Avanti vs West Midlands Trains (LNR brand) Standard Class

[Joseph T]

I'm planning an all-day trip from London to Birmingham International on the 25th this month.

For the early morning outward journey, I'll depart from Norbiton at 0706, arrive at Clapham Jn at 0724, catch Southern for Watford Junction at 0740, and arrive at 0822. From there I have the options of LNR or Avanti with a price difference of ~£8 (or I could carry on to Vauxhall, take the Vic to Euston, and catch the Avanti service from there at 0816 to save 29p). I wish to arrive no later than 1100.

Which of the two is better for the trip in terms of comfort and other factors?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would go for the option via London. The service via Kensington Olympia is not known for its reliability. The only reason to use it is when it's vastly cheaper as it sometimes is.

 

[yorkie]

You can get to BHI for 1033 with West Midlands Trains for £14

Or for £25.53 you can be there for 0936 with Avanti (taking the Victoria line from Victoria to Euston).



If your arrival time is crucial (and you don't want to depart super early), go with Avanti; if money is tight, take WMT.

I'd take Avanti if it was me.

 

[Joseph T]

You can get to BHI for 1033 with West Midlands Trains for £14

I assume that's a single trip from Watford Jn w/o railcard?

 

[yorkie]

I assume that's a single trip from Watford Jn w/o railcard?

No, from Norbiton without a Railcard. If you have a Railcard, it's only £7.61 extra on Avanti, so I would go with that:

 

[Joseph T]

I would go for the option via London. The service via Kensington Olympia is not known for its reliability. The only reason to use it is when it's vastly cheaper as it sometimes is.

My only option for the return journey from the forum's ticket site is via the WLL. What kinds of problems happen on that route, and any advice I may need?

 

[yorkie]

My only option for the return is via the WLL. What kinds of problems happen on that route, and any advice I may need?

If delays or cancellations occur on the day, post here to seek advice.

I do advise booking a through itinerary for the entire journey from Norbiton as this makes any delay repay claims easier (the number of tickets doesn't matter but having the through itinerary helps)

 

[Joseph T]

I do advise booking a through itinerary for the entire journey from Norbiton as this makes any delay repay claims easier (the number of tickets doesn't matter but having the through itinerary helps)

How do I do that?

 

[yorkie]

How do I do that?

Just put in the origin of where you are going from i.e. Norbiton and the destination of where you are going to i.e. Birmingham Intl.

I'm not suggesting you do anything special; just search for the actual journey you are making.

The reason I say this is that your original post referred to just a part of your journey, and I think it is wise to book for the full journey, not just part of it.

Or click this link:

Norbiton > Birmingham International - Search Results

The Split Ticketing Champions - Compare fares and get the best value for money through split tickets and booking cheap train tickets online and on our mobile app, E-Tickets to your phone, no booking fee, save up to 90%

tickets.railforums.co.uk

(Note: it may be better to do the search as a return, rather than a single; also remove the Railcard if you don't have one, or amend the type if applicable)

 

[Joseph T]

Just put in the origin of where you are going from i.e. Norbiton and the destination of where you are going to i.e. Birmingham Intl.

I'm not suggesting you do anything special; just search for the actual journey you are making.

The reason I say this is that your original post referred to just a part of your journey, and I think it is wise to book for the full journey, not just part of it.

Or click this link:

Norbiton > Birmingham International - Search Results

The Split Ticketing Champions - Compare fares and get the best value for money through split tickets and booking cheap train tickets online and on our mobile app, E-Tickets to your phone, no booking fee, save up to 90%

tickets.railforums.co.uk

(Note: it may be better to do the search as a return, rather than a single; also remove the Railcard if you don't have one, or amend the type if applicable)

Ah, I was already doing that. Thx.

 

[Joseph T]

Just put in the origin of where you are going from i.e. Norbiton and the destination of where you are going to i.e. Birmingham Intl.

I'm not suggesting you do anything special; just search for the actual journey you are making.

The reason I say this is that your original post referred to just a part of your journey, and I think it is wise to book for the full journey, not just part of it.

Or click this link:

Norbiton > Birmingham International - Search Results

The Split Ticketing Champions - Compare fares and get the best value for money through split tickets and booking cheap train tickets online and on our mobile app, E-Tickets to your phone, no booking fee, save up to 90%

tickets.railforums.co.uk

(Note: it may be better to do the search as a return, rather than a single; also remove the Railcard if you don't have one, or amend the type if applicable)

Update: For some reason, E-tickets are unavailable for my route via Euston. How come?

 

[yorkie]

Update: For some reason, E-tickets are unavailable for my route via Euston. How come?

TfL don't allow them to be issued for cross-London itineraries, yet.

tfl e tickets railforums site:www.railforums.co.uk - Google Search

E-Tickets availability?

Curious... is that massive hurdle on the horizon hinted at in the excerpt from the Tickeing & Revenue Update (TRU149) quoted upthread by Edvid? Not in the excerpt but it is the project mentioned

www.railforums.co.uk