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All Line Rover

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ACE1888

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Thinking of doing this possibly next summer time, but haven't a clue where to start, any help etc would be appreciated (best deals etc). Would be standard class of course ;)
 
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ainsworth74

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Well you home station might be a good starting point ;):lol:

For more helpful advice perhaps think about what you want to do, perhaps scratch off track you've not done yet or maybe take in some of the more scenic lines (WHL, S&C and such like) for example.
 

ACE1888

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Penzance, the 'end of the line' ..literally...is my starting point, but the point I'm endeavouring to make is where on the T'net do I find the deals/prices...FGW website?? Or elsewhere???
 

Urban Gateline

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Details of the All Line Rover are available here and if you click on the "Fares" bit it shows the price. This is for the 14 day one, there's also the 7 day ALR

Edit: Looks like ainsworth beat me to it!
 

Techniquest

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I'd highly recommend doing an ALR, as can be guessed by my signature text of the moment. Can't be bothered changing it!

As for where to start, well starting to think about where you want to go and what time (crucial for some TOCs, as with some stations and TOCs you can't depart/leave before 1000, check the list on the relevant page linked to in previous posts on this thread. Penzance, Paddington and FGW are currently fine for any time travel though), and what you want to do. Sightseeing? Mileage? Motive power bashing? Visiting family/friends? Going to galas?

One thing to do though is plan for any sleeper moves in advance, as you can't just turn up and go on Scottish sleepers these days. Booking on the FGW ones would be recommended too, they're usually very busy on the seats even in the middle of the week.

Welcome to the club, by the way :)
 

TUC

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Can anyone clarify whether First Class All Line Rovers include access to first class lounges? My understanding is that they give the same rights generally as holders of first class tickets for the relevant line but I have not seen any reference to them in any TOC's list of tickets that give access to lounges.
 

ushawk

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Ive made a plan for a 7-day ALR this year. For mine im starting from my home station, going on a sleeper for 1 night, then back home, then to Holyhead and stay in a hotel, then back home, then up to Scotland and then back down south on the sleeper, then staying in a hotel in Leeds, then back home. Can post my plan for ideas of where to go if you like.
 

IanXC

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The crazy thing is that, since I did my ALR (7 day) last year I have realised that there are loads of routes and types of stock that I didnt make it onto! I'm thinking I should have a more ambitious plan this year!!
 

All Line Rover

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Can anyone clarify whether First Class All Line Rovers include access to first class lounges? My understanding is that they give the same rights generally as holders of first class tickets for the relevant line but I have not seen any reference to them in any TOC's list of tickets that give access to lounges.

They are treated as First Anytime tickets, so yes, they include access to ALL First Class lounges.

 

LexyBoy

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The price will be the same whenever and wherever you buy your ALR, so for the best "value" you'll need to work out how to get the most travel as possible out of it!

As you're coming from Penzance, I'd imagine that you'll not be staying the night at home much (if at all) as you'd be using a lot of each day travelling the same route. Thus you'll want to look for cheap deals on city/town centre hotels I would think.

I'd also consider beginning or ending your trip by getting a cheap Advance on the sleeper to or from London, which will allow you to begin travelling from London at the crack of dawn (or alternatively arrive in London late on the last day and travel back).
 

Statto

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Just an idea, how about doing the most Northerly[Thurso], Westerly[Arisaig which is on the West Highland line], Southerly[Penzance], Easterly[not sure if its Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth], stations in Mainland UK,
 

Techniquest

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Easterly[not sure if its Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth], stations in Mainland UK,

Just to confirm that the most easterly station is Lowestoft. Confirmed by a plague on the station, as seen here:

DSCN2518.jpg
 

Yew

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How does the price of sleeper supplements compare to hotels. might be a way to rack up more mileage, and to save a little money
 

ChrisTheRef

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Not 100% sure, but I think if your ALR expires on MON 9 JAN, you can board the sleeper that night and arrive in Penzance on Tuesday morning
 

ushawk

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How does the price of sleeper supplements compare to hotels. might be a way to rack up more mileage, and to save a little money

A solo berth on the FGW Sleeper is £45, which is good value compared to a hotel and obviously allows you to continue a journey from a different location in the morning.
 

LexyBoy

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A couple of large whiskeys and a nap in the reclining seats of the seated carriage would be cheaper still ;)
 

CaptainHaddock

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A solo berth on the FGW Sleeper is £45, which is good value compared to a hotel and obviously allows you to continue a journey from a different location in the morning.

Travelodge have an ongoing rooms from £19 promo, which you're generally more likely to find on quiet weeknights and many of their hotels are very close to stations. It's basic accommodation obviously but if all you want is a bed for the night they're ideal.

http://www2.travelodge.co.uk/saver_rooms/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Don't forget Scotrail's Bargain Berths either.

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/caledonian-sleeper-bargain-berths
 

34D

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One thing to do though is plan for any sleeper moves in advance, as you can't just turn up and go on Scottish sleepers these days. Booking on the FGW ones would be recommended too, they're usually very busy on the seats even in the middle of the week.

Just to clarify this, you can in theory turn up and pay the excess (on either sleeper) however there may not be room - I think this is what techniquest was trying to say
 

furgus2

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A solo berth on the FGW Sleeper is £45, which is good value compared to a hotel and obviously allows you to continue a journey from a different location in the morning.

I've just paid a FGW Sleeper berth supplement and the cost is now £50
 

mralexn

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The main thing i would say is KEY for doing an ALR is to Plan everything in Advance, like literally write out

Day 1
05:20 PLY - EDB etc, and always allow alternative plans and keep lots of (slack) time just incase anything does go wrong,

I would fully recommend a night Inverness, Stay at the Mercure Hotel (opposite the train station) (used to be called Ramada Jarvis)
If you get the Highland Cheiftain up to Inverness from London or Edinburgh later on in the day, then you get into Inverness around 8pm, you can spend a nice evening / night there, and then the next day go and clear either the Kyle Line, or the Far north line, both are fully recommended :) and remember First Class north of Inverness is De-classified so.. Bonus :)

I would say to, if your going to do an ALR, plan your trips, then look and see how much it would cost you in ADV, you never know it could work out cheaper! especially if you want to do selected (long legs) of it in 1st class :P

Last bit of advice, Wait a few months until the clocks go Forward and it doesn't get dark until half 8!

No fun going through the beautiful highlands of scotland on a HST only not being able to see a thing.

Anyway, i hope this advice helps :)

I would also, (if your looking for an overnight bash) would fully recommend doing, The Caledonian Sleeper from Euston up to Fort William, Arrive into Fort William at 09:54 there is a Coach to Inverness From Fort William at 10:30 or 12:15 if you wanted to spend more time there, The coach trip costs about £2 when booked in advance and goes through some very beautiful places,

The journey takes around 1 hour and 45 mins to get to Inverness, then i would recommend getting the 1453 to Perth, spending an hour and a half in Perth, and getting the Highland Chieftain back up to inverness :)
 

bkhtele

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Dream Sail Rail?
Dept Fri evening, Penzance 21.45 sleeper to London, tfr to Euston Dept Sat 0850, Holyhead Irish Ferry 14.10, Dept Dublin Enterprise to Belfast Central arr 2115. Penzance to Belfast Sail rail walk on £54 Dept unlimited Sunday train travel all day Sunday £6
Dept Monday Belfast port to Cairnryan, bus Ayr, train Glasgow. tfr Glasgow Queen street to Inverness Rail Sail £38 arrive 1704a Extra advance Inverness to Aberdeen Dept 21.20 arr 2239 cost approx £8.20Dept
Tues Rail sail to Belfast £38 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen St. Take different route to Cairnryan. Glasgow to Stranraer via Kilmarnock (taxi Stranraer to Cairnryan £13) Very scenic Girvan to Stranraer. Dept Wed Belfast £54 Rail Sail central to Penzance (walk on) Dublin Stena. Stay at Holyhead Travel lodge near station. Overnight stop allowed. Dept Thur Holyhead to Penzance via Birmingham and Bristol to Penzance
Total cost £211.20 includes 4 ferry journeys and lots of train miles! Is this better value than all line rover? Worth a try, tickets from your local rail station.
 

Techniquest

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Just to clarify this, you can in theory turn up and pay the excess (on either sleeper) however there may not be room - I think this is what techniquest was trying to say

I believe that is correct. You probably could turn up and join the sleeper at short notice at, say, Rannoch, but if the train is already fully booked you can be turned away. Not something you want really if you're on a tight plan or whatever.

I'd rather book up the sleeper parts of the journey in plenty of time and know that sort of thing won't happen.
 
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