Southampton Central to Windermere

[MartinC]

Some interesting results from a selection of sites.

Almost all, as a first option involved using Cross Country from Southampton with midland transfers within unrealistic timing (in view of CC's delay record).

When specifying travel via London, one came up with via Basingstoke/Reading/St Pancras/Euston.

Using advance option for via Waterloo produced realistic journey options but is the average customer, without a detailed knowledge of the network, best served for a fraught free journey?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@MartinC. Do-able with a single change at Manchester Piccadilly, this off the hourly XC direct service from Southampton Central, especially so if travelling at the weekend with an XC First Class upgrade. Does, however, involve using the busy island platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, though, which might not suit some.

P.S. What's the most important criteria for "fraught-free"? Overall journey time, low price, seamless connections between trains? Or even avoiding XC altogether or doing a cross-London transfer?

 

[Hadders]

Some interesting results from a selection of sites. Almost all, as a first option involved using Cross Country from Southampton with midland transfers within unrealistic timing (in view of CC's delay record). When specifying travel via London, one came up with via Basingstoke/Reading/St Pancras/Euston. Using advance option for via Waterloo produced realistic journey options but is the average customer, without a detailed knowledge of the network, best served for a fraught free journey?

I'm not sure what you're asking here.

Define 'fraught free'? If your train is late and you miss a connection then you can travel on the next service without any penalty. You don't need to get any authorisation to do this. You would also very likely be entitled to claim delay repay. If you want additional interchange time then if you use the forum's site you can specify this.

People choose different routes for lots of reasons:

- Some prefer a route with fewer changes
- Some don't want to travel via London, yet some are happy to do that
- Some routes might be cheaper than others
- Some routes have a higher frequency which can be useful int he event of delays

This sort of issue isn't unique to the railways. I'm currently planning a trip to Sri Lanka and there are lots of different routes available, different schedules, different times, some direct, some where changes are required. Some interchange times are very short, some much longer....

 

[Haywain]

People choose different routes for lots of reasons:

- Some prefer a route with fewer changes
- Some don't want to travel via London, yet some are happy to do that
- Some routes might be cheaper than others
- Some routes have a higher frequency which can be useful int he event of delays

Some choose the route with the best chance of being delayed, so that they can claim Delay Repay.

 

[FenMan]

Some choose the route with the best chance of being delayed, so that they can claim Delay Repay.

So that's why XC are so popular.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Some choose the route with the best chance of being delayed, so that they can claim Delay Repay.

Is this really a good idea? Is XC's time keeping so terrible that there's such a good chance of getting Delay Repay (i.e. an effective discount on the fare) that it outweighs finding a cheap ticket (so something of a discount) and having certainty of your financial position?

 

[yorkie]

Some interesting results from a selection of sites.

Almost all, as a first option involved using Cross Country from Southampton with midland transfers within unrealistic timing (in view of CC's delay record).

When specifying travel via London, one came up with via Basingstoke/Reading/St Pancras/Euston.

Using advance option for via Waterloo produced realistic journey options but is the average customer, without a detailed knowledge of the network, best served for a fraught free journey?

What are the passengers requirements?

And what would make it fraught free, e.g. do they dislike changing platforms, or worry about having a seat, or is arrival time crucial etc?

Is this really a good idea? Is XC's time keeping so terrible that there's such a good chance of getting Delay Repay (i.e. an effective discount on the fare) that it outweighs finding a cheap ticket (so something of a discount) and having certainty of your financial position?

It very much depends on the passengers requirements, such as what time can they depart, what time do they need/want to arrive etc.

There have been plenty of times when I have travelled hours earlier than I needed to, and I would have been happy to take delay compensation, but also other times when I cannot travel any earlier and would want to avoid a delay.

 

[Swedenorer]

For simplicity and flexibility I'd use go via London Waterloo every time. The OP return at £183.90. Waterloo to Euston is direct via the Northern Line (these days I'd use a cab actually). If fraught free is the most important criterion this is the one in my view. If anything is up via Basingstoke you could go via Havant - but not Ford apparently - and if it all collapsed that way you are still valid via Reading.

 

[Snow1964]

Southampton to Windermere is one of those routes where huge number of options, not the sort of journey would normally do at short notice. So for interest picked a weird route day return midweek 8th June.

£124.50 no railcard, changing at Newport Wales, Crewe and Oxenholme, using GWR, TfW, Avanti West Coast, Northern. Not quickest but probably one of more scenic options and it avoids XC