35 replies to this topic

[nickoo]

pre ordered my tickets which work out alot cheaper man.. plus u have a reserved seat but im guessing that wont really matter coz the trains will be ramped right??

[johnmcga]

Depends where you're coming from, but I think they usually operate a queuing system from Paddigton for the trains to Castle Cary.

I've hopped on at Reading for the last two years and had no problems at all. Planning to do the same this year, so it'll probably all go horribly wrong for some reason...

Be aware that with cheap advance tickets you have to get the train you're booked on. If you don't then your ticket's not valid and you can be fined. This will be a problem heading back on the Monday, cause there are large queues and it's all done on a first-come-first-served basis.

(Actually, I thought for this reason they didn't offer cheap advance tickets over the festival weekend. But if you've managed to book some then clearly I'm wrong!)

[Ashaz42]

I plan to get on at Reading too (as I live there). Booking my tickets this week. What time train would be best? I'm thinking one around 8.30am which gets me at Castle Cary at 10.15am on the wednesday.

[Dukeicon]

Oh they joys of living in Taunton... Only two stops and 20 mins away!!

Edited by Dukeicon, 05 May 2009 - 01:40 PM.

[Mellon collie]

Dukeicon, on May 5 2009, 02:39 PM, said:

Oh they joys of living in Taunton... Only two stops and 20 mins away!!

I am planning on getting the train from taunton on one of the first trains is it busy? only going to be for 20 mins but wouldn't mind a bit of space for a seat

[tonyblair]

nickoo, on May 5 2009, 01:45 PM, said:

pre ordered my tickets which work out alot cheaper man.. plus u have a reserved seat but im guessing that wont really matter coz the trains will be ramped right??

well, I'm hoping that the reserved seat number means that there will be a reserved seat..  

[Dukeicon]

Mellon collie, on May 5 2009, 03:14 PM, said:

I am planning on getting the train from taunton on one of the first trains is it busy? only going to be for 20 mins but wouldn't mind a bit of space for a seat

Nah not too busy, think I got the one about 10 ish last year, will probably get an earlier one this year. I'm meeting a friend on the train and he is coming from Plymouth so will meet him at Taunton. Will probably see you there!

Edited by Dukeicon, 31 May 2010 - 08:12 PM.

[let's 'ave it!!!]

what would be the cheapest/ best way to get there from London?

[ukslim]

Strange situation: a return ticket Reading -> Exeter (passing through Castle Cary) is significantly cheaper than a ticket Reading -> Castle Cary.

Any idea whether buying the cheaper ticket be a mistake?

[Al the CAT]

ukslim, on May 5 2009, 05:25 PM, said:

Strange situation: a return ticket Reading -> Exeter (passing through Castle Cary) is significantly cheaper than a ticket Reading -> Castle Cary.

Any idea whether buying the cheaper ticket be a mistake?

Yes, because it would not be valid. The ticket barrier folks at Castle Cary (who will be looking for these tricks) will charge you the full Reading - Castle Cary price, so you'll end up paying twice.

Edited by Al the CAT, 05 May 2009 - 05:55 PM.

[81020xegw]

Going from Crewe to Bristol on the choo choo  23rd , overnight stay in Bristol for the shuttle bus to the festival first thing weds .

[pineapple-tea]

I thought it was actually quite expensive. 22 Quid for a return from Exeter. It's only about 30 minutes away, if that.

[paulo999]

let's 'ave it!!&, on May 5 2009, 05:11 PM, said:

what would be the cheapest/ best way to get there from London?

The best way, in my opinion, is to keep it simple. Go off peak from Paddington, direct. It's a fixed fare, about £55 return, and you can come back on any train. You can buy that ticket at the station when you go. No extra booking fees or having to stealth a 'deal' on line, and nothing to lose if your plans change.

The first off peak is around 11am, getting you to CC at about 1pm.

There are complicated tricks with mutliple single fares, weird routes, and fixed train times - all with a risk of having to pay a massive on-the-spot fare if you don't make it for a specific train going back. Too much hassle and risk, for me.

Edited by paulo999, 05 May 2009 - 06:14 PM.

[Dukeicon]

let's 'ave it!!&, on May 5 2009, 05:11 PM, said:

what would be the cheapest/ best way to get there from London?

If you are coming from London check the First Great Western site as they have a train from London Paddington which goes onto Devon and Cornwall. FGW are the operators of the Castle Cary station and do give discount on advanced tickets. This route goes through reading if anyone is travelling from there too.

The 'official' place to get tickets from is here but it doesn't mean that you have to get them from there. Apparently they are supposed to be cheaper or something from there but from my experience I haven't found this to be true!

Edited by Dukeicon, 05 May 2009 - 06:27 PM.

[ukslim]

let's 'ave it!!&, on May 5 2009, 05:11 PM, said:

what would be the cheapest/ best way to get there from London?

Maybe the National Express coach would be cheaper - and would take you directly to the site.

[Keev]

I was looking at getting the train from Manchester but it's an absolute fortune so think it will be the bus for me.

[paulo999]

Dukeicon, on May 5 2009, 07:17 PM, said:

If you are coming from London check the First Great Western site as they have a train from London Paddington which goes onto Devon and Cornwall. FGW are the operators of the Castle Cary station and do give discount on advanced tickets. This route goes through reading if anyone is travelling from there too.

The 'official' place to get tickets from is here but it doesn't mean that you have to get them from there. Apparently they are supposed to be cheaper or something from there but from my experience I haven't found this to be true!

If I squint a bit, that actually looks like advice, rather than a random collection of facts that are of no particular help

[strudders]

I have just been looking for cheap tickets.....

I can not believe how bloody expensive rail travel is.

I have been out of it for a few years from my season ticket days in London but these prices are absurd!

Sorry had to say it.  Just does not seem fair that those of you wanting to go by train get walloped with such expensive charges when doing the green thing, and keeping the roads clear.

For me to get to glasto in my car will cost. 45 quid in fuel return

for the train 37 quid off peak, plus 3 changes and takes 4 hours...... Insane. its 97 miles!

[rfs]

Luckily I have other means of getting to the festival this year than taking the train. Forcing you to walk in front of a sniffer dog before you get on the shuttle bus goes against ACPO guidelines and is just not cool.

[lloydmfd]

paulo999, on May 5 2009, 07:12 PM, said:

The best way, in my opinion, is to keep it simple. Go off peak from Paddington, direct. It's a fixed fare, about £55 return, and you can come back on any train. You can buy that ticket at the station when you go. No extra booking fees or having to stealth a 'deal' on line, and nothing to lose if your plans change.

The first off peak is around 11am, getting you to CC at about 1pm.

There are complicated tricks with mutliple single fares, weird routes, and fixed train times - all with a risk of having to pay a massive on-the-spot fare if you don't make it for a specific train going back. Too much hassle and risk, for me.

It's £56 return, and the first train you can take is 0915 - I bought my ticket over the weekend. Coming back on the Monday you can come back on any train.