Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi All,

Need to get back to Cardiff on 9th December, arrive Term 5 about 1.45, I have booked an advance from Hayes & Harlington to Swindon on the 17.04 via London Paddington ( Not normal route) for an excellent £12.20 with Senior Railcard. Depart Padd 17.25 arrive Swindon 18.39

The Swindon to Cardiff is only showing Advance for the 18.45 at £16.15, am I right in thinking that the normal Off Peak with railcard is only £15.60 , which is not showing, with the inbuilt flexibility should I not make my advance and have to pay the single from Hayes to Swindon with Senior railcard.

Should I wait for the Off Peak Singles.

Many Thanks

Basset

I'm slightly puzzled by this, as it's a very long gap between 13.45 and 17.04.  I presume you are giving yourself a lot of time in case the flight is delayed?  But that's a lot of hanging around and then getting to Hayes just to save a few bob, especially if you've already had a long journey back from wherever.

Isn't the better option, the bus to Reading and then an off peak single. If you got the 1430 bus then you'd be in Cardiff at 1721, instead of having just having set off from Hayes.

It's slightly more expensive at 47.90 in total, but I'm guessing that if you are flying in and out of Heathrow for pleasure then the extra £15 or so to have a more comfortable and stress free journey home  should be small in comparison with the overall cost of the trip.

Appreciate you've already bought one ticket, but maybe something to think about for any future journeys from Heathrow.

In general I avoid advances on return from airports, for that reason. Interestingly, TransPennine express offer by default that advance tickets from Manchester Airport have their validity extended automatically if your flight is delayed.  That's a terrific idea, and maybe one other operators should do where possible.

Hi Celestial,

To be honest I never thought of that way, shall keep it in mind for next time.

The problem being I seem to have the time on my hands and going away every 6 weeks I need to keep the cost low.

Usually I book a late cheap advance and allow time for delays etc, but if everything okay I usually jump on a train at Hayes and have a break in Reading involving a beer or 2, what I didn't check before I booked was the route. This train involves a TFL to Paddington, but I think the same principal applies.

Thanks

Basset

Just a thought. Presumably you have a reserved seat on the 17:25 Padd Swindon, but no reserve on the 17:04 Hayes Padd.

Therefore, can't you catch any train from Hayes that connects with the 17:25.  I've certainly caught earlier trains than that suggested from Taplow with an advanced ticket and booked seat from Reading.

That was/is my plan, I believe it's a somewhat Grey area.

In the past I have booked cheap advance tickets from Hayes and caught the first train to Reading and then wait for the train I am booked on, likewise from Stanstead Airport, waiting at Paddington.

What's caught me out is that train goes to London Paddington the opposite way, so I have to do a bit of track bashing and apparently the Swindon bound train does not pick up at Reading.

I wait for the off peaks from Swindon to appear and I buy them on the day and if everything is on time and I am out of Terminal 5 might catch the Bus /Train providing its still off peak.

On a non reservable leg of an Advance Purchase ticket you can take an earlier train if you wish/are able to. Provided that earlier train is also non-reservable.

Better to hang around at Paddington than Hayes & Harlington.

Agreed Hayes is pretty bleak  these days at least you can eat and drink at Paddington both inside and outside the station.

You could even get one of the few bay seats on a 345 start up from the bay Platform, or if they are still running more  comfortably on a 360 Heathrow Connect or even a GWR 387.

 At least you are travelling before the timetable change!