Bedford to Manchester Routing

[amsutcliffe]

I'm travelling from Bedford to Manchester on Saturday, returning on Sunday. I can't fix journey times this stage, but I do have a season ticket from Bedford to London Thameslink.

I had assumed I would travel via Sheffield (using a £68.80 off-peak return), but it looks like it might be useful on Saturday to travel on the West Coast mainline. I think I could do that by buying a return from Bletchley to Manchester (£66.90), but that would mean I needed to return by the same route on Sunday (which would involve travelling via Euston, although I know the train wouldn't need to stop at Bletchley). I'd prefer not to pay £85.50, but would value the flexibility to choose the best route on Sunday.

I was wondering whether there are any other options for a ticket (or combination of tickets) of a similar (or ideally cheaper!) price that would allow me the choice of travelling via Sheffield or London on the return journey?

Many thanks

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

I'm travelling from Bedford to Manchester on Saturday, returning on Sunday. I can't fix journey times this stage, but I do have a season ticket from Bedford to London Thameslink.

I had assumed I would travel via Sheffield (using a £68.80 off-peak return), but it looks like it might be useful on Saturday to travel on the West Coast mainline. I think I could do that by buying a return from Bletchley to Manchester (£66.90), but that would mean I needed to return by the same route on Sunday (which would involve travelling via Euston, although I know the train wouldn't need to stop at Bletchley). I'd prefer not to pay £85.50, but would value the flexibility to choose the best route on Sunday.

I was wondering whether there are any other options for a ticket (or combination of tickets) of a similar (or ideally cheaper!) price that would allow me the choice of travelling via Sheffield or London on the return journey?

Many thanks

When you say that you'd like to return via the WCML, do you mean going via London or do you want to change at Milton Keynes, go one stop down to Bletchley and then take the Bletchley-Bedford dervice?

 

[causton]

When you say that you'd like to return via the WCML, do you mean going via London or do you want to change at Milton Keynes, go one stop down to Bletchley and then take the Bletchley-Bedford dervice?

No BLY - BDM service on a Sunday, so via Euston one would hope!

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

No BLY - BDM service on a Sunday, so via Euston one would hope!

Ah, I had thought there might be something like that but mixed it up with the Watford-St Alban's service!

 

[Hadders]

I assume you want travel out via Bletchley and return via Sheffield. If so a Ridgmont - Manchester Stations Off Peak Return costing £67.90 will work as it's valid both via Bletchley and Sheffield according to Webtis.

 

[Haywain]

An Off Peak Return from Bedford to Manchester route Chesterfield (£68.80) excessed to route Not via London for the WCML leg (£8.35 excess) would cover it all alongside your season ticket.

 

[amsutcliffe]

I assume you want travel out via Bletchley and return via Sheffield. If so a Ridgmont - Manchester Stations Off Peak Return costing £67.90 will work as it's valid both via Bletchley and Sheffield according to Webtis.

Thanks - that’s the answer for me. For some reason I didn’t think about checking stations along the Marston Vale line as an origin.

Much appreciated!

 

[30907]

Thanks - that’s the answer for me. For some reason I didn’t think about checking stations along the Marston Vale line as an origin.

Much appreciated!

You will, of course, need to pay Bedford to Ridgmont on the way out.

 

[Hadders]

You will, of course, need to pay Bedford to Ridgmont on the way out.

The OP's season ticket will cover that.