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Rail fare

Replies: 14 - Last Post: Dec 21, 2012 4:18 AM Last Post By: barney_uk2

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pompom

pompom avatar

Dec 16, 2012 11:58 AM
Posts:  600

Rail fare

I need to travel from Harwich International to Gatwick at around 2pm on New Year's Day. The cheapest fare I can find is £39.90. Does that sound about right? I'm not familiar with UK train fares anymore. Thanks.

mickyfinn

mickyfinn avatar

Dec 16, 2012 1:15 PM
Posts:  1,936

1

Yes that is right. You might want to have a look at ticket splitting websites and see if buying two tickets might work out cheaper.
It involves buying one ticket to a station you pass through (and stop at) between Harwich and Gatwick and buying another from there onwards. Both tickets can be bought at Harwich. Sometimes there is a saving to be made, other times not. But for now yes, £39.90 is the correct fare.

barney_uk2

barney_uk2 avatar

Dec 17, 2012 4:01 AM
Posts:  276

2

I live in Harwich and yes, it sounds about right. You might save a bit by doing what #1 suggests and splitting the ticketing at, say, Colchester - but it won't make a huge huge difference.

By the way, once you've reached London Liverpool Street from Harwich, you can travel to Gatwick from London Bridge station - quite a bit closer than London Victoria. I only mention that because it doesn't seem well-known.

mickyfinn

mickyfinn avatar

Dec 17, 2012 4:07 AM
Posts:  1,936

3

Split ticket Harwich-Colchester-Gatwick works out £7 more! I have had a look at a couple of ticket splitting websites and there doesn't appear to be any other option.

richiavo

richiavo avatar

Dec 17, 2012 5:54 AM
Posts:  1,868

4

Whilst not cheaper it might be easier to take a national express bus from Colchester direct to the airport rather than having to change through London. Colchester to gatwick is 37.20

mickyfinn

mickyfinn avatar

Dec 17, 2012 5:55 AM
Posts:  1,936

5

That's a good suggestion.

pompom

pompom avatar

Dec 17, 2012 11:35 AM
Posts:  600

6

Thanks everyone. I'll check out National Express but don't think it's an option. Website states to go from Liverpool St to Farringdon which shouldn't be too much of a hassle if I remember Farringdon correctly from years gone by. From there it's a direct train to LGW.

@ Barney - see the town has improved since my last visit!

barney_uk2

barney_uk2 avatar

Dec 18, 2012 4:09 AM
Posts:  276

7

Oh, even better, I didn't realise they originated from Farringdon - I'll remember that for my next trip!

Not sure if Harwich has improved, it's certainly changed since last time you were here, quite a few more burned-out buildings. :)

pompom

pompom avatar

Dec 18, 2012 12:21 PM
Posts:  600

8

Yes, the fires have improved that end of the town no end!

mickyfinn

mickyfinn avatar

Dec 18, 2012 12:26 PM
Posts:  1,936

9

The Farringdon to Gatwick train originates in Bedford and also stops at St. Pancras and Blackfriars.

barney_uk2

barney_uk2 avatar

Dec 19, 2012 4:15 AM
Posts:  276

10

@Pompom - drop me a line if you want to try to do that coffee. There'll probably still be the odd building standing over the next couple of weeks. ;)

pompom

pompom avatar

Dec 20, 2012 2:28 AM
Posts:  600

11

It would be nice barney but we're going away for a few days as of Saturday and not sure when we'll be back. If anything it will be end of December as we're out for lunch today (upstairs at the Pier, bit posh for me!) and in Colchester tomorrow.

barney_uk2

barney_uk2 avatar

Dec 20, 2012 4:37 AM
Posts:  276

12

No worries, message me if you're here and find yourself at a loose end. I think my girlfriend is coming over for the day on the 28th or 29th but otherwise "I'm free" (as John Inman would say) till the New Year. Upstairs at the Pier, very posh, still not done that in nearly ten years here!

pompom

pompom avatar

Dec 21, 2012 3:18 AM
Posts:  600

13

Wasn't really worth the cost, although the food was nice. Nothing to write home about but nice all the same. £25 for soup, turkey roast and a small slice of Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and cream was a little too expensive. I don't think I'd go again.

barney_uk2

barney_uk2 avatar

Dec 21, 2012 4:18 AM
Posts:  276

14

It has definitely slipped in quality over the last decade downstairs too. It's "not as good as it thinks it is", if you know what I mean. Much better food of similar style around the corner at The Ship.
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