[Rich McLean]

I plan to do Oxford to Bury St Edmonds in October, on a First Class Advance Ticket for £54 (£27 each way). Its a GA Only and Connections, however, Journey Itinary is OXF - PAD, then the Tube to Kings Kross, then FCC to Cambridge and then GA to Bury St Edmonds.

Now, would I encounter any problems on the FCC service, as I have heard of problems before, with pax being told that the ticket is not valid on FCC services as there is a GA stopper which goes to Cambridge?

NRE says its valid, but just want to double check before I splash the cash

[MK Tom]

I know it's not really what you're asking, but I'd just go on the X5 to Cambridge and get the train from there. The combined return cost will be around £20 and it gives you a half hourly service to mess about with rather than being tied down to one train.

Another user will probably know better but my understanding is GA-only tickets are not valid on FCC services via Hitchin at all.

[aleksander]

As the ticket is routed GA Only and Connections, I see no problem with the ticket. You are travelling on GA between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge and FCC and FGW are the connections.

I suspect that the intention of the ticket is that you travel via Ipswich, but there is nothing to stop you going via Cambridge, if that is the route offered by a journey planner. Indeed, if booking an Advance ticket and given a routeing via Cambridge on FCC, then that is the route you should take.

[eastdyke]

Originally Posted by Rich McLean

I plan to do Oxford to Bury St Edmonds in October, on a First Class Advance Ticket for £54 (£27 each way). Its a GA Only and Connections, however, Journey Itinary is OXF - PAD, then the Tube to Kings Kross, then FCC to Cambridge and then GA to Bury St Edmonds.

Now, would I encounter any problems on the FCC service, as I have heard of problems before, with pax being told that the ticket is not valid on FCC services as there is a GA stopper which goes to Cambridge?

NRE says its valid, but just want to double check before I splash the cash

As you havn't yet bought the ticket, how do you know that it will say GA and connections?

Whatever the ticket may say, if you print a copy of the journey itinerary and take it with you when you travel that should give you all the reassurance that you need if challenged.

[sonic2009]

Originally Posted by eastdyke

As you havn't yet bought the ticket, how do you know that it will say GA and connections?

Take a look here at BRFARES.com, all advance tickets are GA + Connections, so it will be most likely that the advance ticket will have this printed on it.

If FCC are saying it's not valid take a print-out of the itinerary, and show it if you encounter any problems. They should not be able to refuse you travel as you are sticking to the itinerary, as given by the website you bought the ticket from.

A quick note to everyone the tickets are routed ✠AP GRTANG&CONCTS this means that the connecting services are FGW & FCC and the last part to Bury St Edmunds is GA, I suspect the journey planners route you via Cambridge as this is a lot quicker, than travelling from Liverpool Street.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Upon checking at http://tickets.eastcoast.co.uk the default routeing when putting in Oxford to Bury St Edmunds was via Ipswich, and it was offering advance tickets for £18.00 STD & £27.00 1ST, when I specified via Cambridge it gave the same fares, but the use of FCC between London & Cambridge.

So if you take a valid printout of your journey and show it if you encounter any problems, explain to them. If they still refuse you travel, it may be worth making a complaint.

[eastdyke]

Originally Posted by sonic2009

Take a look here at BRFARES.com, all advance tickets are GA + Connections, so it will be most likely that the advance ticket will have this printed on it.

If FCC are saying it's not valid take a print-out of the itinerary, and show it if you encounter any problems. They should not be able to refuse you travel as you are sticking to the itinerary, as given by the website you bought the ticket from.

A quick note to everyone the tickets are routed ✠AP GRTANG&CONCTS this means that the connecting services are FGW & FCC and the last part to Bury St Edmunds is GA, I suspect the journey planners route you via Cambridge as this is a lot quicker, than travelling from Liverpool Street.

Thank you.

Taken from that link:

The fares are set by GA.

'N.B. One or more fares below are set by train operating company GREATER ANGLIA (AGA). Some fares set by AGA in this issue of the National Fares Manual (particularly Super Off-Peak fares) are known to contain errors, such as missing restriction details and incorrect prices. Please check details with a rail booking office if possible.'

Which may not help the OP!

I would use the NRE Journey Planner and as previously mentioned keep a copy of the itinerary with me at all times when travelling.

FWIW the £27 rate includes some journeys routed via GA Ipswich/Stowmarket as well as some via FCC Cambridge.

[Rich McLean]

Many Thanks, I will take all this Onboard

[MK Tom]

I still think you're causing yourself unnecessary trouble and should just get the X5 to Cambridge and the train from there - a half hourly service and an £11.40 return to Cambridge is hard to disagree with! It might give a slightly longer journey time but involves no changing, no tube, wifi, leather seats, footrests and a much lower walk-on price. I'm beginning to sound like a Stagecoach spokesman lol - but it's easily the best option I'd say.

[maniacmartin]

I've only travelled on the X5 a few times, but every time I've felt travel sick due to their buses with crazy suspension taking all the winding roads at speed. It felt neither pleasant nor safe, so I can see why the train, whilst not as direct, might be preferable.

[LexyBoy]

I don't think you'll have any problems as you'll have reservations clearly for the Cambridge-Bury St Edmunds leg.

Is your journey at peak times during the week? If not then bear in mind that the Off Peak Return is only £57.20 (£37.75 Railcard; Bury St Edmunds is outside the Network Area but you could use a Network Railcard as far as Cambridge). You'll not be getting much benefit from First Class on the London-Bury St Edmunds leg, so try and make sure you're on a HST service from Oxford.

I would also probably use the train for the whole journey rather than the X5; you'll have a walk between bus and train stations in Cambridge, there's no guarantee of making your connection, and the bus journey is interminably long...

[Rich McLean]

I will be sticking to the train, but will go for standard class. I think the service from oxf is a turbo or a 180, although the next one is a HST