Glasgow Central [GLC]-Manchester Pic [MAN]-Cardiff [CDF]-Brighton [BTN]-Glasgow

[trei2k]

A friend has asked me a ticketing question and I have no idea, so I was wondering if you are able to help please?

He wishes to do the following journeys.

GLC-MAN (24th Aug)
MAN-CDF (27th Aug)
CDF-BTN (30th Aug)

and to return from BTN to GLC "within the week" (after the 30th of Aug) with the possibility of a break in London on the way home.

He doesn't hold any railcards and for the moment his first question is, can this be done on one ticket? If not, what is the most sensible ticketing approach to take for him to achieve the above?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[calc7]

As the outbound portion of an Anytime Return is only valid for 5 days: no (unless you include Rovers or seasons).

An Anytime Return would be bad value and extremely expensive, and very unlikely to be valid via CDF.

I imagine a combination of Off-Peak Returns (and perhaps Advances if he knows some of his trains) will work out optimal - someone will be along shortly to advise.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

If anyone's confused - GLC is Glasgow Ctl; MAN is Mancr Picc; CDF is Cardiff Ctl and BTN is Brighton.

 

[philjo]

Are there any suitable advance singles for the journeys - obviously you are then restricted to using the specific trains named on the reservations.

What time does your friend need to travel? An off-peak return Glasgow to Manchester would cover the northern leg in both directions assuming the departure from Glasgow is off-peak. I can't access the fares details at the moment.

If possible go for an advance single for manchester to cardiff (direct service) as these tend to be good value on that route.
The only issue is that it is the bank holiday weekend in England & Wales so a lot of the advance fares are likely to have already gone.

 

[steamybrian]

If anyone's confused - GLC is Glasgow Ctl; MAN is Mancr Picc; CDF is Cardiff Ctl and BTN is Brighton.

I do not like readers just using these three letter codes for stations. :roll:
When I was working on BR we used TWO letter codes and here are some examples which as a clue are stations on the Southern Region-
XV
OD
IG
TB
AD

 

[bb21]

I do not like readers just using these three letter codes for stations. :roll:

I would echo this and request that the OP familiarise himself/herself with our forum rules.

I have altered the title in this case.

With outward travel dates so far apart from each other, the only logical way to do this is to purchase separate tickets. Anytime Returns for flows useful to this itinerary are sadly all overpriced.

I would go with Advances if they are available.

Using walk-on tickets, an example is to buy all these below:

Glasgow Cen/Qst - Manchester Stns
Route Via Carlisle
Off-Peak Return
£71.10

with a Change of Route Excess to Route Via York on the return portion
£13.25

Manchester Stns - Cardiff Central
Route Any Permitted
Anytime Day Single
£61.40

Cardiff Central - Brighton
Route Via Salisbury
Anytime Day Single
£58.50

Brighton - London St Pancras
Route Not Underground
Off-Peak Day Single
£15.40

London Terminals - York
Route Any Permitted
Super Off-Peak Single
£46.55
(This ticket must be purchased from www.eastcoast.co.uk)

You can then use the excessed return portion for the first ticket on the way back from York to Glasgow. Your train back from London must call at York.