Manchester-Penzance

[Keele13]

Hello all,

I'd appreciate a little help with a journey for a friend.

She would like to travel from Manchester Piccadilly to Penzance on May 20th, returning a week later on May 27th. Ideally she'd like to set off fairly early, but outside the main rush hour. The fewer changes the better, but it seems that at least one change on the way down is inevitable.

An off-peak return is about £151, but I am sure there is some ticket splitting that could make it cheaper - but the tricks I usually use to get to Exeter on the cheap aren't working to get to Penzance.

The cheapest I can find is £132 (off peak return MAN-EXD, then two singles from EXD-PNZ and back). Can anyone better that?

Any help much appreciated.

 

[bb21]

Cheapest deals on XC would have gone by now, however I'm pretty sure that £6 Advance singles between Exeter and Penzance should be in plentiful supply.

 

[SickyNicky]

The cheapest I can find is £132 (off peak return MAN-EXD, then two singles from EXD-PNZ and back). Can anyone better that?

Any help much appreciated.

If you require a walk-up ticket, you can do it for £120.10 using this combination:

Off Peak Return: MANCHESTER PIC to Stoke On Trent @ £14.00 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (2V)
Off Peak Return: Stoke On Trent to Birmingham Group @ £15.00 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (2V)
Off Peak Return: Birmingham Group to Cheltenham Spa @ £21.10 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (2V)
Off Peak Return: Cheltenham Spa to PENZANCE @ £70.00 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (WG)

2V is an after 9.30am restriction. WG is an after 8.33am restriction.

 

[Johnny Lewis]

Via London as follows:

£30.50 Single MAN-EUS, on 11.15 or later
£44.50 Single PAD-PNZ, on either 17.03 or 18.03 from PAD

Return

£34.50 Single PNZ-PAD on 05.41 from PNZ
£30.50 Single EUS-MAN on 13.00 from EUS

These trains give plenty of time for getting from EUS to PAD and v.v. although it is a very early start from PNZ on the way back. Later trains from PNZ have higher fares and don't arrive into London in time to take advantage of the cheapest fares on Virgin before 13.00.

This comes out at about £140, but nicer trains than travelling on XC Voyagers for most of the journey!

For First Class, using the same trains as above:
the MAN-EUS legs are £46 both ways.
The PAD-PNZ legs are £74 both ways.
So £240 return.
This compares well with the £341.10 that XC charges for a First Class off-peak return, and she will receive all the associated complimentaries on both VT and GW, including alcohol.

 

[Keele13]

Thanks everyone. I'll find out if going via London is an option - I don't know what she'll have in the way of luggage, etc.

 

[sonic2009]

there could be a cheaper way. i will have a look for you.

May we ask how old your friend is?

Maybe eligible for Railcards

 

[YorkshireRider]

One option for coming back is:

0828 Penzance-Plymouth £6.00 STD ADV

1025 Plymouth-Leeds £52-50 STD ADV (the same train as 0828 ex Penz)

1640 Leeds-Man Pic £7-00 STD ADV

That journey would require just one change for your friend, but im sure someone on here will come up with something better

Your friend could get off at Sheffield to save time if they are cheap trains available from there instead, travelling short on advance tickets is not allowed i dont think but nobody would know. For some reason the same train to Sheffield instead of Leeds is twice the price, also starting the journey at Penzance makes it a rip off, i really dont get the advance fares on XC, they are crazy!

 

[sonic2009]

there could be a cheaper way. i will have a look for you.

May we ask how old your friend is?

Maybe eligible for Railcards

Advance Fare Splitting is going to cost at least £116, so walk-up may be best.

Here's an option for you as well to consider.. with the train taking 7hr 24mins :

Megabus 10hr 55mins.

Departs 14:45 Manchester, Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
Arrives 01:40 Penzance, Bus Station (21st May)
10hrs 55mins
1 seat = £18.00, 20th May

i can see by getting the whole journey done for £67.00 including the megabus option..

Return 27th May..

0940 Penzance to Exeter St David's 1246 XC Advance Single £8.00
1333 Exeter St Davids to Newport (Wales) 1558 FGW Advance Single £9.00

if the train is on time...

1604 Newport (Wales) to Manchester Piccadilly 1915 ATW Advance Single £33.00
or 1704 to Manchester Piccadilly 2015 ATW Advance Single £33.00

im just giving you an option.. but that megabus price is really cheap!!!!!

Another Option combining Public Transport on the Outward 20th May

Manchester Coach Station 0945 - Bristol Bus Station 1445 National Express Single £12.50 (FunFare)
1600 Bristol Bus Station - Plymouth Bus Station 1830 National Express Single £10.50 (FunFare)
1845 Plymouth Bus Station - Penzance 2150 National Express Single £8.00 (FunFare)

the 15min connection at plymouth is valid, but by looks of it cheaper to split on the coach otherwise National Express want £33 for the through journey on one ticket, I understand this a Rail Site, but that option of coaches is available ")

 

[OwlMan]

If you require a walk-up ticket, you can do it for £120.10 using this combination:

Off Peak Return: MANCHESTER PIC to Stoke On Trent @ £14.00 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (2V)
Off Peak Return: Stoke On Trent to Birmingham Group @ £15.00 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (2V)
Off Peak Return: Birmingham Group to Cheltenham Spa @ £21.10 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (2V)
Off Peak Return: Cheltenham Spa to PENZANCE @ £70.00 (route ANY PERMITTED ) (WG)

2V is an after 9.30am restriction. WG is an after 8.33am restriction.

But a 3in 7 Feedom of the SW is £70. that would give a free days travel (and is valid for the out & return Cheltenham - Penzance journeys.


Or for £95 a 8 in 15 FOSW which would give free rail travel for the week.

 

[bb21]

But a 3in 7 Feedom of the SW is £70. that would give a free days travel (and is valid for the out & return Cheltenham - Penzance journeys.

Won't qualify as 20th to 27th is a span of 8 days.
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Return 27th May..

0940 Penzance to Exeter St David's 1246 XC Advance Single £8.00
1333 Exeter St Davids to Newport (Wales) 1558 FGW Advance Single £9.00

Earlier FGW Advances available from £6. Have a cuppa in Exeter. Really nice city to hang around and chill.

if the train is on time...

1604 Newport (Wales) to Manchester Piccadilly 1915 ATW Advance Single £33.00

Doable, but make sure that you arm yourself with "Yorkie's Famous Quotes".

(I can't find the link a the mo, but I'm sure someone'll be along shortly.)

Manchester Coach Station 0945 - Bristol Bus Station 1445 National Express Single £12.50 (FunFare)
1600 Bristol Bus Station - Plymouth Bus Station 1830 National Express Single £10.50 (FunFare)
1845 Plymouth Bus Station - Penzance 2150 National Express Single £8.00 (FunFare)

Involves a transfer to the train station, but the 2027 departure from Plymouth with FGW is only £3 on Advance.