Oxford to Basingstoke via Guildford?

[Any_Permitted]

Hey everyone,

Tomorrow I need to travel from Oxford to Poole, leaving at 8:40am; I booked a split ticket online from Oxford -> Basingstoke and then Basingstoke -> Poole. Route: ANY PERMITTED.

Just checked and there is engineering work taking place tomorrow, so Google Maps has recommended I take the route Oxford -> Reading -> Guildford -> Woking, then stay on the train through Basingstoke to Poole.

Is this a valid route with the ticket I hold? It seems very circuitous, but I'd take it rather than waiting at stations for ages for replacement bus services. If not a valid route, what tickets do I need to buy to make it valid?

Thanks very much.

 

[island]

I think with the engineering work it will be honoured without much enquiry.

 

[Paul Kelly]

Is one of your tickets a "CrossCountry & Connections" advance? If so, you definitely need to use the rail replacement bus as that is likely the only CrossCountry "train" in your journey. That's the way I see it, anyway.

 

[Kite159]

The bus from Reading to Basingstoke will be a lot quicker than going via Guildford & Woking.

 

[Paul Kelly]

You haven't said what your tickets are so I was guessing, but I'm now thinking maybe you have two day returns, both routed "ANY PERMITTED", splitting at Basingstoke? If so, then what island is saying is quite likely to be correct. It's not permitted, and walking between Farnborough North and Main isn't permitted either, but there's a good chance you'll be OK.

 

[Any_Permitted]

The bus from Reading to Basingstoke will be a lot quicker than going via Guildford & Woking.

Yeah that's what I originally thought, but it turns out either route gets me into Poole at the same time. I'd rather take the train the whole way rather than waiting 40 mins for a bus, but if its too much hassle...

You haven't said what your tickets are so I was guessing, but I'm now thinking maybe you have two day returns, both routed "ANY PERMITTED", splitting at Basingstoke? If so, then what island is saying is quite likely to be correct. It's not permitted, and walking between Farnborough North and Main isn't permitted either, but there's a good chance you'll be OK.

Those are indeed the tickets I have, thanks very much Island for the advice, will ask staff before getting on the train but hopefully should be fine.

Cheers for the replies everyone

 

[BluePenguin]

Is one of your tickets a "CrossCountry & Connections" advance? If so, you definitely need to use the rail replacement bus as that is likely the only CrossCountry "train" in your journey. That's the way I see it, anyway.

Cross Country trains don't stop at Poole do they? In my experience if not terminating at Southampton they run fast to Brockenhurst, then non stop past all stations before terminating at Bournemouth. I am not sure off the top of my head so someone correct me if I am wrong!

If I am correct, then it wouldn't be possible to get from Oxford to Poole using Cross Country only even without engineering work. You would have to change onto South Western Railway at Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton or Brockenhurst. I doubt you would be allowed to get a train back from Bournemouth.

Taking this into account I am sure you will be allowed to complete your journey using one of these reasonable routes if you don't fancy the bus, although it is quicker. You didn't say where the engineering work is, but have you thought about getting onto a direct train to Pool from London Waterloo instead? It would take a lot longer and cost more as you would have to buy more tickets but it is an option.

 

[A Challenge]

Cross Country trains don't stop at Poole do they? In my experience if not terminating at Southampton they run fast to Brockenhurst, then non stop past all stations before terminating at Bournemouth. I am not sure off the top of my head so someone correct me if I am wrong!

If I am correct, then it wouldn't be possible to get from Oxford to Poole using Cross Country only even without engineering work. You would have to change onto South Western Railway at Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton or Brockenhurst. I doubt you would be allowed to get a train back from Bournemouth.

Poole is beyond Bournemouth, so changing there would be valid, though changing earlier at say Southampton may decrease your wait and mean you have more time within the journey spent on trains.