Forcing search engines to give a longer time to transfer between trains

[dyst]

I'm a wheelchair user, and want to do Oxford to Bristol Parkway via Didcot Parkway in October half-term.

I've tried the GWR ticket search, and some of the results give only 5-6 minutes to get between platforms, which may not be enough. Is there any way I can force the search engine to give a longer transfer? (so the connection time is 33 mins (approx), rather than 5 mins).

I also seem to get some services via Reading, even if I specify via Didcot Parkway, does anyone know why?

 

[ainsworth74]

If you use trainsplit.com and click on 'Advanced Options' one of those allows you to specify extra change time. That should do the trick I think! You could also put in an avoid point of Reading to make it avoid sending you there at all.

 

[yorkie]

Agreed. You can choose "change at:" and type Didcot Parkway, then add the required additional interchange time as appropriate.

It is unlikely to be necessary in this case, but you can additionally choose to avoid Reading too.

If there is no cheaper combination identified for the journey than a though fare, there is no fee charged to book with this website.

If a cheaper combination of fares is found, then any fees will be a percentage of any saving (no saving = no fee!)

 

[AY1975]

It seems a pity that most train operators' websites don't offer the option to request a longer interchange time. However, the National Rail site (www.nationalrail.co.uk) does offer this option if you click on "More options, railcards & passengers". You can ask to allow half an hour, one hour, one hour 30 minutes or two hours extra.

On the Great Western site (www.gwr.com) you can click on "Accessible booking tool" and choose whether you want standard or extended station interchange times, but you can't specify how long an interchange time you want and it only seems to work for journeys partly or wholly by GWR trains. For example, I tried looking up London Paddington to Tenby using that tool and it only gave a 10-minute connection at Swansea, which probably wouldn't be enough for some disabled people.

Otherwise, trainsplit is probably your best bet. I know this is off-topic, but I notice that trainsplit often quotes fares ending in a number other than a 5 or a 0, which AFAIK no other booking sites do.

 

[yorkie]

...I notice that trainsplit often quotes fares ending in a number other than a 5 or a 0, which AFAIK no other booking sites do.

That's because, if there is a saving over a through fare, Trainsplit charges a share of the saving as a fee. This is included in the price shown.

If there is no saving then there is no fee, in which case the number will end in a 5 or a 0.