Chippenham to Lake

[tgrb]

Hi Guys,

Sanity check please, I need to go to Lake on the IoW (probably on Wednesday) so I was exploring ticketing options.... I was considering getting the Hovercraft this time instead of the Catamaran for a change (which isn't very quick compared to the Thames Clippers lol) anyway the pre-amble is slightly besides the point!

I've tried the GWR, SWR and the trainline websites and I only seem to be able to book a through ticket as far as the Ferry will take me - either Ryde Pierhead or Ryde Hoverport, non of the search engines will give me a ticket all the way to Lake, or Sandown or Shankin or any other stations for that matter... I'm sure I've down this before, am I be dozy?

GWR twitter said to phone their ticket sales line.... which I suppose I could of done instead of typing this!

 

[Starmill]

SWR recently made some changes to fares to the Isle of Wight, because of what they charicterised as 'confusion' about which cross-solent operator tickets were valid on. This means that for some (all?) places, two tickets must be purchased. One to Portsmouth Stations and then another one which I can't find.

Edit: I think maybe what they want you to do now is buy a ticket from Chippenham to Ryde Hoverport, and Ryde Esplanade to Lake.

 

[Starmill]

A ticket from Chippenham to Ryde Hoverport is available at £65.50 Off Peak Return route Salisbury from a trainline based site, e.g. buytickets.northernrailway.co.uk

Singles each way between Ryde Esplanade and Lake add £6.60. Is it just me or does £72.10 not seem like rather a lot for that journey? And more than the old fare would have been??

 

[tgrb]

I think maybe what they want you to do now is buy a ticket from Chippenham to Ryde Hoverport, and Ryde Esplanade to Lake.

Yes indeed it would seem that way..... not a massive pain but a small annoyance! I'm not sure why it's difficult to work out which cross-solent operator you were supposed to be using!

 

[James Wake]

I’ve just looked at fares from Three Bridges to Ryde Esplanade, with a Gold Card, £35.50 any permitted and £36.75 with Wightlink, not sure what £35.50 fare is there for. I think I can get hover tickets cheaper but prefer the smooth catamaran crossing and ease of change at both ends.

 

[tgrb]

Yes it is very easy with wightlink, getting the hovercraft looks a faf this side, but easy once you get there?

With your any permitted would that not include wightlink?

Talking of gold cards that reminds me to open a new thread!

 

[DelW]

I was concerned by this as I regularly travel to IoW on through tickets. I've just tried for 5th May (my next planned visit) and both NR and SWR are showing me day returns through to Smallbrook Junction via Wightlink.

The hovercraft is a bit more awkward at the Portsmouth end, but a dedicated bus runs from just round the corner from Portsmouth and Southsea station to the hoverport. It's included in through tickets and I've found it reliable.

I usually buy my ticket from my local station, and the default is usually Wightlink. Some ticket clerks ask which crossing you want, but I'd always specify if I want the hovercraft.

 

[tgrb]

Interesting! I’m just trying to book now... I can still only get as far a Ryde espagnade - this is on gwr app - I’ll try swr in a minute, im probably going to go via the hover though as the times/price are advantageous £53.10 return from Chippenham leaving st 6:27

 

[DelW]

I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but you can make the NR journey planner give you the hovercraft option by routing via Southsea Hoverport (SHV) or Ryde Hoverport (XRD). NR is offering me a through journey to Lake via the hoverbus and hovercraft for later today.

Disappointingly the Hoverbus runs on ordinary wheels