Getting to Reading....

[fake plastic trees]

Hi,

I live in Chelmsford and have never been to Reading before but am going this year. There's 3 of us and we're only going for the Sunday. We cannot decide what is the best option to take:

• Take the train to Paddington and from there to Reading? But we don't know if we will catch the last train back in time. Do they run later on Reading weekend?

  Drive there (I bought a car park ticket in case) but we are not sure we want to do this because we would prefer it if we could drink alcohol

  Drive there and find a travelodge or something to stay in for the night... should I book now if I do this?

I think we would rather go by train but as I said we don't know if that will work.

Advice greatly appreciated

[Budweiser]

Get a train to paddington then a train to Reading, they run later on weekends aswell, usually up to midnight.

[goodoldfashionedmosher]

you'll be able to get the train back, they run til about 2am.

don't drive, you'll have a much better time if you drink, not that i'm saying you have to drink to have a good time, but it's a day out, like a mini holiday, so you should enjoy yourself as much as poss.

[JakusMaximus]

Hey hey Used to go to anglo-european school, enjoy radiohead ! Didn't know radiohead fans existed in chelmsford.

[Ashaz42]

Alternatively, stay on site overnight. It really won't matter, and then get a train in the morning!

[fake plastic trees]

Thanks all, I think we'll get the train back if they run til 2am then! And I won't need to book yeh? Because it's more expensive to book so I don't want to unless you think it's necessary

Hey hey Used to go to anglo-european school, enjoy radiohead ! Didn't know radiohead fans existed in chelmsford.

[flossy_]

Thanks all, I think we'll get the train back if they run til 2am then! And I won't need to book yeh? Because it's more expensive to book so I don't want to unless you think it's necessary

[Richard P]

If not, like someone suggested, just bum around in camp until the morning and then get the train back then

[JakusMaximus]

Yea you might have a hard time getting back to chelmsford from paddington at 2/3 am, but i'd definately advise booking your ticket on the train, if you buy a weekend return on the day it's around 38 quid? But booking trains Paddington - Swi you can get a single for 7.50 or possibly even a fiver if you book them now, meaning you save over 20 quid, only problem with booking trains is that you need to get on the train you book, you can't just get any train.

[Jack2004inet]

when i went to reading we went on a coach from colchester, passed through chelmsford as far as i remember.

could look into that, though for a day trip can imagine might not be possible and have to train it.

[beLIEveR]

In theory it can be done, but you won't make it all the way to Chelmsford.

Assuming you want to watch all of Radiohead (or Lostprophets/Dance/FR headliners) it will take a long time to get from the arena to the main road, and then another 20 odd minute walk to the station, and then you're hoping you'll fit onto one of the few trains that runs late at night, and even if you do all that you'll probably be stranded at Paddington.

[fake plastic trees]

Thanks everyone, I did not know you could stay in the campsite with a day ticket! And you're right about getting back to Chelmsford from London, I didn't even think about that! The last train from Liverpool Street is usually 11 or 12 so we would be stranded there.

Some friends are camping so I'm sure we can crash for the night with them! If not I guess we'll try and find a travelodge

[thomasowen]

Thanks everyone, I did not know you could stay in the campsite with a day ticket! And you're right about getting back to Chelmsford from London, I didn't even think about that! The last train from Liverpool Street is usually 11 or 12 so we would be stranded there.

Some friends are camping so I'm sure we can crash for the night with them! If not I guess we'll try and find a travelodge

[beLIEveR]

Assuming white car park hasn't changed from 2006, you could easily bring camping gear with a day ticket that way.

That said it's not a nice drive (I've heard of and been personally involved in a few horror stories on those tracks) and a long walk to the arena.

[TalkShow Bob]

Get a train to paddington then a train to Reading, they run later on weekends aswell, usually up to midnight.

[Ashaz42]

Thanks all, I think we'll get the train back if they run til 2am then! And I won't need to book yeh? Because it's more expensive to book so I don't want to unless you think it's necessary

Haha yeh there's lots of us

[TalkShow Bob]

Don't risk it mate. The station's never open beyond 2. Trains don't run past 12 usually either. I'm a local, trust me. I've learnt this the hard way. Several times. Best bet is to stay at the site overnight at the fest or in Reading somewhere.

[Ashaz42]

Last train home from London is at half one. Though after that theres only a couple of hours wait till the half three. Though thats week days and going in the wrong direction. I know they stop leaving London a lot earlier and start again a lot later on Saturday night (well Sunday morning) than they do Friday night.

[TalkShow Bob]

I was in Reading last night and it was closed at 2pm when I was at the bus stop. I don't know if it's different during the festival, but It's been like that before. Just wait till morning is my recommendation.

Edited April 26, 2009 by TalkShow Bob

[bloodflowers]

Don't risk it mate. The station's never open beyond 2. Trains don't run past 12 usually either. I'm a local, trust me. I've learnt this the hard way. Several times. Best bet is to stay at the site overnight at the fest or in Reading somewhere.

Edited April 27, 2009 by bloodflowers