Expert: David Stewart White - 2/15/2007

Question
Regarding purchasing train tickets in advance, how strict are they?  If you were to miss your train, would you be able to use the same ticket for another train?  Thank you for your help.
         Sincerely, Mary
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Dear Mr. White,
    My husband, son, and I are meeting our daughter who has been attending University East Anglia in Norwich in May.  What is the easiest way to travel from London to East Anglia?  After picking her up we would like to spend a week in London, where we will use the underground.  But we also wish to visit Stratford, Great Dixter, Sissinghurst, Stonehenge, and Levans Hall.  We do not plan on driving.  Can we travel by train to these places?  Should we buy tickets ahead of time? If so, how is the best way to do that? If we see a play, we will want to stay overnight in Stratford.  Are Stonehenge and Levens Hall far enough away from London that we should plan on an overnight stay for those destinations as well?  Do you have recommendations for hotels?  Perhaps we should visit one or more of these places after we meet our daughter in East Anglia and before we return to London.    Thank you for your help.
         Mary
-----Answer-----
Hi Mary,

It is about a 2 hour train ride from London to Norwich, fortunately it is a direct train (no changes required).  Since you are not going to rent a car, that's probably your best option.  Stratford-upon-Avon is a bit further, more like 3 hours via rail from London and there is also direct service.

Sissinghurst is a terrific garden.  You can get there via rail and bus.  Details are on this website:

   http://tinyurl.com/23tque

And there is information of traveling to Sissinghurst and Great Dixter on this site:

   http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden_tour/garden_tours_sissinghurst.htm



Stonehenge is best reached from Salisbury by rail, then a bus to the site a few miles north of the city.  Salisbury could serve as a base for an overnight stay, and that small city is alos worth a visit (especially the cathedral).

Those spots are all within a couple of hours of London by rail.  Levens Hall is far north in the Cumbrian Lake District.  Is that really the place you were thinking about?   If so, I wonder if it is practical given the rest of your itenerary.

Finally, for determining train times, fares, and ticket options, I suggest that you go to the Transportdirect.info website.  Purchasing tickets in advance can certainly save money IF your schedule is fairly firm.  Advanced tickets can often be purchased using a credit card, then picked up at a FastTicket machine at a London rail station.  Find more information on this process at TheTrainLine.com, which is another place that you can find fares, train times, etc.  Here's a link:

    http://tinyurl.com/35wr6v

I hope this helps as you start to plan your visit.  If I can help further, please contact me through AllExperts.com or directly at:

    mail@kidstolondon.com

You can also scan my websites for other London and UK travel information.   They are:
   
    www.KidsToLondon.com
    www.OnOurOwnInLondon.com

Regards,

David White  

Answer
There ARE restrictions on refunds/changes to Advanced Purchase (APEX) tickets.  These are set by the individual train operating companies.  For example, here are the Southwest Trains APEX restrictions:


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For Apex tickets, refunds will be given any time before the departure time of the first train specified on a Single ticket or the first train specified on the outward portion of a Return ticket. A cancellation fee of 50% of the fare paid will be charged. No refunds will be given after these times.
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For SuperAdvance tickets, a full refund less the standard administration fee will be given if the wholly unused ticket is surrendered before 6pm on the day before outward travel.  If surrendered between 6pm on the day before travel and before the outward train leaves, a refund of 50% of the fare paid will be given.
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For Apex tickets, if you apply at least seven days before the date of outward travel you may change your dates and times of travel, subject to availability. A fee of £5 for each ticket will be charged.
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For SuperAdvance tickets, if you apply by at least 6pm on the day before your outward journey you may change your dates and times of travel, subject to availability. A fee of £5 for each ticket will be charged.