sold out trains to Stratford-upon-Avon?
Mar 24th, 2016, 04:37 AM
#1
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sold out trains to Stratford-upon-Avon?
My family are traveling from London Heathrow to Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 16 April immediately after arriving from the states. I am reluctant to purchase train tickets in advance, because the plane could be late, etc. However, this is the weekend prior (and in the run-up) to Shakespeare400, so travel to Stratford may be busier, and I also have concerns that the trains will completely sell out. Do these trains sell out frequently?
Mar 24th, 2016, 04:48 AM
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If you want to buy an advance ticket at reduced rates, that ties you to a particular train; but if memory serves, Chiltern Railways don't stop selling tickets at a particular number, if you're not trying to buy for a specific train. You just get yourself to Marylebone, get a ticket and take pot luck on whether you get a seat or not.
Mar 24th, 2016, 07:24 AM
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Thanks to all for the help.
The car is intriguing, though I'm a little reluctant to try driving on the other side of the road for the first time immediately after an overnight flight.
Knowing that it's about whether or not we get seats actually addresses my underlying question, since some trains will allow that and others will not.
Also, it's a good reminder that the "crowds" for Shakespeare are likely to be quite small compared to any for a significant sporting event.
Again, thanks.
The car is intriguing, though I'm a little reluctant to try driving on the other side of the road for the first time immediately after an overnight flight.
Knowing that it's about whether or not we get seats actually addresses my underlying question, since some trains will allow that and others will not.
Also, it's a good reminder that the "crowds" for Shakespeare are likely to be quite small compared to any for a significant sporting event.
Again, thanks.
Mar 24th, 2016, 09:06 AM
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In case it's not clear:
Domestic trains in Britain don't - except under very extraordinary circs, like trains to Scotland right before Hogmanay - ever sell out. If more people turn up than there are seats, some of you stand. Booking Advance tix on many routes DOES guarantee you a seat, but I'm not sure Deutsche Bundesbahn runs carriages on that route that actually allows seat reservations.
Trains to Stratford are commuter trains, so they stop at small towns en route, where lots get off, the odd standing passenger grabs a spare seat and gloats over the poor sod who's just got on and can't find one for him or herself. On the one occasion every 400 years a Saturday train on that route's full.
Domestic trains in Britain don't - except under very extraordinary circs, like trains to Scotland right before Hogmanay - ever sell out. If more people turn up than there are seats, some of you stand. Booking Advance tix on many routes DOES guarantee you a seat, but I'm not sure Deutsche Bundesbahn runs carriages on that route that actually allows seat reservations.
Trains to Stratford are commuter trains, so they stop at small towns en route, where lots get off, the odd standing passenger grabs a spare seat and gloats over the poor sod who's just got on and can't find one for him or herself. On the one occasion every 400 years a Saturday train on that route's full.
