Trains and transfers

[Spirit of 71]

Hi all! I have been a lurker for the past couple of months and as the excitement of Glastonbury is building I thought I would register, say hello, and ask a couple of questions. This is my 3rd Glastonbury (2003 and 2007) so I am well up to speed with most informaiton, but each time I go I seem to travel by different means (2003 - car, 2007 - coach, 2011 - train).

I am arriving by train into Castle Cary into 10.26 from Paddington and we are hoping to get a transfer to the festival. My questions are;

1. What shall I expect when we arruve at Castle Cary?

2. How busy will it be / shall I expect a long queue?

3. How long is the coach journey?

4. Which gate do you get dropped off at, and do you have a choice?

On the way back are booked into a 2pm train to Paddington, and have the following questions:

5. Do you actually get on the train you are booked onto, or is it a free-for-all?

6. Where do you get the transfer to Castle Cary?

After the madness of the coach trip back from Glastonbury in 2007 and being told we cant get on our coach due to it being full, despite us having booked it, and then getting on another coach leaving 15mins later. Plus the terrential rain... I hope it's a better experience!!

Thanks in advance!

[tristanshout]

Can't answer everything but the 'Returning from the festival' bit of this page on the National Rail website may be of some use to you:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/seasonal/Glastonbury/Glasto_2011.html

[nicktrow]

1: All the buses waiting for you

2: Busy, but little or no queue, you pile on the bus and your off

3: Not long, 20 mins

4: Dropped off at gate A and no choice

5: You may or may not get on the train your booked, many factors include queue at festival, queue at station. Just get any train out of there where you can connect to a London one if no direct train soon.

6: Gate A

[Spirit of 71]

Thanks for the replies. The train sounds better than the coach so far, I just hope it works out better or I will be back in the car for any future festivals!

[mirandamayhem]

1: All the buses waiting for you

2: Busy, but little or no queue, you pile on the bus and your off

3: Not long, 20 mins

4: Dropped off at gate A and no choice

5: You may or may not get on the train your booked, many factors include queue at festival, queue at station. Just get any train out of there where you can connect to a London one if no direct train soon.

6: Gate A

[danbailey80]

1: All the buses waiting for you

2: Busy, but little or no queue, you pile on the bus and your off

3: Not long, 20 mins

4: Dropped off at gate A and no choice

5: You may or may not get on the train your booked, many factors include queue at festival, queue at station. Just get any train out of there where you can connect to a London one if no direct train soon.

6: Gate A

[LusciousLucy]

Trains going to the festival I believe still have bookings for them, it is the return trains on Monday where the reservations get lifted.

Friday you will be on a very normal train with very few festheads around as 90% of the fest turns up on Wednesday these days. The busyness will only come from weekend travellers heading west.

[arcade fireman]

Anyone else got a raileasy ticket from Cranmore station? £46 single straight from the Festival upto Preston was a bargain considering I booked it yesterday - I live in Leeds but it's only another £15 across to get there. Compared to the £120 plus it wouldve cost me from Castle Cary it doesnt even bear thinking about!

But I havent seen a meeting point specified for the transport from the Festival to Cranmore station. Anyone can help?

[tristanshout]

I've specificly booked a ticket AND SEAT for a certain train. I figure the 4.26 from Paddington will be busy on the Friday. Are you saying this could still get taken?

Worried now..

[danbailey80]

The answer to your question was already answered in the link I posted above.

Basically, you'll get your seat. Everyone else will have to queue to get the remaining seats.

[Spirit of 71]

The answer to your question was already answered in the link I posted above.

Basically, you'll get your seat. Everyone else will have to queue to get the remaining seats.

[covicymru]

Take it will be pretty busy all day Wednesday on the trains.... thinking of getting in to Castle carry for 3pm as opposed to 12:45 to miss the rush,