Newcastle to Exeter and return during Industrial Action

[ronshirt]

I’m travelling to and from Exeter on XC late Sept. early Oct. Does anyone know how many trains might be cancelled due to the overtime ban? I’m an OAP with health issues that make standing for long periods uncomfortable and I need to know if I need a plan B.

Also there is a seat on Voyagers that has no seat reservation screen above it. It is a single seat next to the vestibule. Can anyone tell me which coach this seat is in?

I have booked seats both legs and I’m not on Advance tickets.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Personally I'd go via London if you pick up an Advance for your outward trip it may even be cheaper

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would travel via London. Indeed to be honest I would travel via London anyway, as XC is the absolute pits even in normal circumstances. If getting across London is a bit much, ensure you have a decent long gap between trains and take a black cab which should be pretty stress free.

As @Wallsendmag says it may be worth using the Forum's site to see if there are suitable Advances, potentially split, to save a few quid to boot, then refund your existing walk up fare. Or if you prefer excess it to a pair of Super Off Peak Singles routed via London if it's the Not London Off Peak Return (as there are no returns on most LNER flows), though you may need to shop around a few booking offices to get that done.

It would be sensible to reserve a seat on LNER as they run quite high load factors. If not booking an Advance with reservation you can do this on the LNER website.

Alternatively if you don't mind spending a very long time on one, look at the coach option - it's likely to be quite cheap - but I'd even choose XC over that Or perhaps look if there are any air travel options.

 

[Hadders]

I would also travel via London, and book assistance at Kings Cross and Paddington.

 

[ronshirt]

Thanks all.

 

[robbeech]

I think it’s unlikely you’ll find many who wouldn’t suggest via London. It’s roughly the same time overall and most itineraries give you around an hour of transfer time in London.

 

[Hadders]

And to add if you want additional transfer time you can specify this if you use the forum's ticketing site.