Glasgow to Mallaig — best ticket?

[realemil]

Hi! I’m looking to travel from Glasgow to Mallaig, same-day trip.

Trying to keep the cost down as little as possible, cheapest I’ve found is £29.75 (16-25 RC).

There doesn’t appear to be anything cheaper or any splits really available on the line; if anyone has any suggestions on any cheaper tickets I’m all ears, but appears that this is the best option.

I’ve used the site and the cheapest is like 1-2 pounds cheaper using advance fares, which I decided against to give myself the flexibility.

 

[dave87016]

personally IIRC the mallaig trains aren’t that frequent from Glasgow I think you may be lucky to get 2-4 hours at Mallaig depending what time you set off

 

[Watershed]

You're unlikely to find anything cheaper. There used to be a Super Off-Peak Day Return which was 20% cheaper, although this couldn't be used to actually make a day trip due to the time restrictions (and it wasn't sold on weekends). Advance tickets can be cheaper when bought a reasonable amount of time in advance, but nearer to the date of travel you're unlikely to find anything cheaper.

You'd probably have to take the coach in one direction to/from Fort William to save any money; given how long the journey is (and the fact that you'd be on a 156 or 153 for 5 hours each way!) I would give this consideration.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

personally IIRC the mallaig trains aren’t that frequent from Glasgow I think you may be lucky to get 2-4 hours at Mallaig depending what time you set off

The 0821 from Glasgow Queen Street would get the OP into Mallaig for 1338. Need to be on the 1605 from Mallaig to get back to Glasgow QS the same day (at 2125). So ten hours plus on the train for just under two-and-a-half hours in Mallaig, unless someone can suggest an alternative itinerary.

 

[Haywain]

So ten hours plus on the train for just under two-and-a-half hours in Mallaig,

From my recollection you can see everything in Mallaig in about 10 minutes!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

From my recollection you can see everything in Mallaig in about 10 minutes!

Quite. Of course, it's not always about the destination, it's more often the journey that really counts! (To paraphrase a fairly well known quotation).

 

[D6130]

So ten hours plus on the train for just under two-and-a-half hours in Mallaig, unless someone can suggest an alternative itinerary.

The good news is that if you are travelling on or before 27th October - and can get a seat reservation on the Caledonian Sleeper - you could leave Queen Street at 05 48, arriving at Fort William 10 00 and then change onto the Jacobite steam train departing at 10 15 and arriving in Mallaig at 12 26. The bad news is that you would have to pay £57 return on the Jacobite, plus £3.75 booking fee, as they don't sell single tickets. You could save the booking fee by chancing your arm and approaching the Jacobite train manager on arrival at FTW to see if any seats are still available. If not, you could wander into town for breakfast and pick up the 08 20 from Glasgow later. A lot of extra money and an early rise for not much benefit though....unless your feeling flush and like steam haulage or Harry Potter!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@D6130. Did actually consider that alternative itinerary, but it didn't seem to quite fit in with the OP's key criterion, which was to keep the cost down as much as possible!

 

[D6130]

@D6130. Did actually consider that alternative itinerary, but it didn't seem to quite fit in with the OP's key criterion, which was to keep the cost down as much as possible!

Indeed. My post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek....hence the wink at the end!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Indeed. My post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek....hence the wink at the end!

Thought that was in relation to the somewhat wizard Harry Potter reference! Anyhoo, after having schlepped all the way to Mallaig, what would folk suggest that the OP should consider doing in the two-and-a-bit hours potentially available to them at Mallaig? (Assuming the inbound service has actually arrived on time!)

 

[30907]

Thought that was in relation to the somewhat wizard Harry Potter reference! Anyhoo, after having schlepped all the way to Mallaig, what would folk suggest that the OP should consider doing in the two-and-a-bit hours potentially available to them at Mallaig? (Assuming the inbound service has actually arrived on time!)

Have a look at the harbour area and ferries, get something to ear and drink....

 

[D6130]

Anyhoo, after having schlepped all the way to Mallaig, what would folk suggest that the OP should consider doing in the two-and-a-bit hours potentially available to them at Mallaig? (Assuming the inbound service has actually arrived on time!)

In my experience, the cafes, pubs and restaurants in Mallaig are absolutely rammed soon after the arrival of the morning Jacobite. If the OP is not too hungry, I would suggest perhaps taking a walk around the bay to Mallaig Bheag (Little Mallaig) for a nice view across the harbour to the town and then stroll back again for a late lunch once the crowds have thinned-out. However, if it's normal West Highland weather, taking a good quality wind- and waterproof kagoule would be advisable.

 

[zero]

The good news is that if you are travelling on or before 27th October - and can get a seat reservation on the Caledonian Sleeper - you could leave Queen Street at 05 48, arriving at Fort William 10 00 and then change onto the Jacobite steam train departing at 10 15 and arriving in Mallaig at 12 26. The bad news is that you would have to pay £57 return on the Jacobite, plus £3.75 booking fee, as they don't sell single tickets. You could save the booking fee by chancing your arm and approaching the Jacobite train manager on arrival at FTW to see if any seats are still available. If not, you could wander into town for breakfast and pick up the 08 20 from Glasgow later.

If already in Glasgow at 0548 (or travelling from England on the sleeper) that's what I would do (and did).

Then you get about 1.5 hours in Fort William and just over 2 hours in Mallaig. Might as well see another town if you're going to spend 10 hours on trains anyway.

3.5 hours in Mallaig is a bit too much... as mentioned, 20 minutes is enough to see the town :P

I then took the boat to Armadale and back, although there's only enough time to walk around some of the paths. This is why I chose to go on a day in July when it was likely to be sunny

 

[realemil]

Thanks all! Appreciate the advice and recommendations.

I'm based in Glasgow city centre - so the sleeper is definitely an option. I may look into taking the Jacobite, will need to see what the funds allow, as this is a very last-minute trip.

However, if funds do not allow it, the best option appears to be the sleeper up to Fort William, and then the 12:12 from Fort William, with the 16:05 return to Queen Street.

This allows time in two cities, and splits up the journey by a considerable amount!

Thanks all

 

[4COR]

From my recollection you can see everything in Mallaig in about 10 minutes!

Add on 20 minutes for fish and chips, but yes... (the joy is getting there and back, rather than the being there...!)