Exeter: St David's/Central

[FrozenPoints]

For reasons I cannot explain, I have a lot of hanging around overnight in Exeter St Davids.

But which is better to hang around overnight for about 6 hours. St Davids or Central.

I know St Davids is a big hub, but which is better?

 

[TEW]

St Davids has some waiting rooms which may be open. Central will have absolutely nothing open. If you aren't there on a Saturday you could always take the sleeper up to Taunton and then the sleeper coming the other way back to St Davids. That would use up an hour or two.

 

[FrozenPoints]

On station maps it doesn't show any waiting rooms at St Davids despite the large station usage. But if it does, then I am happy. I will be warm BUT...

Are station staff accepting to passengers hanging around the station overnight?

 

[asylumxl]

On station maps it doesn't show any waiting rooms at St Davids despite the large station usage. But if it does, then I am happy. I will be warm BUT...

Are station staff accepting to passengers hanging around the station overnight?

Since people wait around for the sleeper, I'd hope so.

 

[Flying Snail]

St Davids has some waiting rooms which may be open. Central will have absolutely nothing open. If you aren't there on a Saturday you could always take the sleeper up to Taunton and then the sleeper coming the other way back to St Davids. That would use up an hour or two.

Could also stay on it to Plymouth and get the first XC or FGW back, be in St Davids at 06.20/06.30

 

[TEW]

On station maps it doesn't show any waiting rooms at St Davids despite the large station usage. But if it does, then I am happy. I will be warm BUT...

Are station staff accepting to passengers hanging around the station overnight?

There's waiting rooms on all platforms I believe. Definitely on Platform 3/4 though. They'll definitely be open until the sleeper arrives but I wouldn't be sure after that. You'd be better off catching the sleeper to Taunton and back to guarantee that you'll stay warm.

 

[FrozenPoints]

Never done a sleeper before. But I get in at around 8pm to Exeter SD.

But to Taunton, then I need to get back to Exeter SD for approx 5am.

And the cost? FGW website was no help

 

[dk1]

All seems a very unusual time to board/alight night trains. I would just check into the Thistle Hotel opposite Central .

http://thistle-exeter.hotel-rn.com/?lbl=ggl

 

[MadCommuter]

I know St Davids is a big hub, but which is better?

In the words of Harry Hill, 'Fight!'

 

[embers25]

Those waiting for the sleeper usually use the management waiting area room next to the cafe on Platform 1 which is normally kept open. The rest of the waiting areas are closed. Central is closed completely after the last train.

 

[Hydro]

All seems a very unusual time to board/alight night trains. I would just check into the Thistle Hotel opposite Central .

http://thistle-exeter.hotel-rn.com/?lbl=ggl

I wouldn't. Though my views of it have been coloured by having the smallest of small single rooms and being present on the evening of a large corporate Xmas do. "What's that, you want dinner in the restaurant? Sorry, been booked out. A drink in the bar? That's for the disco. Take a table in the small bar with everyone else that's not part of the party and fight for a meal and beer. Internet in the rooms? Yes sir. £10."

 

[bnm]

Never done a sleeper before. But I get in at around 8pm to Exeter SD.

But to Taunton, then I need to get back to Exeter SD for approx 5am.

And the cost? FGW website was no help

The cost would be an Off Peak Return (£14.20) or possibly an Off Peak Day Return (£10.00). Not sure that the Day Return would be valid as it 'crosses' the 0200 cut off point.

You would have an hour to kill at Taunton and would arrive back at Exeter SD at 0306.

 

[Zoe]

Don't try doing this on Sunday into Monday as the sleeper doesn't stop at Taunton.

 

[bnm]

...Or Saturday into Sunday as there is no Sleeper at all!!!

 

[Flying Snail]

I wouldn't. Though my views of it have been coloured by having the smallest of small single rooms and being present on the evening of a large corporate Xmas do. "What's that, you want dinner in the restaurant? Sorry, been booked out. A drink in the bar? That's for the disco. Take a table in the small bar with everyone else that's not part of the party and fight for a meal and beer. Internet in the rooms? Yes sir. £10."

Can't reccommend a specific hotel but from 8pm-5am would definitely be looking to stay in one rather than hang around a station for 9 hours.

I am sure you can find somewhere reasonable and cheap for a night.

 

[Trainbuff]

One thing I would not advise is continuing on to Plymouth. I am based ther and the Station is closed from after the last train till around 4am

I also believe an off-peak ticket is not valid. I know the return used to have no restrictions, but checking on Avantix it lists Outward AND return journeys must NOT start before 08.33 for Off Peak Returns and after 09.15 for Day Returns though I believe a Day return would be invalid as after 2am.

An Anytime Return though would be Valid, though i think you would have to get 2 Singles. Cheapday 'up' and Anytime 'down'

I still think that would be cheaper than a hotel room though

 

[FrozenPoints]

What I have decided to do is hang around inside the station in the lounge wherever it is, but obviously I will be there until 5am-ish, I have bought a return ticket for that following day, from St Davids to Central return £1.10 so I can get through the barriers.

 

[455driver]

You may find that the staff will ask you to leave the station when the sleeper goes (about 0100 normally) as there is no legitimate reason for you to be on the station as there are no more departures.

The first departure is the down sleeper at about 0400.

If they left the station open all night it would be full of vagrants.

 

[starrymarkb]

Great Western Hotel or there is a New Premier Inn, both less then a minute from the station...

 

[BigVince76]

Another vote for the Great Western Hotel, It is just across the car park outside St Davids and single rooms are £49. The new Premier Inn is not open yet.

Lurking around the station will be both boring and uncomfortable. If money is tight there is the Globe backpackers youth hostel which is an easy 20 miniute walk from the station.

 

[FrozenPoints]

Great Western Hotel or there is a New Premier Inn, both less then a minute from the station...

Another vote for the Great Western Hotel, It is just across the car park outside St Davids and single rooms are £49. The new Premier Inn is not open yet.

Lurking around the station will be both boring and uncomfortable. If money is tight there is the Globe backpackers youth hostel which is an easy 20 miniute walk from the station.

I've actually enquired to them, but I've actually asked if it can be cheaper seen as I will be in and out in 7 hours, and require no breakfast.

Money isn't a driver, I always try and maximise for less, like a tight, stingey ******

 

[Matt Taylor]

I would be very surprised if the station staff did not ask you to leave the premises once the sleeper has gone, if somewhere like Carlisle has started to get a bit difficult I cannot see Exeter being welcoming.