We are a group of 4 seniors traveling from Edinburgh to York for several days and then on to Bath by train. Because of our ages, we would like to minimize connections. Would it be best to travel from York to Bristol and then Bath (rather than to London and make a change of trains there)? Also, does the LNER train between Edinburgh and London also do a stop in York? 1st class tickets, so we are guaranteed a seat?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7157 posts
When you go to the National Rail website, you will see your options for the days you will be travelling. LNER has frequent direct trains to York. Seat reservations are included with Advance tickets. Off peak or Anytime tickets can have seat reservations added on the app or website.
As for getting to Bath - selecting the trains with the single change at Bristol Temple Meads makes more sense than changing in London (which I believe also requires changing stations in London)
Posted by
2905 posts
It will be easier for you to go from York to Bath via Bristol (Temple Meads) where you change for the 15 minute journey to Bath.
This is one route where splitting the ticket can save money - even though you stay on the same train from York to Bristol.https://trainsplit.com is a site that works out where to split to reduce the fares but charges a commission on the amount saved.
https://www.buytickets.scotrail.co.uk is another site where you can pre purchase the tickets and does not charge commission but only works out 1 split.
I think it would have been better if you had posted this in the England section rather than under Transportation.
Posted by
2 posts
If you go via London, you sometimes have to change stations, for example from King’s Cross to Paddington, which can be a bit inconvenient, especially if you’re traveling with luggage. That’s why the route through Bristol is often the simpler option for many travelers.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11503 posts
The trick is to get one of the York to Plymouth direct trains to Bristol (most start in Edinburgh, one in Aberdeen, and one extends beyond Plymouth to Penzance)-
They leave on a weekday at 0643, 0741 and then hourly. The 0841 and 1041 are both scheduled to be longer trains, at 8 cars long- scheduled as 3 3/4 hours to Bristol Temple Meads.
If you take the 1041 you can have 2 x Two Together Railcards at £35 each to save 1/3 off the fares, even in 1st class-
Looking in 2 months time, 13 May, on the 1041 with a railcard York to Bath in standard class is £35.50 per person or £137 per person in first class (split tickets). Note you don't have to buy split tickets through a commission charging website, you can buy them yourself in 3 parts-
in the £137 example above-
Advance Single York to Cheltenham Spa £109.30, Cheltenham Spa to Bristol (stay on the same train)- £17.50, Bristol to Bath Off Peak Day Single £10.20 (no first class for the 17 minute journey Bristol to Bath). If you waited a few minutes at Bristol for a London train to Bath, which has 1st class, it is only £3.90 more with a railcard.
There are snacks and drinks included in the 1st class fare (including hot snacks).
Just to show that buying weeks ahead is not always cheapest, buying today for next Monday on the same 1042 train first class is only £95.15, as against £137.
Both standard and first class fares include seat reservations.
Likewise on next Monday on direct trains Edinburgh to York first class with a railcard is under £60 on certain trains (standard class £37)- so the meal and drinks in 1st make up the difference in cost. Very little difference in fare in 2 months time.
Posted by
Freedonia
18715 posts
LNER trains between Edinburgh and London stop in York but it's always best to double check.
Since ease of travel is important to you, and it seems more than the cost of the ticket, I'd suggest:
Buying ahead of time will probably allow the four of you to choose a table for four seating so you can sit together. Not guaranteed with last minute tickets. In fact, if you choose a busy train, busy day, busy time, you may not get a seat at all. The train company will sell you a ticket but unless you get an actual seat assignment you will stand the entire route.
To choose seats on an LNER train you need to book through LNER. You can choose type of seats requested from other sites but they are not guaranteed So, if you book all four at the same time, you can find an empty table on the seating chart and choose to sit there.
Changing in Bristol will be easier than London. Cross Country offers a no change service between York and Bristol. You would then change to a Great Western Railway train to Bath but that trip is only about 15 minutes.
First class is slightly more comfortable than coach but if the four of you can find a table of your own, there will be little difference. (No free food and drink in second class.)
One last thing, if you plan to travel on a weekend, be aware that maintenance work is often done of weekends and there could be a disruption in service. This will usually be noted on their schedule if the work is preplanned.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11503 posts
First class is slightly more comfortable than coach but if the four of you can find a table of your own, there will be little difference. (No free food and drink.)
To clarify- on Cross Country you do get free food and (non alcoholic) drinks in 1st class, and it is a pretty reasonable menu (I think I've had the whole XC 1st class menu)- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/sites/default/files/First%20Class%20catering.pdf
I've done 1st class quite a few times on XC, and will be again in May.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much to all of you who replied. I appreciate the information and now feel more confident about our train travel and plans.