London- Birmingham to arrive before 10am 2nd Aug non protected Priv

[theageofthetra]

I'm heading up there for one night for day 2 of the Edgbaston Test v India then a gig that evening.

Would Ideally like to be there b4 10am so I can drop the case off at the Raddison and then get the bus to the ground in time for 1st ball.

I guess I will have to go for any Anytime open return at £25 with priv but are there any other options?

I would prefer to use one of the Chiltern locohauled services but don't think any will get me up there in time? Are there any I could use coming back the next day?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

If you could arrive at Birmingham at 10:35, you could take the first northbound loco hauled service of the day. Plus, since that departs Marylebone at 08:37, it is also the first valid northbound train on a Super Off-Peak Return 'via High Wycombe' (there are no evening peak restrictions into Marylebone). With a Priv that ticket would cost you just £7.65, cheaper than the cheapest possible combination of Advances!

Alternatively if you must be in Birmingham earlier, there are plenty of non-loco hauled Chiltern services which can get you in for 10:00, and there are no morning peak restrictions out of Marylebone on the Off-Peak Return 'via High Wycombe' (note, there are restrictions on the 'Any Permitted' and 'WMR/LNR only' versions). Obviously this is not as nice as the loco hauled, but at £12.50 it is still really cheap (certainly compared to the public Anytime Return!).

 

[theageofthetra]

Thanks that 08.14 Chiltern will be fine. Is it possible to add plus bus to it to get to Edgbaston (as opposed to the rip off shuttle bus) thx

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Thanks that 08.14 Chiltern will be fine. Is it possible to add plus bus to it to get to Edgbaston (as opposed to the rip off shuttle bus) thx

Yes, PlusBus is available for £2.00 if bought online together with your tickets. Obviously that won't work with a Priv so you'll have to pay the full price, which is perhaps a pound more or so. Even the 'walk-up' fares on the local buses aren't too bad TBH.

 

[theageofthetra]

Yes, PlusBus is available for £2.00 if bought online together with your tickets. Obviously that won't work with a Priv so you'll have to pay the full price, which is perhaps a pound more or so. Even the 'walk-up' fares on the local buses aren't too bad TBH.

Thx are they cash only or can I use contactless?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Thx are they cash only or can I use contactless?

As far as I'm aware, most now have contactless, though you may still find you have back luck and get onto one without contactless. They don't give change though.

 

[bussnapperwm]

Thx are they cash only or can I use contactless?

National Express West Midlands are £2.40 single/£4 off peak (post 0930) day saver (valid across their network) on both cash and contactless.

Alternatively their app gives fares of £2.30/£3.90 (the latter being a all NXWM day ticket).

That is valid on service 45/47 which stops not far from the cricket ground and is quite frequent.


A Birmingham plusbus, however, would be cheaper if doing two or more journeys, and is valid on all bus operators in the West Midlands county.