Cardiff-Chester First Class ATW WAG2

[andypops]

Dear all,

I would like some help finding a ticket price. It's not displayed on National Rail website, or TVM at the startin station (or if it is I can't find it!).

I intend to travel from Cathays to Hooton on Friday 5th October. I am considering making the outward journey on WAG2 (1821 Cardiff --> Holyhead, via Chester).

I am using a 16-25 railcard. I do not wish to purchase an advance single or return because whilst I am fixed with the outbound, I wish to have flexibility for my return. I would prefer to buy an off-peak return.

I would like to know how much it would be to upgrade to first class between Cardiff Central and Chester - as this is always offered on the train by the conductor. I would also like to ask, is there a difference in price to buying beforehand vs buying on the train? Also, is it cheaper to buy separate tickets for the journey Cardiff-->Chester, and buy connection tickets separately?

Finally, if the ticket is excessed to FC, this won't affect the return journey? I am happy to make this in standard class.

My apologies for all these rookie questions, and thanks in advance for you help.

All the best,


Andy

 

[LexyBoy]

The upgrade seems to be £24.75 with Y-P discount. It's a seperate ticket (albeit not valid for travel on its own) rather than an excess so your original ticket is unaffected.

The 1st Anytime Day Single for Cathays-Hooton is £52.60 and Anytime Return £105.20 (no Off Peak and no Y-P discount available), so an Off Peak Return with upgrade is a good call.

 

[kieron]

Also, is it cheaper to buy separate tickets for the journey Cardiff-->Chester, and buy connection tickets separately?

Just on this point; it isn't cheaper to buy the Merseyrail ticket separately as (a) they only offer day returns between those stations, and (b) they're more expensive anyway.

Something like (say) Cathays-Shrewsbury and Shrewsbury-Hooton would be a bit cheaper, though. You'd have to return via Shrewsbury, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

 

[andypops]

Thanks both for your answers.

If I do split-ticket, presumably I would have to get two excesses for it to be valid the whole way - and that is probably, well, an excess!

But split ticketing is a good shout, I hadn't even thought of it.

Thanks again,


Andy

 

[kieron]

Thanks both for your answers.

If I do split-ticket, presumably I would have to get two excesses for it to be valid the whole way - and that is probably, well, an excess!

But split ticketing is a good shout, I hadn't even thought of it.

It's not an excess, so I don't know whether you'd need two upgrades for a journey on two tickets. ATW customer services probably do, though. The difference is only a couple of pounds, though; I only looked because you asked about splitting at Cardiff and Chester.

 

[andypops]

Ah okay thanks.