Train or Car from Windsor to Totnes in April?

Yes, it's safe to assume you'll make the meeting if the train arrives on time - though nothing's certain in life. Breakdowns, suicides on the line - they do happen. If it's an unmissable meeting then you could travel down the evening before.

You'll get yourself killed if you drive on the opposite side of the road - drive on the left like everyone else. How you'll cope is unknowable - but if you're a competent driver there shouldn't be a problem.

The national rail website will work out the quickest route for you. There are two stations in Windsor - Central and Riverside; both will involve a few changes en route to sunny Devon. You can relax on the train - not so much in the car.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Thank you for your reply!

[Note of Clarification: When discussing the possibility of driving, I meant that if we actually do rent the car, I'd be driving opposite how I would usually drive in the US, meaning that I would certainly abide by the UK driving system and drive on the left. ;) I have absolutely no wish to get killed on a UK expressway, nor am I an idiot... I suspect your answer was in jest, though, if my meaning was actually clear. If not, apologies, and now you know! :-D ]

With regards to the trains:
It's agreed that nothing is ever 100% certain. To the extent that things CAN be certain though, I am hoping someone here has confidant experience with the Great Western Railway along the Windsor to Totnes line in terms of usual timing. ( BTW: How sad! Suicides holding up trains?) For instance, some flight routes here in the States are absolutely notorious for being delayed or cancelled out of certain airports. I imagine the same is true of rail lines in the UK. If not, lucky them for having such amazing precision!

Your suggestion to go down the night before is a good one, but unfortunately not possible, or we would have done it. :)

I've just had a thought: Is private hire an option from Windsor to Totnes? I suspect the answer is yes, though probably difficult to arrange or prohibitively expensive? That may solve a lot of problems if it's in the realm of possibility?

Also, I love your user name! :-)

Yes, my answer was in jest :D - the point is really to think of it as normal rather than being overly concerned about the differences. Understanding the different signage and the rules of the road, and the intensity in congested areas, rather than simply driving on the other carriageway, is likely more of a challenge.

There's really no reason not to take the train, it's the best way. Hiring a driver would be very expensive.

BUT if you do decide to hire a car, please read the appropriate sections of the Highway Code before you drive:

http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/3/2/9/2/3292309/the-official-highway-code-with-annexes-uk-en-12-04.pdf

Contrary to what Emma says, you will more or less be travelling on a main line - the one from London to Penzance, Cornwall or Paignton in south Devon. The reason changes are showing up is because you are starting from Windsor CENTRAL (WNC).

So, you first use a local train to get you to the mainline at Slough. Here you must do a quick switch to a train that will get you to Reading (RDG) as the long distance expresses fly through Slough at 125mph. You then pick up a south west bound express at Reading. See www.nationalrail.co.uk. I would pre book with https://www.gwr.com/?gclid=co_9js39scscfqangwodz7oh3q. Also check that engineering work is not affecting the route on your chosen date via the GWR site.

As you would be travelling on a peak time train - the fare is not cheap - probably £74.50 (advance booking) one way Windsor Central to Totnes departing at 7.28. If you are on an expense account, this may not matter. If paying yourself, you may well wish to hire a car & drive yourself.

Most trains are reliable and run to the minute. You can see this on the following site. Fill in the location box with say Totnes and use the minus hour sign to go back through the day to see if the trains are on time. Check it out for connecting stations such as Slough and Reading. Do this for a few days in order to assertion how reliable (or not) the British train system is.http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced

If going by car - it is quite a long journey and to use continuous motorway - you would need to use the M4 towards Bristol & then the M5 & A38. The more southern A303 route is not recommended.
http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp#fromNode=0%7CWindsor%7C%7C-0.613576%7C51.481728%7CtoNode=0%7CTotnes%7C%7C-3.685797%7C50.433741

PS. Totnes main street has many quaint historic buildings. This part of Devon is very popular with the British for holidays. If I was attending a conference in Totnes, being as I would have to travel to the south west, I would be taking an extended holiday in the area and maybe venture further west as well - into Cornwall. I would not be tearing down to the conference at the last minute and then heading all the way back up to London.
See > http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/explore-south-devon/totnes-p194553
http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/explore-south-devon/south-hams
https://www.visitcornwall.com

OK, Emma, point taken.

Don't be surprised when you get Totnes Pounds in your change.

There is a buy-local, spend-local push in Totnes and there are unofficial pound notes floating around which are used in the town and not accepted anywhere else.

Dear LTT,
Take the train, leave earlier than 7:10a to ensure you arrive in Totnes in time for the meeting. I travel by train every time I am in the UK and take the train every time and have been on the GWR to Cornwall three times. The change of trains is easy on this route and pack light! Large suitcases are not fun to lug onto trains! I would splurge on a first class from Reading to Totnes to have more room, have a coffee or breakfast and most importantly to relax and enjoy the scenery. Standard class cars are often crowded and noisy.

If you drive as you called expressways (in England it's motorways/M roads) remember the fast lane is the outside lane, slower lane is the inside lane, just the reverse from driving here.