Cheapest Way to...

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

Evening...

Trout is a little excited, he has to go to Telford tomorrow to attend a friends Birthday! Meaning Wrexham & Shropshire is the order of the day

However, once completed there he needs to see his other friend down in Southend Victoria.

As I have missed the ADV booking deadline, What would be the cheapest/easiest way to get from Telford Central to Southend Victoria, First Class...? Preferrably avoiding LU but not essential! Please and much thanks

TT

[JayMac]

Remind me, you have a railcard?

[thetrout]

Disabled Adult...!

Cheers for this BNM

[JayMac]

Sorry, one more question and I'll go a-searching. What time do you want to leave Telford?

[thetrout]

any time after 15:30

Cheers

[johoare]

that sounds like quite a journey 

[JayMac]

Avoiding the tube can be done but quite late getting into Southend. Southend Central is a slightly earlier arrival. One way is thus:

1527 Telford - Banbury 1708 (WS)

TEL-BAN 1st Class Day Single (WS Only) ^17.80 includes slap up meal!

1722 Banbury - Reading 1809 (XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)))
1842 Reading - Richmond 1945 (SWT^▸ (South West Trains)) Bit of a jog and the XC being on time and you could make the 1812 to Richmond!

BAN-CLJ 1st Class Day Single ^25.90 (Cheaper to get ticket to Clapham Junction and travel short)

1957 Richmond - Gospel Oak 2029
2040 Gospel Oak - Barking 2114
2124 Barking - Southend Central 2205

RMD-SOC Standard Anytime Day Single ^10.25 (No 1st Class on London Overground or c2c)

TOTAL ^53.95

Even making that quick connection at Reading will not get you into either Southend station any earlier. Alternative non London route via Stratford is subject to engineering and buses tomorrow.


Via Marylebone and tube to Liverpool Street will be:

1527 Telford - Marylebone 1815
1815 Marylebone - Liverpool Street 1855 ( tube transfer estimate)

TFC-Zone U1 London 1st Class Day Single (WS Only) ^51.50

1912 Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria 2013

LST-SOV 1st Class Anytime Single ^21.60

TOTAL ^73.10


As I write there are still some Advance 1st Class fares from Telford to London Euston via Birmingham New Street, for example the 1608 (London Midland Standard Class only to New Street) connecting into the 1710 Virgin Trains Pendolino (free evening 'meal') arriving London Euston 1838. 1st ADV fare currently ^25.75. Or the later 1651 from Telford via Brum to Euston arriving 1914. 1st ADV currently ^19.15.


In conclusion, with Wrexham & Shropshire as far as Banbury cheaper but longer avoiding central London, but with Standard class on the trains from Richmond onwards. More expensive to Marylebone then from Liverpool Street but 1st Class all the way (excepting tube).

Or cheaper still if you buy a 1st Advance, NOW, from Telford to Euston then tube or Bus to Liverpool Street.

(Phew!!!! ...... and relax)