Glasgow to Oban (&vv) Advances/Reservations Impossible start of July

I would be really grateful of some help with this one please guys. I am needing to travel to Oban arriving there no later then 14:00 on 8 July. Returning any time after 10:00 on 14 July.

Living in Formby I am happy to start my journey here, Liverpool, Southport or Preston (can be quicker to get direct bus to Preston and get train from there). I understand getting to Oban 14:00 may be tight so may need to travel night before.

My arrival time is critical. I have been looking at through tickets from Formby, Liverpool and Preston in both directions and I am not getting any advances, just Anytime Single or Return. I have tried looked for Advances between Glasgow and Oban and I am getting nothing whatsoever. It appears Scotrail have placed a block on advances on this route and that is meaning VT & Connections tickets are not being offered either.

I have also tried dates surrounding my arrival and departure dates with a view of staying in Oben and/or Glasgow but still the same result.

I have a disabled person's railcard. Any advise?

Suggest you buy tickets to Glasgow separately where there are some good advance tickets available from Preston. Then a return to Oban from Glasgow will be around £18 on top. You realistically have to travel up the night before to get the train arriving at Oban at around 1100. The next one arrives at around 1340 which is too tight for you.

Brissle Girl said:

Suggest you buy tickets to Glasgow separately where there are some good advance tickets available from Preston. Then a return to Oban from Glasgow will be around £18 on top. You realistically have to travel up the night before to get the train arriving at Oban at around 1100. The next one arrives at around 1340 which is too tight for you.

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Sadly it looks like I am going to get hit with a Glasgow to Oban Anytime Return at £29.10 or an Off Peak Return at £26.40

How far beyond Glasgow can you get before breaking your journey? The SVR from Helensburgh is £20.80.

I would certainly like to spend a night in Oban either the night before I need to be there or the night I get back. Also, I have never been to Glasgow so its a chance to too that too.

The Scottish school summer holidays would have started so Advance tickets may have sold out some time back. I bought some Glasgow - Oban Advances for the last weekend in July , this was many weeks ago as soon as they were released, even then there was extremely limited availability.