Urgent help needed (Taunton-Colchester)

[Tutuba]

Hi Guys, I really need your help.

On Wednesday, I need to get to Colchester (North Station) from Taunton. I need to be there by 11.21am. If possible this would need to be by the 'intercity' train which leaves at 10.30.

These are the instruction provided by Essex University, however, I have never used the underground. I need you help choosing what tickets I am meant to buy, and to find out the cheapest way.

I need to know the best way to get there and back,

Thanks so much,
Sam

 

[Chris-P]

Hi Guys, I really need your help.

On Wednesday, I need to get to Colchester (North Station) from Taunton. I need to be there by 11.21am. If possible this would need to be by the 'intercity' train which leaves at 10.30.

These are the instruction provided by Essex University, however, I have never used the underground. I need you help choosing what tickets I am meant to buy, and to find out the cheapest way.

I need to know the best way to get there and back,

Thanks so much,
Sam

Go on http://eastcoast.co.uk from there add the details of your journey. For you it looks like the 0717 train from Taunton will be the best, costing £97 (without a railcard) and arriving at Colchester for 1049

 

[Tutuba]

Is there any tips you can give me to get in any cheaper? And will this include the Underground cost?

 

[yorkie]

Yes. Many rail tickets can be cheaper either by "splitting" the journey into a combination of tickets, or by buying for a longer journey. This is because some of the most popular journeys are deliberately overpriced by greedy pricing managers.

Go on http://eastcoast.co.uk from there add the details of your journey. For you it looks like the 0717 train from Taunton will be the best, costing £97 (without a railcard) and arriving at Colchester for 1049

According to Avantix a Off Peak Return (SVR) from Taunton (TAU) to Colchester (COL) is £91.00 not valid until 0840 from Taunton ! Which means you cannot get to London until 1125. The Super Off Peak Return (SSR) at £75.60 is not valid until 0940.

The price you quote at £97 appears to be one way (the OP wants a return) Advance fare, which is a rip-off.

Anyone else is expected to pay £224 for an Anytime Return (SOR), or £112 for a single. Ludicrous!

Taunton to Ipswich is £85.40 SVR but has a rather unfortunate restriction for arrivals into Paddington (PAD) which means the 1000 arrival cannot be caught, and the next one is a lot later arriving 1125 at PAD. The SOR to Ipswich is £222, making it £2 cheaper than to COL.


I suggest a B&B!

If you must travel at this early hour then you will need to be creative...

An Off Peak Return Taunton to Nottingham (route Not London) valid via Reading (book online and get reservations as the guard may claim its not valid) code 8A Valid any train. This ticket is £70.90 (without railcard - cheaper with one) and takes you to the next stop, Reading.

From Reading (RDG), I believe a Reading to Ipswich Off Peak Return may be your best bet, at £39.70 this is valid out of Liverpool Street (LST) from 0930 and "Off-Peak tickets for journeys starting within the Network
Area to destinations outside the Network Area with travel via London are valid by any train to London, to connect with trains from London." I believe should make it valid into Paddington for a time that connects with trains that depart from 0930 so arriving at PAD at 0906 or so should be fine. However there are rules about arrivals into Paddington that I do not think should over-rule the Network area rule however the ticket issuing sites think otherwise. It's a debatable point. Otherwise, an Anytime Day Return from RDG to COL is £51.50.

I would certainly buy a railcard (if you are a student you will be eligible) and if you get the Nottingham ticket be sure to get reservations as the guard may query it.

 

[Tutuba]

Oh dear, I am not sure what to do. I am a student and I have college both the day before and after, so I don't really want to use a B&B. I know it is very dishonest, but I easily look under 15 - do you think I should get a childs ticket?

 

[thefab444]

No, you shouldn't.

If you did that, I wouldn't put it past someone on here to inform FGW so reasonable steps could be taken to ensure you are caught.

 

[Tutuba]

haha, I suppose, and I don't think I would be brave enough incase I was caught.

 

[yorkie]

Apparently travel by people over 15 on Child tickets on FGW is rife, according to what people in the area have told me. If caught and found guilty then a criminal record is possible.

 

[devon_metro]

Get the 0230 Overnight sleeper service. Arrives into London at 0540 and off peak tickets are valid (AFAIK). Have breakfast in London, see some sights before leaving for Colchester.

Why not email University of Essex (am presuming) and ask if they do travel bursaries, i've applied for one at Bristol Uni.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Oh dear, I am not sure what to do. I am a student and I have college both the day before and after, so I don't really want to use a B&B. I know it is very dishonest, but I easily look under 15 - do you think I should get a childs ticket?

Chances are, you'll be asked your age on a peak train into London, children travelling on said services is rare, and particularly on weekdays.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

Take the train from Taunton at 21:23 on tuesday evening arriving Paddington at 00:33, then transfer sometime during the night to Stratford (night buses?)
Depart Stratford at 05:30, arrive Colchester at 06:30.

Advance single 15 quid.

About the cheapest option I can find.

Cheers
DJ737
Melbourne, Australia

 

[yorkie]

Chances are, you'll be asked your age on a peak train into London, children travelling on said services is rare, and particularly on weekdays.

Yes, that's true! You can get a big grilling if you do not look like the sort to travel on a peak train on a SOR. I recall a GNER guard desperately trying to find some excuse to claim my SOR was invalid as a teenager on a peak 0800 York to London (non-stop) train, even checking the return portion. I was with someone on a PRIV who went for free. But I've known people as young as 14 be questioned but as old as 18 getting away with it without being questioned.

I'd say the sleeper option may be the best bet. You could even get a Taunton to Plymouth CDR (£10 with a railcard) and then you'd get a decent amount of sleep. Even if you add a berth it is cheaper than a peak ticket!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hi there

Take the train from Taunton at 21:23 on tuesday evening arriving Paddington at 00:33, then transfer sometime during the night to Stratford (night buses?)
Depart Stratford at 05:30, arrive Colchester at 06:30.

Advance single 15 quid.

About the cheapest option I can find.

Cheers
DJ737
Melbourne, Australia

Good research but if the OP wants to be in a good condition the next day I wouldn't recommend it.

A bus won't be a problem but a change will be required at somewhere like Bow Church or Monument. Also there is the question of what to do for over 3 hours.

 

[Dolive22]

The underground and long distance rail travel can be a bit daunting if your not used to it. I was quite worried when a combination of family illness and some voluntary work I had committed to meant I had to go cross country via London alone. But you are in the best hands possible with the experts on this site.

Have you tried asking them if there is any way they could give you a later slot (presumably for an interview) so you don't have to do this as you have to go by rail? Even if they can't help on the time it can't hurt your application that you are trying so hard not to miss a second day of college.

A word of warning. I have a friend who travels from another part of the south east to Essex and he has got stuck with engineering works several times, so check that there are none scheduled for the day you travel.

 

[yorkie]

... I had to go cross country via London alone....

To add to the confusion, the term 'cross country' usually means avoiding central London. Hence the franchise name!

But you are in the best hands possible with the experts on this site.

Thanks

Unfortunately this is one where there is very little we can do to make the cost reasonable.

 

[Dolive22]

I knew Cross Country was a franchise, but I didn't know that cross country was a railway term.

I was just worried I would screw up making my connections (FCC at Farringdon, long distance from Paddington and then one change to a local). I think three Circle Line trains went past before I was certain enough that it was a Circle Line train.

 

[Ivo]

As a rule the best route would be to simply use the Circle or Hammersmith & City between Paddington and Liverpool Street, which run every four minutes between them from Paddington Platform 16 (far north). When you get to Colchester, assuming that you're going to the University you will need to travel on bus number 61. It runs every 20 minutes from the station Forecourt (it should say "Wivenhoe via University", or something to that effect). There are other buses from the Bus Station, which is only five minutes or so by bus from the station (or you could "hitch" a ride to Colchester Town, which is virtually next door).

Hope that helps!

 

[yorkie]

I knew Cross Country was a franchise, but I didn't know that cross country was a railway term.

Franchise holders sometimes use terms for services/routes that existed historically. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Country_services (also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Country_Route - these days often known as the 'core' XC route to differentiate from all the other routes)

I was just worried I would screw up making my connections (FCC at Farringdon, long distance from Paddington and then one change to a local). I think three Circle Line trains went past before I was certain enough that it was a Circle Line train.

If you were going from Farringdon to Paddington, then simply take the first train, and stay on it as they all go to Paddington with the exception of Metropolitan trains which are a relatively easy interchange with the Bakerloo at Baker Street (although if a H&C/Circle is right behind it may be best not to bother with the interchange if you wanted to go straight to the platform and not the concourse).

If you're coming from the south on the Thameslink route then the quickest (but perhaps less comfortable) route would surely be London Bridge-Baker Street (cross platform interchange) -Paddington. But some people have a fear of deep level 'tubes' so I can understand going via Farringdon for that reason.

 

[Dolive22]

I didn't want to risk having to make a change at Baker Street. I was coming from the north but I suspect I would have been directed to change at Farringdon wherever I was coming from. The person telling me where to go commuted to Farringdon for 15 years. Still, not even I get lost between a southbound FCC train and the Circle Line at Farringdon.

 

[yorkie]

I didn't want to risk having to make a change at Baker Street. I was coming from the north but I suspect I would have been directed to change at Farringdon wherever I was coming from. The person telling me where to go commuted to Farringdon for 15 years. Still, not even I get lost between a southbound FCC train and the Circle Line at Farringdon.

I'd change at St Pancras, as the walk between the Thameslink platforms and the sub-surface Met lines is not very far really, it's just the length of the main train shed and is a pleasant walk. This probably saves 10 minutes as it's about 3 (slow) miles off your journey. At Baker Street, there is a direct link from the Met platforms to the Bakerloo, you can't get lost. But really it depends on whether you want the concourse or the platforms at Paddington. Circle/H&C takes you to the platforms and Bakerloo takes you to the concourse. If not using any station facilities or shops, then the H&C/Circle is best, particularly if you are boarding a HST in standard class.

It's a shame there isn't a "Stations made easy" guide for LU!