Hedge End to Shanklin

[richie11]

I am looking for a return from hedge end to Shanklin via pompey Harbour and ryde going out his Saturday morning and returning Sunday after lunch with my wife. I am staggered that South western railway want £143 return for this journey of around 25 miles as the crow flies. Is there a cheaper way? Any help much appreciated

 

[JonathanH]

Expensive business travelling on the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Wightlink boat.

Even from Portsmouth Harbour to Shanklin, a period return is £50.

Wightlink charge £19.50 each way.

It all adds up when the different legs are combined for a period trip.

 

[CyrusWuff]

The fare is made up of two parts: The rail fare to Portsmouth Harbour plus an add-on for the ferry (or Hovercraft) and Island Line journey.

As Hedge End to Portsmouth Harbour is only 17.75 miles, there's no period return for that leg. As such, the price for that leg is just double the Single fare of £11.10 (i.e. £22.20) without taking the possibility of using an Evening or Sunday Out ticket. Deducting that from the through fare reveals the add-on to be £50.40.

If you buy the tickets separately, however, Hedge End - Portsmouth Harbour would be either £14.60, £18.40 or £22.20 (depending on whether you were travelling at a time the Evening/Sunday Out tickets were valid or not), a Return on the ferry would be £39.00, and Ryde Pier Head - Shanklin would be £9.40, £10.40 or £11.40 (again depending on whether you were travelling at a time the Evening/Sunday Out tickets were valid or not.) So you'd be looking at a total of £63.00, £67.80 or £72.60.

The best way to reduce the price would be to buy a Two Together Railcard. That would cost £30, but brings the through fare down to £48.60 per person, so £97.20 for the two of you, making a total of £127.20 including the cost of the Railcard. As a result, it's paid for itself with just that one trip!

 

[richie11]

Thank you most helpful. I ll buy a railcard. Most of my travel is within the network railcard area so would I be better getting a network rather that 2 together? As I understand it I can use network on my own and with someone else. If I have 2 together I won't have any benefits on journeys I make on my own. Sorry if dumb question but I don't use train much

 

[AM9]

Thank you most helpful. I ll buy a railcard. Most of my travel is within the network railcard area so would I be better getting a network rather that 2 together? As I understand it I can use network on my own and with someone else. If I have 2 together I won't have any benefits on journeys I make on my own. Sorry if dumb question but I don't use train much

That is true, but a Network card is not valid for discounting travel before 10:00 except at weekends and on bank holidays. There is also the limitation that the discounted fare will not be less than £13.00.

 

[JonathanH]

There is also the limitation that the discounted fare will not be less than £13.00.

Although that limitation does not apply at weekends.

 

[michael8]

Had a quick look on SWR website and if you leave at 09:37 on Saturday and return journey from Shanklin leaving 15:14 (or anytime after lunch) on Sunday, the total price is £71.80, and that's without any discounts ? So if you get a network railcard, cost £30 but valid for you and up to 3 companions [???] it will discount it to an even lower price (£47??) I believe no time restrictions on weekends with network railcard...