Different route to avoid using the tube

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

I would have gone this way:

Bristol Temple Meads - Southampton Central. Which you can book ADV tickets for, but the off peak returns are cheap enough I find

Then Take a Southern Service to Brighton, they run every hour, normally at 33 minutes past IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly). Normally these depart from the opposite platform on the same island. So stairs aren't an issue, IIRC there is lifts there so that shouldn't be a problem. But if you want to guarentee the train being on the same platform, split the tickets are fareham instead. (Something else to consider, with thanks to Brucey for this, is the split at Havant trick, which is slightly cheaper than BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) - Fareham).

When you arrive at Brighton, this is terminus station with total step free access, bar the odd pavement or two... Pick up a direct service to Eastbourne, and your there!

Completely avoids LU and mostly step free

[Brucey]

(Something else to consider, with thanks to Brucey for this, is the split at Havant trick, which is slightly cheaper than BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) - Fareham).

It is cheaper than BRI-CSA.  BRI-FRM is actually ^2 cheaper than BRI-HAV.

This inconsistency is not just at Havant.  All the stations in the Havant area (Emsworth, Warblington, Southbourne, Nutbourne) have the same fare from Bristol.  Splitting further down the line might make the Brighton ticket slightly cheaper.

Doesn't just seem to be the case from Bristol either.  Cheaper to buy CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-HAV than CDF-CSA, same with WMN^» (Warminster - next trains) and other stations on this line.

[paul7575]

Then Take a Southern Service to Brighton, they run every hour, normally at 33 minutes past IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly). Normally these depart from the opposite platform on the same island.

It's changed - the direct xx33 to Brighton now departs from the same platform as the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) arrives on, ie 2A, so unless the FGW is late it's the next train on the same platform, arriving about xx17 or so.  It's the Victoria train at xx13 that uses 3A, and that is usually already sitting in Southampton when the FGW arrives - but its useful as far as Barnham.

Paul

[thetrout]

It's changed - the direct xx33 to Brighton now departs from the same platform as the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) arrives on, ie 2A, so unless the FGW is late it's the next train on the same platform, arriving about xx17 or so.  It's the Victoria train at xx13 that uses 3A, and that is usually already sitting in Southampton when the FGW arrives - but its useful as far as Barnham.

Paul

Ah right... Thanks for clarifying that

I prefer to use Southern when going to London from SOU to be honest, Because I can get to Victoria Coach Station without having to use LU from Waterloo or a change at Clapham Junction. Also I don't particularly want to pay ^59.50 for a First OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter) Period Return with SWT^▸ (South West Trains), when Southern offer a First OP Period Return for ^27.70 and that includes a free cup of coffee Even if it does take considerably longer! But then i'm a strange individual...