Reading to Penrhyndeudraeth - Best Ticket?

[LordCreed]

I'm making a journey from Reading (RDG) to Penrhyndeudraeth (PRH) on Friday, returning a week Sunday.

I'm intending to catch the 12:15 off RDG as far as Wolverhampton, before changing onto the ATW unit for the long slog to PRH.

For the return, I'm wishing to catch the 12:06 from PRH back to Birminham, before getting a train down to Cheltenham Spa where I'm ending my journey.

Is a Off Peak Return from RDG - PRH valid for both routes?

 

[Gareth Marston]

I'm making a journey from Reading (RDG) to Penrhyndeudraeth (PRH) on Friday, returning a week Sunday.

I'm intending to catch the 12:15 off RDG as far as Wolverhampton, before changing onto the ATW unit for the long slog to PRH.

For the return, I'm wishing to catch the 12:06 from PRH back to Birminham, before getting a train down to Cheltenham Spa where I'm ending my journey.

Is a Off Peak Return from RDG - PRH valid for both routes?

Not Valid via Cheltenham.

theirs some marginal savings splitting tickets but an Off Peak Return (SVR) RDG to PRH and a CDS from BHM to CNM is going to be around 115

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

An off-peak ticket from Swindon to PRH appears to be valid either via Cheltenham, Didcot/Oxford or Reading/Oxford to Birmingham.
You'd be starting short at Reading and finishing short at Cheltenham.
Off peak return is £103.50.
The same ticket from Reading is £90.10 but not valid via Cheltenham, so you would have to pay extra for Birmingham-Cheltenham which is £24.70 single.

 

[DelW]

I'm intending to catch the 12:15 off RDG as far as Wolverhampton, before changing onto the ATW unit for the long slog to PRH.

I'd suggest changing at Birmingham International rather than Wolves. The ATW train lays over there, so you have plenty of time to board and (usually) plenty of choice of seats. If you want to be forward-facing over the most scenic parts, remember the units reverse at Shrewsbury (though enough people get off and on there that it's usually possible to change seats anyway).

When I've done similar trips (Guildford - Porthmadog) it has been worthwhile to split tickets at BHI, which might help with options on your return.

 

[0B00]

I'd suggest changing at Birmingham International rather than Wolves. The ATW train lays over there, so you have plenty of time to board and (usually) plenty of choice of seats. If you want to be forward-facing over the most scenic parts, remember the units reverse at Shrewsbury (though enough people get off and on there that it's usually possible to change seats anyway).

When I've done similar trips (Guildford - Porthmadog) it has been worthwhile to split tickets at BHI, which might help with options on your return.

And be aware that the Pwllheli portion is on the front FROM Birmingham and then the REAR upon reversal at Shrewsbury - enjoy watching the confusion as people move between sets upon departure from Shrewsbury.

 

[Kite159]

Agreed, if you can changing at Birmingham International would be better than changing at Wolverhampton, as you get the better choice of unreserved seats, as those trains do get busy at New Street with passengers for Shrewsbury