Poole to Plymouth or Bristol....impossible!

[Mcbeth]

Essentially, I need to bring my car to Poole, Dorset next Saturday from near Plymouth; a 2.5hour drive approximately.

All I need to do is get back home to Plymouth, or Bristol.

We live near Plymouth but my wife will be in Bristol from Friday to Sunday so she can't pick me up.
I've asked everyone I can think of but no-one is free to do it.

the bus to Plymouth takes 6 hours (a 2.5 hour car journey!) and passes my door but doesn't stop so I'd have to take another bus to come back on myself back out of Plymouth adding another 45mins plus waiting time (also too late in the evening for anyone to pick me up from town)
The bus to Bristol goes via London and takes 7 hours!

The train costs 1 million pounds and goes via London!

I could rent a car but there are only 2 rental offices in Poole and they both want 100 odd extra pounds to return to a different location which is 2 hours away.

This weekend or another, or even during the week doesn't matter, I'm in the same predicament no matter what day or time I go.

Nightmare!

Is there something I haven't thought of?
Please help

I'm strongly considering making a cardboard sign and thumbing a lift.!

[cptsideways]

I dont usually do trains but did Gillingham Dorset (N Dorset) to Torbay last week via Exeter pretty sure that's not a million miles off what you need?

[rs1952]

The train costs a bloody fortune because you are trying to go via London. All (or at least) most fares that involve a London routing attract a premium.

Other options are available, but they do involve multiple changes:

Poole to Southampton, Southampton - Salisbury, Salisbury - Exeter, Exeter - Plymouth

Poole to Weymouth (or Dorchester changing stations - less than 10 minute walk), Weymouth/ Dorchester to Castle Cary, Castle Cary - Plymouth

As above but changing at Yeovil instead of Castle Cary with an additional change at Exeter

National Rail Enquiries is offering a single on Saturday for £55.00 via Castle Cary. However, you will be able to improve on that price if you split the ticket somewhere (eg separate tickets Poole to Weymouth, Weymouth to Castle Cary, Castle Cary to Plymouth) but you would need to do your own research on that.

https://raileasy.trainsplit.com is currently offering a single on Saturday from £32.00 via Yeovil, but if you use a company like that you have to pay them a commission. If ypou're a nerd like me you'll look up the various options yourself

[Saleen836]

I'm in Poole on Saturday, depending on your times I can bring you back to Warminster where you can get a train to Bristol....if it helps?

Just looked on the Trainline and it will cost you about £11 and take approx 45mins

Edited by Saleen836 on Monday 20th June 21:11

[Mcbeth]

Thanks for the pointers guys, really appreciate it!

@ Saleen, that's a superb offer thank you. I'll take you up on that if I may.
Pm'd

[Saleen836]

Replied to your email

[Yertis]

Why don't you just catch the train from Poole to Bristol? You only need to change once, at Southampton. My daughter does this all the time, dropped her off at BTM this afternoon in fact. Or you could get the coach direct from Poole Bus Station (oh joyful place) direct to Bristol. But I've not done that in 30 years.