Manchester - Norwich First Class routing suggestions?

[simonjwt]

4 of us are planning a long weekend in Norwich. One of whom prefers to travel first class and will pay the premium, 2 who will go First for a bargain fare and one who does not care so much.

Other than going Virgin to Euston, visiting a pub or two on the way over to Liverpool Street and then out to Norwich, is there any other reasonable (one change/total journey not much longer than 5.5 hours) way to travel first class between the 2 cities?

Cheers!

 

[Nym]

Fly??

 

[NSE]

Not really, you can go direct on the EMT but that's a two car DMU, if it does have first class it's not worth the money. You could try advance fare to Leeds and go First Class on EC which might be worth it (people on here rate it highly) then change at Peterborough. But again the remainder of the journey isn't much in first class.

So to get it all first class, Virgin's is excellent personally, so I'd go London myself.

 

[jha4ceb]

Not really, you can go direct on the EMT but that's a two car DMU, if it does have first class it's not worth the money.

No First Class on EMT 158s if I remember correctly.

It's worth noting also that NXEA's First Class offering (for the Liv St-Norwich section) is pretty poor.

 

[LexyBoy]

Virgin's your best bet for cheap First Class; their Pendolinos have masses of it so there are often plenty of First Advance fares for not much more (sometimes less) than the equivalent Standard.

 

[stut]

Indeed, the EMT 158s don't have 1st, but are pretty comfy (particularly if the 4 of you get a table).

In addition to the options above, you could do Norwich - Peterborough - Doncaster - Manchester. First Class on EC is decent, and can be quite good on TP. However, it's the scenery between Sheffield and New Mills that makes that route worthwhile.

 

[simonjwt]

Nym! How can you suggest that on this site?!?!? Having said that, the fares ARE competitive, timings a little less so (early morning or rush hour evening)

We are aware of the EMT's offering (or lack thereof). Price is good, journey time as good as can be and I personally feel four of us around a table will survive in relative comfort.

I figured the only real alternative was a Leeds/Sheffield/Doncaster change to EC and again at Peterborough

Thank you all for the input

Ta

 

[AlterEgo]

I can recommend Norwich - London - Manchester. Norwich to London in First is nowt special, but the fares are low. Pendolinos from London to Manchester with Virgin are pretty spacious (some will disagree!) and you will get an at-seat service. It will not be as fast, but it will be comfortable.

Oh, and Virgin's First Class Seat Sale is on NOW.

 

[bb21]

Pendolinos from London to Manchester with Virgin are pretty spacious (some will disagree!) and you will get an at-seat service. It will not be as fast, but it will be comfortable.

Just try not to sit in Coach K around the table if you believe what some people say on here.