PAD to BRI. Where to split?

[EM2]

Planning a trip to see a friend in Bristol in mid-January, almost certainly on a Saturday (although Sunday is also possible). There's some decent Advance fares available, but just wondering if I might get better value splitting, as I have an Annual Gold Card?
I looked at RDG and there's *some* savings of a few quid (Off-Peak Day Return with AGC discount, then AP to BRI) but am I better to split somewhere else?

 

[yorkie]

My standard advice:

"Splitting" the journey into a combination of tickets may work. Use a WebTIS website (e.g. EC, LM etc) and click the info (i) button next to the itinerary you want, then tick 'show all calling points', this shows the places where you could "split" the journey into a combination of tickets (note the train must call on the return journey too).

In this case there are not many stations to choose from: (Slough), Reading, (Didcot Parkway), Swindon, Bath.

If you want to return the same day day, then Day Return tickets are suitable for you.

As you have a Network Railcard, then it makes sense to split at the boundary station, Didcot Parkway.

For example London Terminals to Didcot Parkway with NSE Railcard is £14.20 CDR, Didcot Parkway to Bristol is £19.90 CDR. This isn't necessarily the cheapest, though based on previous topics, it probably isn't cheaper to split elsewhere, but you can check.

Travelling at "peak" times (which varies by route and ticket held) can be reduced by purchasing tickets with more favourable restrictions and either splitting and/or starting/finishing short, however that does not apply for travel on a Saturday/Sunday.

Not all trains call at Didcot Parkway, the train needs to call there.

CDR = Off Peak Day Return (formerly Cheap Day Return)

 

[All Line Rover]

You will not beat £10 Advance fares (plenty of which are available in mid-January) using split-ticketing on this route. It is almost impossible to save money using split-ticketing compared to Advance fares on InterCity routes (bar XC).

You may be able to save a few pounds using some wacky over-distance tickets (thanks to the Routeing Guide), but it really isn't worth the trouble or risk.

 

[wintonian]

Just a quick look.

SVR Bedwyn to Bristol £22
SVR London Terminals to Bedwyyn £19.80

£43.80

SSR London to Bristol £48.80

and see if you can replace one part with an AP if you wish.

 

[LexyBoy]

What does your Gold Card cover? If it covers any of the route then you needn't buy a ticket for that portion (obviously) and don't need to take trains stopping at the split stations.

Just a quick look.

SVR Bedwyn to Bristol £22
SVR London Terminals to Bedwyyn £19.80

£43.80

SSR London to Bristol £48.80

and see if you can replace one part with an AP if you wish.

Is Bedwyn to Bristol valid via Reading? If not- as I suspect- then it's a bit of a sound about route.

 

[wintonian]

What does your Gold Card cover? If it covers any of the route then you needn't buy a ticket for that portion (obviously) and don't need to take trains stopping at the split stations.



Is Bedwyn to Bristol valid via Reading? If not- as I suspect- then it's a bit of a sound about route.

Change at Westbury a bit slower but only one change, maybe 2 to stop at Bedwyn?

I didn't read the OP correctly and assumed they were comming back a diffrent day so it isn't really relevant now, however:

Thames Branches Day Ranger to reading £10.90
Reading to Didcot Parkway £3.50 CDR
Didcot Parkway to Bristol £19.90 CDR
Total £34.30

 

[Mojo]

Shirehampton to London. Slower but cheaper.

 

[wintonian]

Shirehampton to London. Slower but cheaper.

via Salisbury, cheaper? the SVR is £39.00.

 

[Mojo]

via Salisbury, cheaper? the SVR is £39.00.

Yes. Route Warminster-Salisbury CDR is £29.50, as the OP is returning same day.

 

[wintonian]

Yes. Route Warminster-Salisbury CDR is £29.50, as the OP is returning same day.

Yes sorry for some reason on Avantix there is a big gap between the SVR and CDR meaning you have to scroll down - obviously I missed it.

 

[EM2]

Thanks for the advice so far, and I did forget to say that I would be returning the same day. Looking at the 14th or 15th, best without splitting so far is 2 APs at £27.50 total..
Will have a look at splitting at DID or SWI.
But having said all that, petrol might be cheaper

 

[bnm]

Am I missing something here? What is the start station and where does Bedwyn come into it?

 

[wintonian]

The trip is Paddington to Bristol and Bedwyn is on the edge of the network area so can be useful for splitting with a gold card.

 

[bnm]

Aha, in that case for a walk up ticket I'd suggest Paddington to Reading CDR with Network Gold Card £10.55 plus Cholsey* to Bristol TM CDR £19.80

Total £30.35. Although as others have said, if your plans are fixed and you are happy to be tied to specific trains then 2x Advance Purchase may work out cheaper.

*Valid via Reading due to Routeing Guide Easement. Effectively start/end short at Reading on this ticket. Proof of the easement may be worth carrying to prevent problems onboard. And may be worth changing at Reading also - that's what I do, rarely have to wait more than 15 minutes toward Bristol or 10 minutes toward London. All depends how much you value cost over convenience. Cost wins every time for me!

If you don't want to use the Easement and are happy tied to Didcot calling services then PAD-DID CDR with Network Gold Card £14.20 plus DID-BRI CDR £19.80. Total £34.00

 

[yorkie]

Yes, there is an easement for "Customers travelling from Cholsey via Didcot Parkway in possession of tickets routed 'Any Permitted' may travel via Reading", however if the customer remained on the same train from London to Bristol, then that gives it away that, in fact, the customer isn't travelling from Cholsey.

 

[bnm]

Yes, there is an easement for "Customers travelling from Cholsey via Didcot Parkway in possession of tickets routed 'Any Permitted' may travel via Reading", however if the customer remained on the same train from London to Bristol, then that gives it away that, in fact, the customer isn't travelling from Cholsey.

Good point. I've edited my post with further advice.

 

[34D]

Not all trains call at Didcot Parkway, the train needs to call there.

Depends what route his gold card is valid for. If it covers london zone 1, or paddington-acton, or reading-twyford etc etc, his train doesn't need to call at Didcot.

 

[EM2]

Also forgot to mention, the season is a Z1-3 Annual Travelcard

 

[LexyBoy]

In that case start off with a ticket from Boundary Zone 3 and you'll save a pound or two and more importantly be able to travel on trains which don't stop at your split point(s).

Personally, I'd go for BZ3-Didcot with NSE discount and Didcot-Bristol: a decent saving and unlikely to ruffle any feathers.

 

[island]

That's valid on a train that doesn't call at Didcot Parkway, but is liable to kick up a fuss nonetheless.