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buying train tickets to Wales in advance

I'm flying to London from New York, then immediately heading to Paddington Station to get a train to Cardiff, Wales. There are trains every hour and there are too many travel-variables to be able to buy a ticket ahead of time, unless I bought one for at least 1 hour more than is probably necessary. Rather than buy a much later ticket, I'm hoping I can just buy the ticket when I get there My question: is that a route that would likely be sold out in advance, or easy to get tickets the same day?

Posted by
3551 posts

Get all the schedules online from Britrail (online) then buy when you get to train station. Unless there is some really big sporting event or such you should have no prob. Also fares chg alot based on time of day (peak vs Non paek ) & day of the wk. which may save you lots of GBP.

Posted by
33164 posts

I would never expect Paddington - Cardiff to sell out. Reservations not needed. EDIT: do check if traveling on a weekend for big events at Millennium Stadium - if so the trains can get VERY crowded - but as long as you stay away from the supporters you should be able to find a perch.

Posted by
635 posts

The last minute tickets cost 37 GBP. Going out a month has discounts on all tictets and some as low as 11.50 GBP. If you go out two months, they are all 11.50 GBP. What's it worth getting to Cardiff an hour or two earlier?