Norwich to Worcester

[jamie_r]

Hello all,

Last time I posted it was for getting the cheapest train to a uni open day - since then I've made it to uni so now my quest is to get from there to meet my family half way across the country! In short, I'm looking for the cheapest way to get between Norwich and one of the Worcester stations on the 13th of May, using a 16-25 railcard and *maybe* going First class? It seems I can either go via London or via Ely and Birmingham, would generally prefer via London but if the other way is cheaper I'll take it!

There's a fare of around £35 using Greater Anglia and GWR but it doesn't get there until 22:30 - that's okay but if there is a relatively cheap fare getting in earlier that'd be better. So, I was wondering if there are any splits that would get the cost down!

Also re: first class, have all GWR's trains got that new First class? It looks quite nice and is why I'm thinking going First class, but if there's a chance I'll be on a train with the old and not as nice First class, I wouldn't bother.

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[Romilly]

Glad you got a place.

As for 13th May, how about: a 1st class Norwich-London Advance for £9.90 on the 1230 arriving 1419, and a standard class Paddington-Worcester Advance for £3.95 on the 1536 from Paddington changing at Gloucester arriving at 1816. In addition, you would need to pay for the underground from Liverpool Street to Paddington: £2.40 using contactless or PAYG oyster.

EDIT: even better, if you search for Norwich to Paddington, you can get an £11.90 first class Norwich-London Underground Zone 1 Advance on the 1230.

All prices include the 16-25 railcard discount.

 

[jamie_r]

Ah, thank you! That works out very well for me!

Quick question though, are either of the 1st Class experiences on either GWR to Worcester, or Virgin to Birmingham and then London Midland to Worcester, any good? They're not much more expensive and I'm not paying for once - GWR 1st looks very good but I don't know if the Worcester train is one of those with the nice 1st class carriages, or a different train with not as nice ones... Any advice appreciated.

Cheers again!

 

[SS4]

Ah, thank you! That works out very well for me!

Quick question though, are either of the 1st Class experiences on either GWR to Worcester, or Virgin to Birmingham and then London Midland to Worcester, any good? They're not much more expensive and I'm not paying for once - GWR 1st looks very good but I don't know if the Worcester train is one of those with the nice 1st class carriages, or a different train with not as nice ones... Any advice appreciated.

Cheers again!

If you're not paying try it out . London Midland's first class is crap though

 

[Class172]

If you're not paying try it out . London Midland's first class is crap though

I think you mean non-existent, given we're referring to LM's Hereford services.

 

[LexyBoy]

Quick question though, are either of the 1st Class experiences on either GWR to Worcester, or Virgin to Birmingham and then London Midland to Worcester, any good? They're not much more expensive and I'm not paying for once - GWR 1st looks very good but I don't know if the Worcester train is one of those with the nice 1st class carriages, or a different train with not as nice ones... Any advice appreciated.

Assuming you're looking at the 2022 from Paddington, arr. Foregate St 2244, then this will be an HST (as are the preceeding three services). All GWR HSTs have the refurbished First Class now - definitely a good option if the price is good.

At other times some services are operated by 180s (good FC) or Turbos (definitely not worth it).

VT is nice too, but you'd have an extra change onto a standard-only LM DMU as indicated above.