Cambridge to Harwich

[paddington]

There is a direct train once a day from Cambridge to Harwich Intl, but otherwise you have to change twice to travel on the same route. It seems that because you must take the London-Norwich train between Ipswich and Manningtree, Greater Anglia offers Advances for the entire journey, which it doesn't offer on the direct service.

However, for my intended dates advances are also being offered at the same price for travel via London Liv St, which obviously have a lot longer journey time.

Is such a ticket definitely valid for travel via Liv St? Also, does anyone know if it's the Cambridge-London train or London-Harwich train which is reservable or would it be both? I.e. could I take a slightly earlier train than the website says to London, as long as I catch the booked train to Harwich, or is it the other way round?

 

[transportphoto]

It'd probably be a counted place reservation on the West Anglia service between Cambridge and Liverpool Street. No actual seat reservation. If you can book it, it's valid.

TP

 

[TheEdge]

GA only tend to offer full booked advances on the Norwich - London hauled sets. Booked train no seats are offered on the WAML and on GEML unit services. You can't get an advance on the direct one as its a rural service where no advances are offered.

Obviously an advance sold for travel via London will be valid via London (!). Its most likely the West Anglia service that will be reserved, not entirely sure about the Harwich portion.