Cheap, long journey from Lancaster/Carnforth

underbank · 6 Mar 2018

Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I used to like doing the Lancaster<>Euston trip, just for a day out really, but I had to stop because it was just too expensive. I've been trying to look online at ticket prices and journey options for "long" day trips, either by time or distance, not too bothered about the destination. I'm seeing relatively short trips which are expensive, or relatively long trips which are cheap, but pretty inconvenient (number of changes, timings etc) - it all seems very inconsistent and I'm spending hours changing options on the ticketing websites and just not getting anywhere. Anyone got any suggestions? I'm happy to change trains once or twice en route. Like I say, not bothered about the destination as I'd usually just wander around for an hour killing time until the return train - I'm more just looking for something to fill the day with a bit of interest out of the windows.

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Bletchleyite · 6 Mar 2018

Scotland on the TPEs can offer very keenly priced Advances. Or do the "loop" round the Coast and back down the WCML, I think there's some sort of Day Ranger/Round Robin type ticket for it.

Starmill · 6 Mar 2018

A Cumbria Day Ranger at £44.50 may suit your purpose. Its valid between Preston and Carlisle via the mainline and the coast, and also between Carlisle and Skipton via Settle, plus the Bentham line

BlueFox · 6 Mar 2018

If you can get hold of the tokens, the Northern £10 day ranger offer is still on (until 25/3). You could do a trip round the Cumbrian coast and S&C line.

janb · 6 Mar 2018

Bletchleyite said:
Scotland on the TPEs can offer very keenly priced Advances.

Virgin to Glasgow usually cheap as well. Glasgow and Edinburgh also have Off Peak Day Return options from Lancaster ranging from £30-£40 depending on operator.

cuccir · 6 Mar 2018

Beyond looking at Advances, think about a few other day ranger tickets: The Lancashire Day Ranger, North-West Round Robin both have options directly from Carnforth; or you could get Advances to locations where other rangers start, such as the South Pennines.

Mcr Warrior · 6 Mar 2018

Off-Peak Day Return Lancaster to Edinburgh at £39.40. Up to Carlisle, then Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Glasgow and over to Edinburgh, perhaps via Airdrie. Return direct from Edinburgh -> Lancaster.

xotGD · 6 Mar 2018

BlueFox said:
If you can get hold of the tokens, the Northern £10 day ranger offer is still on (until 25/3). You could do a trip round the Cumbrian coast and S&C line.

That ticket would also take you as far as Nottingham with just a change at Leeds.

The Lad · 6 Mar 2018

Or Lincoln/Hull/Scarborough

underbank · 7 Mar 2018

Thanks all, some good advice there. I think I'll wait for newer trains for the Cumbria coast and Settle/Carlisle route as I don't fancy too long sat on a pacer/sprinter, but the Scotland ideas sound good as do the Eastern options.

philthetube · 8 Mar 2018

The Cumbria round robin is good value at £31 for a round trip up the Cumbria coast and back down the main line, or the other way round, also through ticketing is, (was) available from Lancaster on to the Ratty to Eskdale, and that is a great day out, I am sure someone can help you further with that one.

mikeg · 8 Mar 2018

underbank said:
Thanks all, some good advice there. I think I'll wait for newer trains for the Cumbria coast and Settle/Carlisle route as I don't fancy too long sat on a pacer/sprinter, but the Scotland ideas sound good as do the Eastern options.

Why wait for newer trains? What's wrong with older trains? My brother managed to get a 37 hauled mk2 from Lancaster to Carnforth not too long ago, though most of them only go from Barrow to Carlisle iirc. Do it while you still can! They're very nice trains!
Also last time I was on the S&C it was a 158 'Express Sprinter', which is altogether more comfortable than a normal sprinter.

randyrippley · 8 Mar 2018

I use the Lakes Day Ranger - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr569e360a04000400e942d9601c4cf1.aspx
Get it at Morecambe, Carnforth or Lancaster, train to Grange-over-Sands, Stagecoach bus to Haverthwaite, discounted single to Lakeside on steam train, steamer across the lake to either Bowness or Ambleside, then another bus to Windermere station (maybe on the open topper), train back to Lancaster (or 555 bus to Carnforth/Lancaster).
Not a long distance, but its a good day with plenty of pub options
costs £23.80, there are child and family options as well

Same ticket will get you round to Ravenglass, and a discount on the Ratty

Just thinking about it, it must be possible to do a larger circle using bus between Bowness and Penrith via Ullswater, taking in the steamers there as well

randyrippley · 8 Mar 2018

Or if you only want train, day return to Leeds. Out via Carnforth, return via Blackburn, change at Preston
Spectacular scenery both ways
Or day return to Keighly combined with a ride on the Keighly and Worth Valley

djpontrack · 9 Mar 2018

randyrippley said:
I use the Lakes Day Ranger - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr569e360a04000400e942d9601c4cf1.aspx
Get it at Morecambe, Carnforth or Lancaster, train to Grange-over-Sands, Stagecoach bus to Haverthwaite, discounted single to Lakeside on steam train, steamer across the lake to either Bowness or Ambleside, then another bus to Windermere station (maybe on the open topper), train back to Lancaster (or 555 bus to Carnforth/Lancaster).
Not a long distance, but its a good day with plenty of pub options
costs £23.80, there are child and family options as well

Same ticket will get you round to Ravenglass, and a discount on the Ratty

Just thinking about it, it must be possible to do a larger circle using bus between Bowness and Penrith via Ullswater, taking in the steamers there as well

The Lakes Day Ranger is an excellent ticket. If the Northern Day Rangers are not available, I like to get one of these. It also has the added bonus of no time restrictions.

Cheap, long journey from Lancaster/Carnforth

underbank

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Bletchleyite

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Starmill

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BlueFox

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janb

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cuccir

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Mcr Warrior

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xotGD

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The Lad

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underbank

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philthetube

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mikeg

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randyrippley

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