Doncaster Train Travel Options

[rmt4ever]

Hi

Myself and Mrs are going up to Doncaster in South Yorkshire for a few days over Christmas this year for a change to staying at home in London.

We are staying in hotel in Doncaster City Centre and will probably travel up on Christmas Eve and return on 28th.

Previously we have used East Coast and then later Virgin East in First Class when travelling on this route.

But the fares have got high! Normally it is still ok as we drink booze and eat the grub and get moneys worth. But on the 24th and 28th as it is the festive period I am assuming there will be none of that- can anyone confirm?

So was thinking of doing either of the cheaper Grand Central Rails or First Hull Trains.

How do they compare?

Grand Central Rails have an offer on at the mo doing 20% off First Class advance tickets booked by the end of Sept. So my question, will the Christmas tickets be released in time for me to take advantage of this offer?

Ta

 

[robbeech]

VTEC are actually more likely to offer the full first class offering (including alcohol) over the festive period, even at weekends so you might find that to be a better option still. They've certainly done this for the last couple of years, i've no reason to believe they wouldn't continue to do so.

 

[_toommm_]

As someone who has lived in SY all their life, I'd personally recommend Hull Trains over Grand Central for this journey. Grand Central's High Speed Trains are beautiful, but don't call at Donny so you'd miss out. And even though HT and GC use the same class of train (Class 180), HT's are much nicer IMO.

Staff on both are really friendly though

 

[rmt4ever]

As someone who has lived in SY all their life, I'd personally recommend Hull Trains over Grand Central for this journey. Grand Central's High Speed Trains are beautiful, but don't call at Donny so you'd miss out. And even though HT and GC use the same class of train (Class 180), HT's are much nicer IMO.

Staff on both are really friendly though

Grand Central do call at Doncaster though. I'm Confused

 

[rmt4ever]

VTEC are actually more likely to offer the full first class offering (including alcohol) over the festive period, even at weekends so you might find that to be a better option still. They've certainly done this for the last couple of years, i've no reason to believe they wouldn't continue to do so.

That throws a spanner in the works. Maybe I'll just get the cheapest second class ticket save some money and buy a load of booze from m&S beforehand !

 

[telstarbox]

Advance tickets are usually released around 12 weeks (sometimes a bit later) before the date of travel, so you might be best to hang on a couple of weeks and see the prices then.

 

[yorkie]

As someone who has lived in SY all their life, I'd personally recommend Hull Trains over Grand Central for this journey. Grand Central's High Speed Trains are beautiful, but don't call at Donny so you'd miss out. And even though HT and GC use the same class of train (Class 180), HT's are much nicer IMO.

Grand Central do call at Doncaster though. I'm Confused

I think you may have misunderstood. Almost without exception, any Grand Central train calling at Doncaster will be operated by a Class 180, not a HST, which is the point _toommm_was making.

You mention food & drinks; you will get the limited "festive menu" on VTEC, which has in previous years been similar to their weekend menu (and has had upgrades available similar to Weekend First), but on Grand Central I don't think you get much more than a tea/coffee and perhaps a biscuit, but others will have a better idea than me.

 

[rmt4ever]

I think you may have misunderstood. Almost without exception, any Grand Central train calling at Doncaster will be operated by a Class 180, not a HST, which is the point _toommm_was making.

You mention food & drinks; you will get the limited "festive menu" on VTEC, which has in previous years been similar to their weekend menu (and has had upgrades available similar to Weekend First), but on Grand Central I don't think you get much more than a tea/coffee and perhaps a biscuit, but others will have a better idea than me.

Thanks Mr Yorkie. We don't really care about the rolling stock. As I can see Grand Central have the advantage over VT as they run non-stop Kings X to Doncaster station.

The weekend menu is not worth much on Virgin Trains in my experience.

 

[Tetchytyke]

VTEC last year ran a reduced weekday service on weekdays between Christmas and New Year: booze but no hot food. On Grand Central and Hull Trains you'll just get tea and biscuits. You won't get to use the 1st class lounge either.

 

[bb21]

On Grand Central and Hull Trains you'll just get tea and biscuits.

HT offer more than just tea and biscuits at weekends ime.

 

[robbeech]

HT offer a hot meal on their weekday services in first class, i'm not sure if this differs over the festive period.

One thing that can be taken away from this is that the festive period changes lots of things like this and i wouldn't really rely fully on previous years activity but it is generally a good starting point.
VTEC are certainly not against you bringing your own booze and adding their mixers to it on a weekend.