London to Cardiff friday 1/9

[The_Van]

Morning
We have advance tickets for the above, mid morning departure from Padd. Looking at the GWR Web it appears this won't be running and we can only go Padd-Bristol then Bristol to Cardiff but no timetable yet.
My wife is already stressing saying she doesn't want to stand etc, based on previous strike days what will the frequency be like, will the trains be rammed, no reservations etc?
I can drive if necessary, any advice gratefully received thank you

 

[wibble]

The GWR website says the timetable for 1 Sept will be published tomorrow, so maybe check then and see if the times work for you? https://www.gwr.com/strike

 

[The_Van]

The GWR website says the timetable for 1 Sept will be published tomorrow, so maybe check then and see if the times work for you? https://www.gwr.com/strike

Thanks I will.

I'm also interested in anyone's experience of travelling this route on previous strike days

 

[MrJeeves]

I'm also interested in anyone's experience of travelling this route on previous strike days

In my experience, long distance routes on strike days tend to be rather empty in reality because most people don't want to travel. At least that's my experience using Avanti into or out of London.

 

[The_Van]

In my experience, long distance routes on strike days tend to be rather empty in reality because most people don't want to travel. At least that's my experience using Avanti into or out of London.

Thanks that was sort of my thinking, presumably our advance tickets Padd to Cardiff will be valid on any Padd to Bristol, Bristol to Cardiff trains?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

...presumably our advance tickets Padd to Cardiff will be valid on any Padd to Bristol, Bristol to Cardiff trains?

Not sure, unless specifically allowed, you can necessarily automatically assume that on advance tickets, especially so if the specific trains you're booked on, do actually run.

 

[The_Van]

Not sure you can necessarily automatically assume that on advance tickets, especially so if the specific trains you're booked on, do actually run.

There are no London to Cardiff services running, you have to go London-Bristol TM then from there to Cardiff

 

[Hadders]

Using the tickets via Bristol on a strike day won't be an issue. I can't comment on how busy the trains will be but when I've travelled on strike days (admitedely not London to Cardiff) I've generally not had any issues with the trains being busy.

 

[The_Van]

Using the tickets via Bristol on a strike day won't be an issue. I can't comment on how busy the trains will be but when I've travelled on strike days (admitedely not London to Cardiff) I've generally not had any issues with the trains being busy.

Thanks Hadders much appreciated

 

[Pdf]

I'm doing the same journey. I've also seen there are coaches from Bristol to Cardiff in case I reach Bristol only to end up stranded.

 

[StarCrossing]

My experiences of travelling between London and Bristol on strike days is that the trains are busy but not crush-loaded. As ever, the best approach is to arrive at Paddington early, wait on the bridge, and once the train is announced head to the very front of the train. The vast majority of passengers will pile on at the back of the train.

Unless there's an event on, I'd expect Bristol to Cardiff trains to be quiet.

 

[The_Van]

My experiences of travelling between London and Bristol on strike days is that the trains are busy but not crush-loaded. As ever, the best approach is to arrive at Paddington early, wait on the bridge, and once the train is announced head to the very front of the train. The vast majority of passengers will pile on at the back of the train.

Unless there's an event on, I'd expect Bristol to Cardiff trains to be quiet.

Thank you that's excellent advice, are the trains completely unreserved or do we need to head for specific coaches?

 

[StarCrossing]

Thank you that's excellent advice, are the trains completely unreserved or do we need to head for specific coaches?

When I've travelled between Bristol and London, it's been just like normal - there are reservations in place, but lots of unreserved seats too. I wouldn't expect reservations on the Bristol to Cardiff leg, but that's just an educated guess.

 

[The_Van]

When I've travelled between Bristol and London, it's been just like normal - there are reservations in place, but lots of unreserved seats too. I wouldn't expect reservations on the Bristol to Cardiff leg, but that's just an educated guess.

Thanks that's great