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Birmingham [BHM] to Cardiff [CDF] route.
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SS4
Established Member
I prefer LM and Chiltern to XC but as long as you have a seat reservation it's not awful although I've heard it gets overcrowded
You can avoid XC [crosscountry] by going via Hereford and Newport using LM, ATW and FGW and you'd lose about an hour of time but only CrossCountry go direct.
Alternatively if you can bear CrossCountry to Bristol you can change on FGW there
Disclaimer: I've not travelled with them for about a year (LM being my main TOC) perhaps things have changed but not according to most people's opinion on here
You can avoid XC [crosscountry] by going via Hereford and Newport using LM, ATW and FGW and you'd lose about an hour of time but only CrossCountry go direct.
Alternatively if you can bear CrossCountry to Bristol you can change on FGW there
Disclaimer: I've not travelled with them for about a year (LM being my main TOC) perhaps things have changed but not according to most people's opinion on here
LexyBoy
Established Member
The website?
CrossCountry are the only TOC who operate direct trains between Birmingham New Street (BHM) and Cardiff Central (CDF) to my knowledge. Your question about how "good" they are can't really be answered without knowing how you define "good" - in terms of journey experience, they are fairly good at quiet times - but many of their routes are chronically overcrowded. In terms of fares & ticketing, they are not well liked as they have aggressively pushed fares up and introduced time restrictions, and often don't offer worthwhile Advance fares.
Most Birmingham-Cardiff services are operated by Turbostars; alternatively you can take a Voyager to Bristol Parkway then a FGW HST to Cardiff.
You can use other TOCs to travel between Brum and Cardiff - for example LM to Hereford then ATW, but this will take longer (and is unlikely to be a nicer journey).
CrossCountry are the only TOC who operate direct trains between Birmingham New Street (BHM) and Cardiff Central (CDF) to my knowledge. Your question about how "good" they are can't really be answered without knowing how you define "good" - in terms of journey experience, they are fairly good at quiet times - but many of their routes are chronically overcrowded. In terms of fares & ticketing, they are not well liked as they have aggressively pushed fares up and introduced time restrictions, and often don't offer worthwhile Advance fares.
Most Birmingham-Cardiff services are operated by Turbostars; alternatively you can take a Voyager to Bristol Parkway then a FGW HST to Cardiff.
You can use other TOCs to travel between Brum and Cardiff - for example LM to Hereford then ATW, but this will take longer (and is unlikely to be a nicer journey).
Well, as long as XC is not worse than Chiltern and LM, I would take it. I'm bit wary of taking new TOC as bad experiences can happen.
I'm planning to travel around 10 o'clock in morning during the two week Christmas break using super off-peak ticket.
My definition of good journey experience is being able to take a seat during the off peak times and no delays.
I'm planning to travel around 10 o'clock in morning during the two week Christmas break using super off-peak ticket.
My definition of good journey experience is being able to take a seat during the off peak times and no delays.
SS4
Established Member
I prefer Chiltern and LM but then you could say circumstance has been kind to them
YorkshireBear
Established Member
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You should be fine then, and the class 170s that they use on the route are good trains.
Remember that delays are very often nothing to do with the TOC that is travelled on. If you travel on railways a lot eventually im sure youll have a bad experience on every TOC as well as really good ones on every TOC too.
LexyBoy
Established Member
I don't think there are Super Off Peak fares for this flow.
Any time during holidays is going to be very busy on XC. Whilst I've not travelled on this route recently, back in Virgin XC AND Central Trains days I regularly travelled Cheltenham to Derby. I quickly learnt that the Central Trains Cardiff-Nottingham services were much quieter and more comfortable journey. (The Virgin services were regularly not picking up due to overcrowding- the record was three in a row!). I think the Cardiff trains are a bit busier now, but still ok compared to some routes). If it's horrendous, you can always get the next train- they are quite frequent.
Any time during holidays is going to be very busy on XC. Whilst I've not travelled on this route recently, back in Virgin XC AND Central Trains days I regularly travelled Cheltenham to Derby. I quickly learnt that the Central Trains Cardiff-Nottingham services were much quieter and more comfortable journey. (The Virgin services were regularly not picking up due to overcrowding- the record was three in a row!). I think the Cardiff trains are a bit busier now, but still ok compared to some routes). If it's horrendous, you can always get the next train- they are quite frequent.
ChiefPlanner
Established Member
Having had more than a bit to do with the (present) XC service from Nottingham to Cardiff - I would judge BHM to CDF a very pleasant and comfortable journey. Sit on the left hand side from Brum to get the quality view of the Severn south of Gloucester.
The trains between Birmingham and Cardiff are not usually Voyagers. They can be very busy at peak times, but in my experience they usually empty out at Gloucester and Cheltenham.
I wouldn't describe the experience as any worse than LM or Chiltern, but such views are necessarily subjective!
I wouldn't describe the experience as any worse than LM or Chiltern, but such views are necessarily subjective!
Gareth Marston
Established Member
You can go ATW the whole way via Shrewsbury and Hereford or LM to Hereford via Worcester and then ATW.
Oh okay, there is no point of avoiding TOC if you haven't even tried them just yet. I'll stick to XC service as it's direct service.
Minilad
Established Member
As someone who drives this route I would say you won't have much of a problem as long as you keep off the peak trains. The 10.30 off Birmingham would be an ideal train IMO. Not full by any means. A leisurely trip along a nice route. And quite slack in timings so good timekeeping. Go for it
ValleyLines142
Established Member
There is one train a day from Birmingham to Cardiff; 1V65, the 1706 from Manchester (departs Birmingham at 1842, arrives at Cardiff at 2102). It is an extension of the Manchester-Bristol route, and takes about 20 minutes longer.
The main route is via Cheltenham and Gloucester, which is about 2 hours, and is operated by a 170.
Having said that, a Saturday 0945 Cardiff to Nottingham was a 220 the other week!
The main route is via Cheltenham and Gloucester, which is about 2 hours, and is operated by a 170.
Having said that, a Saturday 0945 Cardiff to Nottingham was a 220 the other week!
Bump, does anyone know the cheapest price you can get on advance return on this route for Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon? I will be with other person who has a rail card. Time wouldn't be important and I can take 2 or even more changes on this route if it means cutting £10 off the price on one ticket.
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