, Heathrow Express, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway and Croydon Tramlink, private railways (except Ffestiniog Railway) or on any shipping service.

Additionally it is also not available for travel on Heathrow Connect services between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow.

The All Lines Rail Rover is NOT valid for boarding or alighting train services operated by CrossCountry, East Coast, East Midlands Trains, or Virgin Trains before 10:00 Mondays to Fridays at the following stations:

Birmingham New Street
Bedford
London Euston
London Kings Cross
London St Pancras International
Luton
Luton Airport Parkway
Milton Keynes Central
Stevenage
Watford Junction
No restrictions apply on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr20780b0a0400020167ed620a7e504e/details.html

 

[142094]

I've heard that hotel bookings are actually down as people don't want to travel due to the Games - at least outside of London that is. Still, you should be able to get some sort of hotel/hostel even with them on.

In 2008 I did a 7 day ALR and budgeted around £500 including the ticket. Think accommodation was between £150-£200 for B+Bs, then the rest of the money for food etc. Good thing about B+Bs was the Full English - didn't really have to eat until later in the day, which saved a bit.

 

[Lrd]

I have been using www.hostelworld.com for booking nights away. They deal with independent hostels, hotels, B&B's etc and have some very good prices.

 

[Deerfold]

I have been using www.hostelworld.com for booking nights away. They deal with independent hostels, hotels, B&B's etc and have some very good prices.

I've booked a couple of hundred times with them - I'd say do pay attention to the reviews. Most hostels are reasonable so long as you're not expecting luxury. A handful are dreadful. If you're booking several trips it's worth paying a fiver for a gold card so they don't charge you £1 booking fee each time. This is valid for a year. I was lucky enough to be able to get one that doesn't expire in an offer some years back but I've never seen them do that offer again.

There's a few hostels which are on www.hostelbookers.co.uk which are not on the other site.

Last time I looked the prices being quoted during the Olympics in London were outrageous. Some other places are doing this - we were looking at renting a cottage in Wales for a family holiday but they wanted double what they were charging in 2011 so we're looking at going abroad.

 

[RyanB]

When are you travelling? I predict a Travelodge sale in about 5 weeks time, for stays in the Spring/Summer.

I'd say June is the best time to do this if possible for maximum daylight (which is ideal for the West Highland Line and Far North Line especially!)

Summer for sure as to what time I don't know, probably before August, so possibly start of July or maybe mid June.

As for purchasing the ticket, does it have to be done in advance or can you do it on the first day of travel?

 

[Lrd]

As for purchasing the ticket, does it have to be done in advance or can you do it on the first day of travel?

Can be done on the day.