Liverpool/Chester - Southampton

[rww100]

Hi all,


I'm planning a trip for two to Southampton going down on September 1st and returning on the 3rd.

Living on the Wirral we can get to both Liverpool Lime Street and Chester quite easily.


At the moment the best price I've found is the following per person:

Out
Advance single CTR - SOU
£36.00
Dep. CTR 09:55 1/9/11
(Change at Crewe and Wolverhampton)

Rtn
Advance single SOU - LIV
£35.00
Dep. SOU 12:30 3/9/11
(Via London)


I'm just wondering if it would be possible to get this any cheaper, perhaps by splitting or taking another route I haven't considered etc..

We're not that bothered by TOC or duration by allowing one day for travel each way anyway.


Many thanks!

 

[SS4]

Per Person:

LIV - EUS
£19.50 SVR. London Midland Only (book online to get discount)
Change at Stafford

VIC - SOU
14:32 - 17:01 Advance
£7.40 (book on Southern's Website)

SOU - VIC
08:13 - 10:44 Advance
£11.05 (book on Southern Website)


If you want a flexible ticket a Southern only SVR is £29.60.


Caution: This will cost you a lot of time and you will need to pay for travel across London separately.

 

[rww100]

Per Person:

LIV - EUS
£19.50 SVR. London Midland Only (book online to get discount)
Change at Stafford

VIC - SOU
14:32 - 17:01 Advance
£7.40 (book on Southern's Website)

SOU - VIC
08:13 - 10:44 Advance
£11.05 (book on Southern Website)


If you want a flexible ticket a Southern only SVR is £29.60.


Caution: This will cost you a lot of time and you will need to pay for travel across London separately.

Some interesting savings there... I realise I said that we're not really bothered by duration but with the price of travel across London to add on with this ticketing option I'm finding it hard to justify the slight price saving.

I'd also prefer being able to buy at the station if possible rather than buying online and then having to worry about collecting the tickets/having them delivered.

 

[sonic2009]

Some interesting savings there... I realise I said that we're not really bothered by duration but with the price of travel across London to add on with this ticketing option I'm finding it hard to justify the slight price saving.

I'd also prefer being able to buy at the station if possible rather than buying online and then having to worry about collecting the tickets/having them delivered.

Do Note :

With SS4's option Liverpool - London Euston. London Midland have a sale on until the 4th Sept, so if you buy at the station you will not recieve the 50% percent online discount and this ticket will instead set you back £39.00.

If you don't mind travelling from Chester On Both Outward and Return Journeys

 

[Mutant Lemming]

It's too late to buy a Southern Daysave ticket (you need ot buy those 7 days ahead) but you can get a Downlander by registering on the Southern site (up to 2 days ahead).
They cost £12.50 and allow unlimited travel on all Southern services (including the Milton Keynes/Watford/Clapham/East Croydon service thus avoiding a cross London connection by tube) for a day.

http://www.southernrailwaytickets.com/ticketing_promotion.php?iTicketPromotionId=6

You could combine that with a London Mildand off peak rail sale return from Liverpool to MK (£16) or Watford J (£18) would be a total of £41 but would avoid you having to cross London by tube (unless there are engineering works then it will be valid on the tube anyway) and give unlimited travel on Southern trains and wouldn't tie you to a specific LM service either.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd also prefer being able to buy at the station if possible rather than buying online and then having to worry about collecting the tickets/having them delivered.

Just noticed that bit... the Downlander is a ticket you print off yourself at home but you would need to collect the London Midland tickets from Lime St (could be anytime before you depart though).

 

[rww100]

It's too late to buy a Southern Daysave ticket (you need ot buy those 7 days ahead) but you can get a Downlander by registering on the Southern site (up to 2 days ahead).
They cost £12.50 and allow unlimited travel on all Southern services (including the Milton Keynes/Watford/Clapham/East Croydon service thus avoiding a cross London connection by tube) for a day.

http://www.southernrailwaytickets.com/ticketing_promotion.php?iTicketPromotionId=6

You could combine that with a London Mildand off peak rail sale return from Liverpool to MK (£16) or Watford J (£18) would be a total of £41 but would avoid you having to cross London by tube (unless there are engineering works then it will be valid on the tube anyway) and give unlimited travel on Southern trains and wouldn't tie you to a specific LM service either.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Just noticed that bit... the Downlander is a ticket you print off yourself at home but you would need to collect the London Midland tickets from Lime St (could be anytime before you depart though).

That's quite a nice option as avoiding the tube would be ideal with suitcases etc.

Would these tickets both qualify for railcard discounts?

 

[yorkie]

Would these tickets both qualify for railcard discounts?

Daysave and Downlander are very cheap products that do not qualify for any further discount.

Don't forget you'd need one for each day though.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

http://tickets.londonmidland.com/Co.../JourneyPlanning/MixingDeck&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

If that link works it should show you a fare of £10.55 return from Liverpool to Milton Keynes on London Midland only services with a 16-25 railcard

The Downlander ticket has no further discounts (it evens allows travel on buses around the Brighton, Eastbourne and Cuckmere Valley areas) so it is £12.50 for anyone over 15 and £2.50 for children 5 to 15. They are valid after 10:00 am weekdays and anytime at weekends which shouldn't be a problem with your journey. You do need to register with the Southern site first and it can be a bit temperamental at times. When you print the ticket you have to specify some form of ID to go with it - either the credit card you used to pay for it or a driving licence (it's all on the site - link below).

http://www.southernrailwaytickets.com/ticketing_promotion.php?iTicketPromotionId=6

The one thing you will need is plenty of time. Leaving on the Sept 1st from Lime Street at 10:04 and changing at Stafford, Milton Keynes Central & Clapham Junction gives an arrival time at Southampton Central of 18:03.
Further departures at 04 past from Lime St with the 15:04 your last one with a Southern connection from MK.

Returning on the 3rd - from Southampton Central at 13:33 would be you last possible service to get to MK to utilise the LM ticket... you would need to change at Havant and Clapham Junction as well as Milton Keynes Central and Crewe on the return leg limping into Lime Street at 21:50

It would require the London Midland ticket at £10.55 and a Downlander booked for the
1st and the 3rd at £12;50 x 2 giving total cost per person of £35.55. Though you would need to factor in the cost of stocking up on refreshments (no catering facilities available) for your epic journey.

 

[rww100]

http://tickets.londonmidland.com/Co.../JourneyPlanning/MixingDeck&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

If that link works it should show you a fare of £10.55 return from Liverpool to Milton Keynes on London Midland only services with a 16-25 railcard

Link doesn't work but I'll find it anyway on there, thanks

The Downlander ticket has no further discounts (it evens allows travel on buses around the Brighton, Eastbourne and Cuckmere Valley areas) so it is £12.50 for anyone over 15 and £2.50 for children 5 to 15. They are valid after 10:00 am weekdays and anytime at weekends which shouldn't be a problem with your journey. You do need to register with the Southern site first and it can be a bit temperamental at times. When you print the ticket you have to specify some form of ID to go with it - either the credit card you used to pay for it or a driving licence (it's all on the site - link below).

http://www.southernrailwaytickets.com/ticketing_promotion.php?iTicketPromotionId=6

Does each person travelling need some form of ID? or just the person who bought the tickets? or is it one ticket for two people? etc..

The one thing you will need is plenty of time. Leaving on the Sept 1st from Lime Street at 10:04 and changing at Stafford, Milton Keynes Central & Clapham Junction gives an arrival time at Southampton Central of 18:03.
Further departures at 04 past from Lime St with the 15:04 your last one with a Southern connection from MK.

Returning on the 3rd - from Southampton Central at 13:33 would be you last possible service to get to MK to utilise the LM ticket... you would need to change at Havant and Clapham Junction as well as Milton Keynes Central and Crewe on the return leg limping into Lime Street at 21:50

Due to the tight connection at Clapham Junction (6 mins) outwards with 10 mins recommended I'm assuming it would be possible to get any train to Victoria and then have a bit of a break and catch the next train, doubling back, from there?

And would the same be possible when returning by doubling back to South Croydon from East Croydon?

Never travelled with Southern before - basically do these services get so busy that it's a good idea to get on at the origin what with luggage etc.?

It would require the London Midland ticket at £10.55 and a Downlander booked for the
1st and the 3rd at £12;50 x 2 giving total cost per person of £35.55. Though you would need to factor in the cost of stocking up on refreshments (no catering facilities available) for your epic journey.

I'm sure I've seen a trolley on a LM service before :? but Southern don't offer this either?

Also, 377s have toilets don't they?

 

[yorkie]

Due to the tight connection at Clapham Junction (6 mins) outwards with 10 mins recommended I'm assuming it would be possible to get any train to Victoria and then have a bit of a break and catch the next train, doubling back, from there?

On a Downlander? Not sure I understand the question?

Providing it's after 10:00 (M-F) or any time weekends, and the service is operated by Southern (any service on this map - see key for route details) then you get unlimited travel.

All Network Downlander
From £12.50 you can explore the South Downs and the Southern network for a day! Travel to and from any location in the South Downs area by train or by bus.

The All Network Downlander e-ticket enables you and up to 4 other people to have unlimited day access to all train services provided by Southern and the participating bus services in the South Downs.

Cost of Tickets

Price per Adult: £12.50
Price per Child (5 - 15yrs): £2.50

Ticket conditions

• A maximum of 5 passengers can travel on one e-ticket, if your party has more than 5 people then further e-tickets will be required to cover additional members. Further e-tickets must have at least one adult passenger.
• Passengers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• The price of an e-ticket is calculated based on the number of passengers (£12.50 per adult and £2.50 per child).
• Each group of up to 5 passengers will receive one e-ticket. The e-ticket should be printed and carried with you on your journey.
• The passenger named on the e-ticket must produce the form of ID chosen (passport, driving licence, credit card or utility bill) whenever requested by railway staff. If you cannot produce this ID then the e-ticket is invalid and all passengers will be considered as travelling without a ticket.
• The party must travel together.
• Tickets can be purchased a minimum of two days, and a maximum of three months, in advance of the travel date.
• All Network Downlander is valid after 10:00 weekdays and at any time over the weekend and on bank holidays.

 

[wintonian]

With the Downlander only the 'lead' person needs ID if all passengers (up to 5) are traveling on the same ticket as I understand it.

Yes 377's do have toilets but the 313's do not which I believe run from Milton Keynes to Clapham and East Croydon.

Most southern trains (most trains in the NSE area in fact) leaving London during the evening peak are likely to be standing room only until at least Croydon in my experience. The likes of Southern and SWT and possibly London Midland do not have large luggage racks (they do have overhead ones though) as this means less space for seats and standing passengers.

 

[Lrd]

Yes 377's do have toilets but the 313's do not which I believe run from Milton Keynes to Clapham and East Croydon

It will be a 377 from MK. The 313's stick to West Coastway services, mainly to Portsmouth. (I think only one has made it to Southampton.)

 

[wintonian]

It will be a 377 from MK. The 313's stick to West Coastway services, mainly to Portsmouth. (I think only one has made it to Southampton.)

A bit far to go with out a toilet on board!

 

[Mutant Lemming]

It may take a little longer but to avoid any confusion and to make changing easier it may be better for you to change at East Croydon rather than Clapham Junction on the outward journey. At least from East Croydon the only trains to go to Southampton are the Southern services.

 

[class377man]

It may take a little longer but to avoid any confusion and to make changing easier it may be better for you to change at East Croydon rather than Clapham Junction on the outward journey. At least from East Croydon the only trains to go to Southampton are the Southern services.

No need, just make sure you go from Platform 13 at Clapham and get on a green train and not a blue or white one from Platform 9. You'll need to go over a bridge or through a subway at either station too.

 

[rww100]

On a Downlander? Not sure I understand the question?

Providing it's after 10:00 (M-F) or any time weekends, and the service is operated by Southern (any service on this map - see key for route details) then you get unlimited travel.

Don't worry, you answered my question anyway, thanks.

It may take a little longer but to avoid any confusion and to make changing easier it may be better for you to change at East Croydon rather than Clapham Junction on the outward journey. At least from East Croydon the only trains to go to Southampton are the Southern services.

No need, just make sure you go from Platform 13 at Clapham and get on a green train and not a blue or white one from Platform 9. You'll need to go over a bridge or through a subway at either station too.

I've decided we'll have a break at London Victoria so I'm guessing it will be pretty obvious from there. I can tell the difference between Southern and SWT anyway.

Is the Southampton unit usually at the front or the rear?

-------------------------

Oh, and the tickets have now been bought.

Does the London Midland ticket have any restrictions?

 

[bb21]

The Southampton unit tends to be at the provincial (non-London) end.

 

[Lrd]

No need, just make sure you go from Platform 13 at Clapham and get on a green train and not a blue or white one from Platform 9. You'll need to go over a bridge or through a subway at either station too.

I would also change at East Croydon as the amount of people that get off at Clapham Junction is astonishing, and all trying to get up the small set of stairs on the last platform (forget the number) fighting the people trying to get to the train.

 

[wintonian]

I would also change at East Croydon as the amount of people that get off at Clapham Junction is astonishing, and all trying to get up the small set of stairs on the last platform (forget the number) fighting the people trying to get to the train.

Although they do have some lifts at Clapham now, if with luggage find anywhere else to change but Clapham, its Britains busiest rail station for a reason!

 

[Lrd]

Although they do have some lifts at Clapham now, if with luggage find anywhere else to change but Clapham, its Britains busiest rail station for a reason!

I meant on that particular service on that particular platform, I know it's busy anyway!

 

[class377man]

The crawl between Clapham and Croydon on the slow lines is tortuous though. I had to do it once when an advance ticket from Milton Keynes decided to make me change at Croydon for some reason.

OP has decided to go into Victoria first anyway, which is probably the best idea as you aren't likely to be getting a seat at Clapham or Croydon until Gatwick at the absolute earliest.

 

[rww100]

The Southampton unit tends to be at the provincial (non-London) end.

Thanks

OP has decided to go into Victoria first anyway, which is probably the best idea as you aren't likely to be getting a seat at Clapham or Croydon until Gatwick at the absolute earliest.

I assume its best to head to the platform as soon as it comes up on the screen then, unless it usually departs from the same platform each time, knowledge of which could be useful in advance...

Also, 'bump' for the restrictions of the London Midland ticket?

 

[class377man]

I can say with about 99% certainty that it will depart from one of Platforms 15-19 at Victoria.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

...the reason I mentioned it -

http://www.londonmidland.com/news/latest-news/withdrawal-of-on-train-catering-from-27-august-2011/

If you don't want to cart stuff round and get something near to Lime Street I found the Sainsburys opposite Central Station or the Tesco on London Road (before you get to TJ's) about the more reasonable places to get supplies.

 

[tony_mac]

Also, 'bump' for the restrictions of the London Midland ticket?

You're getting the half-price London Midland off-peak return?

Valid on any London Midland service scheduled to arrive London terminals at or after 1000.
Not valid for travel on northbound London Midland services timed to depart any station before 0845.

 

[rww100]

The outward journey worked out very well... thank you very much for all the help!

 

[class377man]

Good news What route did you take in the end?

 

[rww100]

Liverpool Lime Street - Stafford - Milton Keynes Central - Clapham Junction - London Victoria - Southampton Central

We could have made the connection at Clapham Junction as the Southampton train was running a minute late, but it did look quite busy. Strangely, the following one which we took wasn't too bad from Victoria - Clapham Junction.

The journey was good overall with the only main negative being the A/C on the 377 to Southampton which felt like it had been set to a rather chilly 8 degrees or something. It would have also been nice to have a 350/1 on the Stafford - Milton Keynes leg, but can't really complain. The 3+2 seating and frequent stops did seem to be taking its toll on a family heading to London though who, judging by a football shirt, had been enduring it all the way from Stoke.

Coming back today wasn't too bad either, but there were a few people standing from Gatwick Airport onwards. Walking down the train to find the toilet I did see quite a lot of empty seats towards the front. Alerting them of this on my way back I was simply greeted by blank stares.

We changed at East Croydon and had about 30 mins there. I was quite impressed with how busy it was. The weather was quite nice too compared to the rain we were greeted with back in the North West.

Once again, thanks everyone for the ticketing help

 

[wintonian]

Liverpool Lime Street - Stafford - Milton Keynes Central - Clapham Junction - London Victoria - Southampton Central

We could have made the connection at Clapham Junction as the Southampton train was running a minute late, but it did look quite busy. Strangely, the following one which we took wasn't too bad from Victoria - Clapham Junction.

The journey was good overall with the only main negative being the A/C on the 377 to Southampton which felt like it had been set to a rather chilly 8 degrees or something. It would have also been nice to have a 350/1 on the Stafford - Milton Keynes leg, but can't really complain. The 3+2 seating and frequent stops did seem to be taking its toll on a family heading to London though who, judging by a football shirt, had been enduring it all the way from Stoke.

Coming back today wasn't too bad either, but there were a few people standing from Gatwick Airport onwards. Walking down the train to find the toilet I did see quite a lot of empty seats towards the front. Alerting them of this on my way back I was simply greeted by blank stares.

We changed at East Croydon and had about 30 mins there. I was quite impressed with how busy it was. The weather was quite nice too compared to the rain we were greeted with back in the North West.

Once again, thanks everyone for the ticketing help

Glad it went ok.

With those 3+2 seats and the time it takes from Southampton to London and Milton Keynes, it takes its toll on me - thankfully I don't go this way very often.