What influences your choice of train

[whole diary]

[grahame]

When you have a choice of journey options, which factors influence you the most?   You may vote for as many or as few options as you like. Poll idea from reading another thread

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Catering factors in for me as well, i wouldn't use xc to get to scotland as i wouldn't be able to get any decent food onboard, and would gladly pay extra to go via london.

[eightf48544]

I agree catering could be a factor for longer journeys.

What about reliability of changes especialy if say you are changing from a local train to an IC^▸ (Inter City) with an advanced ticket on the IC. Do you do what I do and take the train before the one given (30 minute service) on the itinery just to be on the safe side.

Lowest fare is a factor but then advanced can be a hassle if you need to change your plans at the last minute.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i think to me, if i was on a longer journey i would want to get a ticket with a decent amount of flexibility, i wouldnt want to miss a train due to delays and be charged more because i tried to save.

however if i was going to london i would use swt as its cheaper and more comfortable... despite the lack of catering .... however others may pick speed and quieter ride

[grahame]

As this isn't totally scientific, I have gone back and added "catering" and "reliability" options.    Those of you have voted already ARE able to go back and change your votes on this poll!

[Timmer]

For comfort, if heading north it's via London for me now Voyagers rule the roost on XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)). Yes it takes longer but you can't beat the comfort of an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) to Paddington then onwards by Class 91/HST East Coast or to a lesser extent Pendolino on West Coast.

Not surprised to see price topping the poll even at this early stage which good value is something easily achieved if you know well in advance that you intend to travel, but not so easy if you dont...long distance anyway.

[devon_metro]

I'd say the type of train is important, if it's a Voyager for example, or a long journey on a 150, i'll do my best to avoid travelling on said services, however ultimately price is my most important factor.

On a side note, I paid the grand price of ^3.30 to travel from Southampton - North Somerset which i'm rather happy with 

[LiskeardRich]

living in cornwall i generall dont have many options, i have to get to destination by set time,  normally within devon and cornwall i have choice of solely getting from origin to destination at the right time,

[readytostart]

For any jouney over three hours I would have to say frequency of service en-route, I get quite claustrophobic on board when I'm not working, even in first class, and having a reservation (or finding a seat free for the journey you're making) doesn't stop a particularly popular train becoming really rammed. I would rather do half the trip, jump off and have a pint and then get the next train - purely to get a breath of fresh air on today's air conditioned units! 
Being staff I can only get my discount off SOS / SOR tickets which makes travelling via London quite expensive when the SVR can be less than a quarter of the price than the SOR.

[JayMac]

I too, like to break up a long journey and hop off en route for a stroll, fresh air and a pint/coffee. I'll often buy split Advances or combine an Advance with a walk-up ticket to allow me a break en-route.

I have some quirks as well. If travelling to Exeter or beyond from Bristol, I'll try my damnedest to avoid Voyagers, often taking a local to Taunton or Westbury and picking up a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) from there.

Ultimately though, price is the main consideration for me. I'm happy to get up early doors for an 0635 departure from Shirehampton and travel for nearly 4 hours to London via Salisbury for the bargain price of ^19.45 Day Return (Railcard). I can arrive in London Waterloo around 1015 and have a whole day there, returning any time up to 1920. To arrive around the same time into Paddington I'd be paying ^38.80 and be limited by evening return options.

I also get a perverse pleasure from discovering ticketing loopholes that save me oodles of cash. 

[Mookiemoo]

For me comfort and type of train is the same - I will avoid little trains if at all possible.  Then its catering

[Ollie]

Whether I can do it on First Group boxes or not

Route sometimes, I like to go odd routes if I can.

And catering, but it depends what my bank balance is like.

Type of stock doesn't really bother me so much.

[Umberleigh]

Like many others on here I would never consider a long journey North on a Voyager and would thus go via London (hoping to do Scotland trip before too long)

Will do anything to avoid finding myself on 142/143/150 etc for a mainline journey eg Cornish main line.

Would never choose a service without catering if within my control.

Late night trains heading West can feel rather soulless, especially after the Buffet has closed and you are one of just a few people on board. Therefore, much prefer the buzz and convenience of the Sleeper.

Occasionally do Exeter to London on the Salisbury (SWT^▸ (South West Trains)) route for a change of scenery, however the catering is poor/sporadic and little effort made to police the first class compartment. That said, the trains themselves are quite comfortable and seem fit for purpose.

Going up to Norwich tomorrow (via Pad) and so looking forward to first journey out of Liverpool Lime Street for over 6 years, although sadly no longer any chance of dinner in the dining car

[Bob_Blakey]

Off to London on Friday but, unusually, going to Waterloo purely because FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had no cheaper tickets available at the time I needed to travel (and I am paying - if the employer was footing the bill I would go to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) regardless of the cost).

[Brucey]

Catering isn't something that is of interest to me.  If I'm making a journey, I'll either ensure I take enough food to last or arrange somewhere to stop en route.  I'm not really keen on having to eat cheese sandwiches because that's all the buffet has left, especially considering the price charged compared to food outlets within walking distance of stations.

Price is definitely the most important factor to me at the moment, shortly followed by the best departure/arrival times.  I would easily choose another method of transport over the train if it was cheaper.