Reading to Sunderland

[leymoo]

Intended journey:
Reading - Sunderland
start Wednesday 7th Sep, around 2-3pm (can be later if that is helpful, but not much earlier).

Return
Sunderland-Reading
start Thursday 8th Sep, some point after 3:30pm (would prefer to leave fairly promptly)

Aim - snaffle 1st class on a large chunk on the upward part of my journey for the same cost as normal walk up fare equivalent. Not too fussed about return.
Don't mind a fixed train on the leg up.

Dislike the crosscountry route as it's overcrowded but could be persuaded if a significant saving is found.

If London routed, would prefer Virgin over Grand Central if 1st class, Grand Central over Virgin if standard class.

Can contactless the tube legs if needed.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

What's the question?

Do you want assistance in booking the tickets? In finding trains times, in travelling within a set budget, in choosing from a variety of routes or from a variety of times of travel? Are you looking for the journey that is the cheapest on those days, or which is the closest to the times you mention, or which lets you travel over the greatest amount of railway within the day?

 

[Paul Kelly]

It's not a good time of day to be travelling if you want cheap fares, as it will be evening peak time (or at least, evening peak restrictions on Off-Peak tickets will be in force) by the time you'll be leaving London. Going via Birmingham on CrossCountry will be a lot cheaper. To get an anyway reasonable price via London you probably need to look at Grand Central. On the 16:50 from King's Cross to Sunderland tomorrow there is still a 1st class advance at £106.20 and a standard advance for £74.80.