Milton Keynes - Northallerton

[DarloRich]

I have to buy a short notice return ticket form Milton Keynes or Bletchley to Northallerton going out this Friday after 11:15 and returning on Sunday at about 14:00. My car has gone U/S at the worst possible moment!

There will be me and one child with an F&F railcard.

Can anyone offer me any advice? I would LIKE to go via London mainly as it is more exciting for the little one but will consider another route. I will assume via London will mean the Grand Central or an East Coast Super Off peak outbound

I realise it is very short notice so I will get stung but have no choice. Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Travelling via Manchester (and splitting there) should be cheaper, quicker and easier.

From Milton Keynes to Manchester Piccadilly the fare (off peak return, one adult, one child, with railcard discount) would be £52.95 and from Manchester Piccadilly to Northallerton an additional £40.05, total £93.00). Through ticketing would be slightly more expensive at £98.60 (again one adult, one child, with railcard).

The via London cost would £110.50 for travel via London Euston/London King's Cross.

Can anyone do better?

 

[PermitToTravel]

Not via London for £66.85 with journey times each way exceeding 5 hours
Trains (Friday)
LM Milton Keynes Central (1119) to Stoke-on-Trent (1300)
VT Stoke-on-Trent (1325) to Manchester Piccadilly (1407)
TP Manchester Piccadilly (1411) to York (1535) unofficial connection that would not make your journey faster, but would give you a whole hour in York rather than 40 minutes, should that be desired
TP Manchester Piccadilly (1427) to York (1552) official connection
EC Manchester Piccadilly (1635) to Northallerton (1654)

Trains (Sunday)
TP Northallerton (1449) to Manchester Piccadilly (1634)
VT Manchester Piccadilly (1715) to Stoke-on-Trent (1749)
LM Stoke-on-Trent (1759) to Milton Keynes Central (2006)

Tickets
Milton Keynes Central to Stoke-on-Trent OPR rte. "LDN MIDLAND ONLY" £18.70
Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester Stations SVR rte. "VIRGIN TRNSONLY" £9.55
Manchester Stations to Leeds SVR rte. "ANY PERMITTED" £17.80
Leeds to Northallerton SVR rte. "ANY PERMITTED" £20.80

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks - i will have a look at this tonight. I am anxious to reduce the number of changes and journey time as much as i can

 

[PermitToTravel]

You may wish to pay £91.55 to do it in four hours each way, with either one or two changes:
Trains (Friday)
VT MKC 1150 - MAN 1328
TP MAN 1357 - NTR 1558

Trains (Sunday)
EC NTR 1500 - YRK 1519
TP YRK 1545 - MAN 1705
VT MAN 1715 - MKC 1849

Tickets
Milton Keynes Central to Manchester Stations SVR rte. "ANY PERMITTED" £52.95
Manchester Stations to Leeds SVR rte. "ANY PERMITTED" £17.80
Leeds to Northallerton SVR rte. "ANY PERMITTED" £20.80
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
(I've made a minor edit to the tickets in my first post saving £2.55)

 

[DarloRich]

thanks for all of the advice - sadly, i think i will have to admit defeat and hire a car from Enterprise. I can get a Chevy Spark for £35 or a Lacetti for £41 for the whole weekend returning the car on Monday morning!

 

[andythebrave]

Don't forget petrol at around £60!

 

[DarloRich]

Don't forget petrol at around £60!

I am going to the north east - I will fill up in Boro!

Seriously – I have factored that in but am offsetting some of that with the extra mobility when I get there as it gives us 2 days of freedom rather than relying on others/bus/train/taxi etc

 

[andythebrave]

Fair enough!