Train options from Penzance to Bath

[Auden Hoggart]

We're planning on traveling from Penzance to Bath on the morning of Wed. 21 August. It looks like the release of Advance tickets is about a week away.

We'd like to minimize transfers and there appear to be two plausible options:

- A Cross Country train, at approximately 9:25 with a transfer to a GWR train at Bristol Temple Meads
- A GWR train, at approximately 10:40, with a transfer to another GWR train at Westbury.

I don't know what posted fares will look like next week, but the GWR x Westbury has consistently been a good deal cheaper than the earlier Cross Country train, even using Split Ticket options.

I realize that complaints about rolling stock have to be taken with a grain of salt, but it seems that there are more complaints about Cross Country.

Leaving to one side, for the moment, any fares difference, what experience/advice do you have regarding choice of trains on comfort/convenience grounds?

Thanks!

 

[tomwills98]

Comfort I'd go via Westbury as the IET's are longer and reduce crowding. I've gone from Plymouth to Bristol Parkway to get back to Bridgend with XC and it got a tad busy by Taunton, which is also where you become nose blind to the toilets.

Going with XC is quicker but personally, I'd go with via Westbury. I'd rather spend the journey in a bit more comfort not minding the hard seats.

 

[43096]

Welcome to the 21st century railway. A choice between a 4 or 5 car uncomfortable train run by a naff train company or a 5 or 9 car uncomfortable train run by a naff train company.

Drive would be my choice...

 

[Adsy125]

I’d go via Westbury personally, as long as the connection you get is onto a 158 or 150/2. An IET is a much nicer train to travel on, unless you hate firm seats in which case I’d go via Bristol.

 

[PHILIPE]

I’d go via Westbury personally, as long as the connection you get is onto a 158 or 150/2. An IET is a much nicer train to travel on, unless you hate firm seats in which case I’d go via Bristol.

Most Westbury to Bath local trains are now 165/6 Turbos.