London to Exeter 23rd April, which service.

[yorkie]

If it's cheaper to get the 1020 from Waterloo, I'd get that, rather than the 1006 from Paddington.

FGW trains may look like 'InterCity' trains but inside they're designed purely for commuters, with very few tables. and hard seats. Do they even have 2 tables opposite each other any more? I'm not sure. By contrast, SWT trains may look like commuter trains but inside they're actually more like InterCity trains, and are more comfortable. It should be possible to reserve all 7 of you at two tables opposite each other on SWT (are you using 2 x Family Railcards to get discounts for all of you? If so it may be worth booking 1 additional CHFAM ticket, at minimal extra cost, to fully reserve 2 tables for your group).

On the other hand if FGW is cheaper it's probably worth it and at least it's quicker so you don't have to endure their uncomfortable trains for too long.

I am surprised First Class was recommended by TheWalrus because you would not get a discount in First with a Family Railcard. I'm also not convinced that FGW offer free beer either in First? Free tea, coffee and soft drinks, yes. Are FGW staff better than SWT staff? I'm not sure, both have a reputation for having some unsympathetic staff with a poor attitude toward customers, but the majority of staff will probably be fine on either operator. Also I am not convinced with TheWalrus that FGW HSTs have more legroom than SWT 159s. It's not my area and I've not measured the legroom, so maybe he's right, but it's not my recollection.

 

[dzug2]

If it's cheaper to get the 1020 from Waterloo, I'd get that, rather than the 1006 from Paddington.

FGW trains may look like 'InterCity' trains but inside they're designed purely for commuters, with very few tables. and hard seats. Do they even have 2 tables opposite each other any more? I'm not sure. By contrast, SWT trains may look like commuter trains but inside they're actually more like InterCity trains, and are more comfortable. It should be possible to reserve all 7 of you at two tables opposite each other on SWT (are you using 2 x Family Railcards to get discounts for all of you? If so it may be worth booking 1 additional CHFAM ticket, at minimal extra cost, to fully reserve 2 tables for your group).

On the other hand if FGW is cheaper it's probably worth it and at least it's quicker so you don't have to endure their uncomfortable trains for too long.

I am surprised First Class was recommended by TheWalrus because you would not get a discount in First with a Family Railcard. I'm also not convinced that FGW offer free beer either in First? Free tea, coffee and soft drinks, yes. Are FGW staff better than SWT staff? I'm not sure, both have a reputation for having some unsympathetic staff with a poor attitude toward customers, but the majority of staff will probably be fine on either operator. Also I am not convinced with TheWalrus that FGW HSTs have more legroom than SWT 159s. It's not my area and I've not measured the legroom, so maybe he's right, but it's not my recollection.

South West Trains no longer do seat reservations - you grab whatever seats you can find.

 

[Spudd]

Thanks for all the comments and pointers and suggestions. We are travelling down from Manchester to get to Exeter, youngest kid is 4 the rest are 8-13 in years.

We usually get the XC direct but on that day it's all too many changes. My only concern is if the VT is later getting into London, we have an hour in between services to get in and across from Euston.

I think our case speed is more of an advantage than cost, 2 hours compared to 3.5 hours sound better.

Just keeping a watching brief on advance tickets, but thinking should buy open tickets tickets just in case !!!

Andy

 

[bnm]

I am surprised First Class was recommended by TheWalrus because you would not get a discount in First with a Family Railcard.

No, but being as 23rd April is a Saturday then you have the option of bagging cheap Standard Advances and upgrading to Weekend First.

FGW trains may look like 'InterCity' trains but inside they're designed purely for commuters, with very few tables. and hard seats.

Also I am not convinced with TheWalrus that FGW HSTs have more legroom than SWT 159s.

They were purely redesigned to increase seating capacity, something that was needed across the board, not just for commuting. Take a summer Saturday train to the West Country and you'll now be more likely to get a seat. Yes, FGW HSTs have to perform dual roles these days, catering for commuters From Bristol to Paddington as well as Inter City business from South Wales and the South West. So the redesign had to cater for both these markets. I don't think it would've been practical to have two different fleets.

As for the hardness of the seats, that's subjective. A soft seat can be worse on a long journey if you have back problems. I find the SWT 159 seating too soft for my liking.

Legroom is more than adequate on a refurbed FGW MkIII. In fact it is more generous than you may think. Certainly better than the airline seats on a 159.

 

[dzug2]

Just keeping a watching brief on advance tickets, but thinking should buy open tickets tickets just in case !!!

Andy

Just in case what? Open tickets will be the same price on the day.

 

[TEW]

Services to Plymouth and Cornwall on FGW should have two tables opposite each other, and two sets of two opposite each other per coach. It can't be guaranteed though and it may be a set where there are only two tables per coach, and they aren't opposite each other.

 

[moonrakerz]

No, but being as 23rd April is a Saturday then you have the option of bagging cheap Standard Advances and upgrading to Weekend First.

SWT.
"Just take a seat in First Class and buy your upgrade from the Guard. (The upgrade is not available for Advance ticket holders.)"
FGW:
"However, please note that Weekend First is not available in advance to holders of advance tickets; these tickets can, however, be upgraded on board, subject to availability"

 

[Spudd]

Just in case what? Open tickets will be the same price on the day.

Apologies I meant an any train ticket so I book a ticket that means If I miss the 1006 then I can still use them on a later service. Rather than an advance that is only valid on the train I have booked.

At the moment the Super-off Peak is £103 for the lot of us, I take it that even though I may intend to get to on the 1006 then the tickets will still be valid for any train on that day, given that it is off peak all day.

Andy

 

[TEW]

Yes, that £103 ticket would be valid on any train and the price won't change at all. However if you book advance tickets and you miss your train because the virgin train was late you can see a member of staff and you'll be allowed on the next available train. You must leave the at least minimum connection time though. From Euston to Paddington this is 43 minutes. So you would be OK to book the 1006 train but you might prefer to leave more time.

 

[45104]

on fgws site, with fam/friends r/card, 2 adults + 4 kids ( the 1 under 5 goes free ) - 10:06 is £33:30 single in total, and £25 on the 10:30.( £83.20 for the super off peak single which would be valid any train )

 

[LexyBoy]

At the moment the Super-off Peak is £103 for the lot of us, I take it that even though I may intend to get to on the 1006 then the tickets will still be valid for any train on that day, given that it is off peak all day.

(my emphasis)

Super Off-Peak is a standard walk-on type ticket, thus the price will not change whether you buy it now or five minutes before the train leaves. It is valid on all trains leaving Paddington at the times specified in the restriction text for that ticket (outside these times an excess would be paid, not a new ticket).

Just to make it super clear This confusion is something TOCs and companies like TheT***nLine have caused with their vagueness about "buying online for cheap tickets".

As TEW says, if you get Advance tickets for the 1006 and your Virgin train is late, so you're likely to miss the 1006, you will be allowed to travel on a later train. However, it would probably make your life easier if you ask VT staff at Euston to make a note on your ticket that the train was late.

FGW:
"However, please note that Weekend First is not available in advance to holders of advance tickets; these tickets can, however, be upgraded on board, subject to availability"

Does 'subject to availability' mean 'at the TM's discretion'? I was travelling with some friends a while ago and none of them had trouble buying the weekend first (some of us had 1st Advance tickets, some standard Advance). We had all sat down round a couple of tables in 1st.

Usually however for any long-ish distance journeys, it's cheaper to buy a 1st Adv in the first place, as FGW's zonal Weekend First system works out quite expensive if going London-Devon/Cornwall. (From memory it's £20 or £25 for the full distance? PNZ-PAD 1st Adv start at £30...)

 

[TEW]

£20 for PAD-PNZ. Subject to availability just means if there are seats available, when there are big sporting events for example FC will often become quite full on weekends so you couldn't upgrade. A train manager is unlikely to refuse to allow you to upgrade as they would be refusing the commission they get.

 

[bnm]

on fgws site, with fam/friends r/card, 2 adults + 4 kids ( the 1 under 5 goes free ) - 10:06 is £33:30 single in total, and £25 on the 10:30.( £83.20 for the super off peak single which would be valid any train )

Confirmed. Get in there quick Spudd! £25 (or £33.30) all in (F&F) for 7 of you is a cracking bargain. I've checked out of Waterloo and you can't beat the price of the 1030 from Paddington.

Don't forget to request a table in your booking process, you should then get one table and two nearby airline seats.