Cheap train journey? Kent to Birmingham return

[callmedave]

Hi all!

The mrs is taking me to the classic motor show at the NEC in Nov, but shes left it to me to organise getting there.

a same day return for 2 adults is coming out around £100!!

Surely there must be a cheaper way?
(cant drive there)

Any suggestions?

[surveyor]

Avoid peak hours.

Drive.

Coach,...

ETA - £100 for 2 sounds cheap...

[Mr Trophy]

Steal a jet and fly there...?

[AGK]

Try splitting the journey up.

[petemurphy]

interestingly if you want to go to london peak hour from tunbridge wells its cheaper to get a single to birmingham and just get off at london - £10 single cw £30ish at 8am!

[callmedave]

AGK said:

Try splitting the journey up.

Im looking at this.

I know the 2nd part is Euston>birmingham int

so that give me the london change of st pancras, kings cross, and paddington at a push.

but they are all ~ £70

[callmedave]

Might just goto the zoo instead

[petemurphy]

get a railcard

[petemurphy]

dont know what dates ure going but i just stuck london to bham in for 16th nov and its only £28 for 2 return without a railcard

[sherman]

Why cant you drive?

You could hire a car for about £30 for a day. Add a tank of petrol or diesel and it will come to less than £100

[callmedave]

petemurphy said:

dont know what dates ure going but i just stuck london to bham in for 16th nov and its only £28 for 2 return without a railcard

Traveling on the 17th.

what times were that journey? link?

-all your help is much appreciated!

[petemurphy]

seems more exp then - £46 return for 2 london to bham can u go on the sat?

[Fittster]

Have you checked both the chiltern and west coast lines?

[Chrisgr31]

Fittster said:

Have you checked both the chiltern and west coast lines?

Chilterns doesnt go to the NEC so would have to go somewhere and change to get to the NEC, it is also a lot slower than the West Coast. Having said that the trains are more comfortable and a lot cheaper and I prefer it when going to Birmingham.

[ali_kat]

Don't use Virgin from Euston

[Amateurish]

£50 from Kent to Birmingham return doesn't sound bad tbh.

[anonymous-user]

Amateurish said:

£50 from Kent to Birmingham return doesn't sound bad tbh.

Add your return petrol costs and a wedge to Park at Nec and see what the difference is. It's also probably easier and less stressful on the train where you can have a beer

We did a mcr Kent journey recently and total cost for 3 was 20% by train than the petrol cost.

Also did mcr- nec it was £10 more expensive but less hassle than driving so worth the tenner

[Fittster]

Chrisgr31 said:

Fittster said:

Have you checked both the chiltern and west coast lines?

Chilterns doesnt go to the NEC so would have to go somewhere and change to get to the NEC, it is also a lot slower than the West Coast. Having said that the trains are more comfortable and a lot cheaper and I prefer it when going to Birmingham.

They do some fast trains that aren't much slower that the west coast line.

Travel to Moor Street, 10 minute walking to New Street and then get a train to International. Can't see it taking more than 30 minutes.

[ali_kat]

Fittster said:

They do some fast trains that aren't much slower that the west coast line.

Travel to Moor Street, 10 minute walking to New Street and then get a train to International. Can't see it taking more than 30 minutes.

They do, but it's an extra change & an extra 40 minutes - each way on top of an already long journey.

[ali_kat]

07:55 Tunbridge Wells - 08:56 London Bridge - 01h 01
08:56 London Bridge - 09:50 London Euston
09:50 - London Euston - 11:35 Birmingham International

3h40m cost £61.80 each


10:55 Tunbridge Wells - 11:04 Tonbridge
11:10 Tonbridge - 11:55 London Victoria
11:55 London Victoria - 12:40 London Euston
12:40 London Euston - 13:53 Birmingham International

2h58m cost £14 each (single) similar journey home is £21.50 each but leaving at 5:25 you'd not be back to TBW until 9:30