Manchester to Merthyr Tydfill

[Chouette]

I'm going to be travelling between Manchester Piccadilly and Merthyr Tydfill quite a few times in the next few months.

I would be interested in any ticket combinations that would lower the price, and which wouldn't be likely to cause me hassle.

I have a GMPTE disabled bus pass that allows free train travel within the Greater Manchester area, but no disabled railcard as I forgot to get off my bum and apply for it :x

All journeys will be offpeak, on weekdays, and I would prefer flexible tickets as I have a terrible sense of time.

Thanks for any help

 

[bb21]

Will your trips be same-day returns or period returns?

 

[maniacmartin]

Will you be returning by train on the same day?
Assuming you are eligible for a disabled railcard, would you apply for one if it saved you money?

Edit: bb21 beat me to it

 

[Chouette]

Will you be returning by train on the same day?
Assuming you are eligible for a disabled railcard, would you apply for one if it saved you money?

Edit: bb21 beat me to it

Sorry - not same day, and yes I am still going to be applying for a railcard but it will take a while as my DLA award letter is not dated within the last twelve months, so I need to source one from the Department of Doesn't-Work and Pensions. Unless the letter from my DLA tribunal might suffice?

My 16-25 railcard expires next week and cannot be renewed unless I suddenly discover the fountain of youth (in which case, travelling to Merthyr would be the last thing on my mind )

 

[kieron]

Sorry - not same day, and yes I am still going to be applying for a railcard but it will take a while as my DLA award letter is not dated within the last twelve months, so I need to source one from the Department of Doesn't-Work and Pensions. Unless the letter from my DLA tribunal might suffice?

My 16-25 railcard expires next week and cannot be renewed unless I suddenly discover the fountain of youth (in which case, travelling to Merthyr would be the last thing on my mind )

If you intend to use the Manchester-Cardiff train, you could save a bit of money by splitting.
According to trainscanbecheaper, you would save a bit of money by splitting if you use the hourly Manchester-Cardiff trains.

Your bus pass covers Manchester-Stockport.
A Stockport-Shrewsbury "not Wolverhampton" off-peak return costs £23.10.
A Shrewsbury-Cwmbran off-peak return costs £30.20.
There are no period returns between Cwmbran and Merthyr Tydfil, but anytime day singles cost £10.10 each.

This give a total of £73.50, against £75.10 for Stockport-Merthyr Tydfil or £76.80 from Manchester.

You could save an extra £5.70 by using the Heart of Wales line, but it's a lot slower.

 

[Chouette]

If you intend to use the Manchester-Cardiff train, you could save a bit of money by splitting.
According to trainscanbecheaper, you would save a bit of money by splitting if you use the hourly Manchester-Cardiff trains.

Your bus pass covers Manchester-Stockport.
A Stockport-Shrewsbury "not Wolverhampton" off-peak return costs £23.10.
A Shrewsbury-Cwmbran off-peak return costs £30.20.
There are no period returns between Cwmbran and Merthyr Tydfil, but anytime day singles cost £10.10 each.

This give a total of £73.50, against £75.10 for Stockport-Merthyr Tydfil or £76.80 from Manchester.

You could save an extra £5.70 by using the Heart of Wales line, but it's a lot slower.

I'm a bit late replying, but thank you

PS: I have my railcard now!