There are several sections of engineering work in East Anglia this weekend affecting Norwich to London journeys. On the GEML via Ipswich buses replace trains from Witham to Billericay and on the route via Cambridge buses replace trains on a shorter section between Ely and Cambridge North. In theory its possible to make the journey without any bus replacements either via Peterborough or via Stowmarket/Cambridge. However, itineraries on Norwich-Peterborough direct trains aren't offered by booking engines for 1st April - is some kind of mandatory reservation in effect?
I'm looking to make this journey on Easter Monday (1st April). I'd prefer to use an off-peak ticket as I don't know which time I'll be able to travel. I'd like to avoid any routes which are likely to be very busy if possible. Looking at the timetables, taking ~12:00 departure from Norwich as an example, I appear to have 4x options:
OPTION 1 (via Peterborough)
Norwich 11:56 - 13:22 Peterborough
Peterborough 13:30 - 14:23 Kings Cross
FARES: n/a? (problem booking Norwich - Peterborough), Off-Peak should be £59 (split at Peterborough)
DURATION: 2h27 (** FASTEST OPTION)
OPTION 2 (via Stowmarket/Cambridge)
Norwich 12:00 - 12:28 Stowmarket
Stowmarket 12:35 - 13:41 Cambridge
Cambridge 13:53 - 14:59 St Pancras
FARES: Off-Peak £45.40 (split at Cambridge - ** CHEAPEST FLEXIBLE OPTION)
DURATION: 2h59
OPTION 3 (via Ely/Cambridge North bus)
Norwich 12:28 - 13:25 Ely
Ely 13:35 - 14:05 Cambridge North (BUS)
Cambridge North 14:31 - 15:32 Kings Cross
FARES: Off-Peak £45.40 (split at Cambridge - ** CHEAPEST FLEXIBLE OPTION)
DURATION: 3h04 (BUS 30m)
OPTION 4 (via Witham/Billericay bus)
Norwich 12:00 - 13:18 Witham
Witham 13:23 - 14:11 Billericay (BUS)
Billericay 14:20 - 14:52 Liverpool Street
FARES: Off-Peak £68, Advance £30.50
DURATION: 2h52 (BUS 48m)
Some questions for anyone who knows these routes better than me:
1) How busy does (Ipswich - ) Stowmarket - Cambridge get when the direct GEML route is replaced with buses? Is this a route to avoid if possible?
2) Why aren't itineraries offered for direct Norwich-Peterborough trains on 1st April? Is this route expected to be very busy?
I'm looking to make this journey on Easter Monday (1st April). I'd prefer to use an off-peak ticket as I don't know which time I'll be able to travel. I'd like to avoid any routes which are likely to be very busy if possible. Looking at the timetables, taking ~12:00 departure from Norwich as an example, I appear to have 4x options:
OPTION 1 (via Peterborough)
Norwich 11:56 - 13:22 Peterborough
Peterborough 13:30 - 14:23 Kings Cross
FARES: n/a? (problem booking Norwich - Peterborough), Off-Peak should be £59 (split at Peterborough)
DURATION: 2h27 (** FASTEST OPTION)
OPTION 2 (via Stowmarket/Cambridge)
Norwich 12:00 - 12:28 Stowmarket
Stowmarket 12:35 - 13:41 Cambridge
Cambridge 13:53 - 14:59 St Pancras
FARES: Off-Peak £45.40 (split at Cambridge - ** CHEAPEST FLEXIBLE OPTION)
DURATION: 2h59
OPTION 3 (via Ely/Cambridge North bus)
Norwich 12:28 - 13:25 Ely
Ely 13:35 - 14:05 Cambridge North (BUS)
Cambridge North 14:31 - 15:32 Kings Cross
FARES: Off-Peak £45.40 (split at Cambridge - ** CHEAPEST FLEXIBLE OPTION)
DURATION: 3h04 (BUS 30m)
OPTION 4 (via Witham/Billericay bus)
Norwich 12:00 - 13:18 Witham
Witham 13:23 - 14:11 Billericay (BUS)
Billericay 14:20 - 14:52 Liverpool Street
FARES: Off-Peak £68, Advance £30.50
DURATION: 2h52 (BUS 48m)
Some questions for anyone who knows these routes better than me:
1) How busy does (Ipswich - ) Stowmarket - Cambridge get when the direct GEML route is replaced with buses? Is this a route to avoid if possible?
2) Why aren't itineraries offered for direct Norwich-Peterborough trains on 1st April? Is this route expected to be very busy?