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Travelling only Trains and Buses-What we learned...

Posted by (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) on

We planned our trip for last Sept with the plan to only use Trains and Buses. Here are a few tips of what we learned:

1 Key advice is to ask on here. there are some very helpful people that know their stuff and can give you great advice.

Buses are local. Coaches are the Bigger buses between routes. This we found out when a friend thought one thing and we thought another.
Know the final destination of the Train you are going on. They often announce and post this on the Announcement boards.
If you buy advance tickets you get a deal and the train will not necessarily let you on an earlier train.

When planning your itinerary and using Buses check to see when the buses will run. In Yorkshire Dales there were more buses on the weekend out to Bolton Abbey. We were there mid week and had 1 day to choose from Wednesday. You needed to go to Grassington and then to Bolton Abbey. and we did this return because we didn't plan to go into Ilkley. In the Cotswolds there are NO buses on Sunday's but more during the week. So, just look at this when planning your itinerary.

Hadrian's Wall area Buses- AD122 are only every 2 hours. We found that 2 hours was a challenge . In some areas not long enough but 4 hours too long. It's okay if you have lots of days. We only had 2 and 1/2 days. They are having trouble with attracting bus drivers so they just don't have the extra spots.

That's my main thoughts.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Posted by
34 posts

Thanks for this. I am planning to visit Hadrian's Wall, also for 2 days, and debating buses vs renting a car. I will be there in July so it is possible more buses will be running. Also possible that there will be more people waiting in line for them. I don't really have any time constraints other than what I put on myself so also debating adding more days and just taking it as it comes with the buses. If it starts getting late and I am stranded out on the wall I suspect I could put my thumb out and someone with a car will take pity on a grey haired, mild looking older lady.

Posted by
8913 posts

Here is my Hadrian's Wall Advice, particularly if you only have two days.
Day 1: Hire Peter Carney to be your Hadrian's Wall Guide. He will provide transportation along the wall sites, teach you about what you are seeing, and tailor the tour to your needs. We learned so much in that one day that when we walked sections the next days, we actually understood what we were looking at. One full day with Peter, especially since he drives, is worth every penny.
https://www.hadrianswall-walk.com/

Posted by
8136 posts

Unfortunately there will be no extra buses on Hadrians Wall in July. The Summer timetable is now out, and two hourly remains the status quo, now as a year round thing.

Posted by
2535 posts

Know the final destination of the Train you are going on. They often
announce and post this on the Announcement boards.

This is true pretty much everywhere. Trains are posted on the departure board with their departure time, and their final destination. Intermediate destinations are only posted if there is enough room. So you need the departure time, and the final destination to find your train. Not just in the UK. The same applies on the continent too.

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