Manchester - Shanklin

[telstarbox]

A Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) - Shanklin (SHN) off-peak return (SVR) route NOT VIA LONDON is £87.50 with Railcard discount. Is there any way of splitting this down to make it cheaper? Is it best to split to avoid flows priced by XC?

So far I've tried various splits and the only cheaper one is at Reading:

MAN - RDG £46.55 (SVR)
RDG - SHN £39.55 (SVR)
Total £86.10.

Thanks for any help. (Advances are no good in this case.)

 

[calc7]

Are you desperate to avoid London?
Are you wanting an "open" ticket?

 

[telstarbox]

Happy to go via London if it's cheaper. We're after an open ticket but off-peak is fine rather than anytime.

 

[calc7]

Happy to go via London if it's cheaper. We're after an open ticket but off-peak is fine rather than anytime.

I'm sure you've already worked out the the +via London ticket is cheaper at £85.00 (yes, apparently travelling on a XC 220 commands a premium!)

Sadly I've failed at finding any further splitting points!

 

[telstarbox]

I'm sure you've already worked out the the +via London ticket is cheaper at £85.00 (yes, apparently travelling on a XC 220 commands a premium!)

Sadly I've failed at finding any further splitting points!

As it's only a few quid cheaper I thought XC might be better as it minimises changes and we've got lots to carry (going to Bestival on IOW). More likely to get a seat on VT + SWT though!

 

[calc7]

As it's only a few quid cheaper I thought XC might be better as it minimises changes and we've got lots to carry (going to Bestival on IOW). More likely to get a seat on VT + SWT though!

Well, going out, as the XC starts at Manchester you shouldn't have trouble getting seats.

If you're travelling at a quiet time, you may wish to look into splitting at London and using Virgin's website to book a cheap Advance one way with a half-price Off-Peak Single in the other direction.

 

[telstarbox]

Thanks - I'll look into it.

More generally, are Advances not available to stations on the Isle of Wight because of something to do with the ferry?

 

[Birdbrain]

You can get them to the Island but i'ts hit and miss. Sometimes advances are only availble to certain stations. For example if the Shanklin quota has sold out, try Lake or Sandown. Not sure about Manchester but i have brought Kings Norton - Shanklin advance before.