Paddington to Malvern?

[GodAtum]

Looking to get a Paddington - Great Malvern return using https://tickets-beta.railforums.co.uk, outward tomorrow morning and return Sunday morning. A standard class ticket plus weekend upgrade is £40 less then a 1st class ticket.

Looking at the seat selection map, it doesn't look busy so I could risk the former option. But I am nervous I won't get a solo seat. Anyone know how busy that route could be?

 

[Benjwri]

Looking to get a Paddington - Great Malvern return using https://tickets-beta.railforums.co.uk, outward tomorrow morning and return Sunday morning. A standard class ticket plus weekend upgrade is £40 less then a 1st class ticket.

Looking at the seat selection map, it doesn't look busy so I could risk the former option. But I am nervous I won't get a solo seat. Anyone know how busy that route could be?

It’ll be busy to Oxford, maybe to Moreton, but relatively quiet from then on. First class is usually quiet.

 

[GodAtum]

It’ll be busy to Oxford, maybe to Moreton, but relatively quiet from then on. First class is usually quiet.

If I get a standard class ticket, where is the unreserved carriage for 1st class?

 

[GodAtum]

Also, on https://tickets-beta.railforums.co.uk, it's saying the 10:58 Great Malvern to Paddington exists, but on the GWR website it says it's been cancelled. How long does it take the booking tool to update?

Edit: this is this Sunday

 

[Benjwri]

If I get a standard class ticket, where is the unreserved carriage for 1st class?

There isn’t an unreserved carriage, but at least when I went last there were only one or two seats reserved in First Class on that route.

Also, on https://tickets-beta.railforums.co.uk, it's saying the 10:58 Great Malvern to Paddington exists, but on the GWR website it says it's been cancelled. How long does it take the booking tool to update?

Edit: this is this Sunday

Where does GWR say that? It isn’t cancelled in industry systems and GWR will sell a ticket for it.

 

[GodAtum]

Thanks. On their website it said it was delayed from 10:59 to 14:15. Now the time is back to normal. Strange!

 

[Essan]

There have been some cancellations on Sundays just recently.

As per above, the service tends to be busy between Paddington and Oxford (and vice versa) but quieter for the Cotswold line itself. Obviously more space likely in the 9 car trains than those with just 5 coaches.

 

[GodAtum]

There have been some cancellations on Sundays just recently.

As per above, the service tends to be busy between Paddington and Oxford (and vice versa) but quieter for the Cotswold line itself. Obviously more space likely in the 9 car trains than those with just 5 coaches.

Looks like a 5 coach on Sunday (for the 10:58), but as it starts at Great Malvern, I should be able to bag a 1st class unreserved seat easily?

 

[Essan]

Looks like a 5 coach on Sunday (for the 10:58), but as it starts at Great Malvern, I should be able to bag a 1st class unreserved seat easily?

Yes, boarding at Malvern you should be fine - probably be the only 1st class passenger on it from there!

 

[GodAtum]

Just to report back. I got the 09:50 Paddington to Great Malvern, paid £17 for a Seatfrog upgrade (saving £3 on the on-train upgrade). Only a few other passengers.

Returning today I got the 09:58, paid £17 for a Seatfrog upgrade. Only 5 coaches so the train was full and standing by Oxford. I couldn't quite belive my eyes at how many people got on at remote stations such as Kingham, Charlbury and Hanbrough. More people got on the train then live in the local village! Some poor people where left standing on Radley and waiting for another hour as the train was so full.

 

[yorkie]

Just to report back. I got the 09:50 Paddington to Great Malvern, paid £17 for a Seatfrog upgrade (saving £3 on the on-train upgrade). Only a few other passengers.

Returning today I got the 09:58, paid £17 for a Seatfrog upgrade. Only 5 coaches so the train was full and standing by Oxford. I couldn't quite belive my eyes at how many people got on at remote stations such as Kingham, Charlbury and Hanbrough. More people got on the train then live in the local village! Some poor people where left standing on Radley and waiting for another hour as the train was so full.

Don't forget to claim back the Seatfrog "platform fee" (or whatever they call it); your best bet may be to save up a load of receipts, and do a big claim once the value is worth it. Their drip pricing techniques are not lawful.

 

[GodAtum]

Don't forget to claim back the Seatfrog "platform fee" (or whatever they call it); your best bet may be to save up a load of receipts, and do a big claim once the value is worth it. Their drip pricing techniques are not lawful.

How do I claim that back?

 

[Doctor Fegg]

I couldn't quite belive my eyes at how many people got on at remote stations such as Kingham, Charlbury and Hanbrough. More people got on the train then live in the local village!

Charlbury (a town) has a population of 3000, so I doubt that!

(But we are a very rail-centric town and also the railhead for places like Soho Farmhouse.)