train to Alton Towers

[jackieb]

Can anyone help please? My son and 5 friends are looking to go to Alton Towers from Edinburgh. He was thinking of hiring an MPV but as he's only 25 he can't hire one in Scotland (the carhire website sayis that in Scotland you have to be 30yo to hire an MPV).

Does anyone have any idea how much it would cost for 6 adults, and how many changes they would have? Is Stafford the nearest rail station?

[Lemonade Pockets]

The could hire two small cars no?

[jackieb]

The could hire two small cars no?


The only other driver is 23. A lot of hire places won't hire cars if you're under 25, and if they do, there's a young drivers surcharge. Before they hire 2 cars, it's worth looking into the cost of the train.

[Chippy Minton]

Can't they get a local train over the border and hire a MPV in England?

[jackieb]

Can't they get a local train over the border and hire a MPV in England?

That would confuse things farther, as my son is actually driving his own car down to a friends in Edinburgh, and leaving it at their house. It would mean driving his own car, train and then hire car. Just seems a lot of faffing around. His own car is only a 2 door, and not really comfortable for a long journey, and big enough for more than 2 adults. We live about 3 hours north of Edinburgh.

[samr]

There's a bus that runs from Stoke on Trent Station to Alton towers.

http://www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/how-to-find-us/public-transport/

How well the bus fits in with train times from Edinburgh, I'm not sure.
They may be able to get cheap train tickets if they can book weeks in advance.

[KeithP]

TransportDirect (http://www.transportdirect.info/web2/journeyplanning/journeyplannerinput.aspx) may help you to confirm the best route.

[Mike1901]

From experience, your best bet would be Edinburgh to Stoke (virgintrains.com will have advance tickets if you book far enoguh in advance which can work out very cheap) then catch the ATT bus (Alton Towers Transport) to the park :).

[jackieb]

Thanks for all your help. How far in advance would he have to book to get it a lot cheaper? They're planning on going at the end of this month.

[Mike1901]

At this point, the sooner the better - although by no means a rule, in general about a month before travel gets you the best deal. :)

One thing to remember is you will be tied to a specific train out of Edinburgh, so best to leave as much leeway as possible in terms of getting to the station.

[pulliptears]

Alton Towers Resort Transport Bus Times (every day from 29th March 2009):

LocationDeparts to Alton Towers ResortReturns from Alton Towers Resort
Derby Full Street09:4017:30
Stoke-on-Trent Rail Station07:10, 08:20*, 09:15, 10:10*, 11:10 15:45, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30
Uttoxeter Rail Station09:08, 10:08, 12:0017:15, 18:15 and 19:15

*08:20 and 10:10 from Stoke-on-Trent Rail Station operate Mondays- Saturdays only.

Bus Prices

Adult Return Child Return
Derby Full Street £7.50 £5.70
Stoke-on-Trent Rail Station £4.50 £3.40
Uttoxeter Rail Station £4.00 £3.00

First PMT service 32A runs frequently between Hanley and Uttoxeter via the Alton Towers Resort. For latest fare and timetable details, please visit the First PMT (http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northwest/staffordshire/timetables/index.php) website.

[Smart But Casual]

I live in the area and S-O-T to Alton Towers is a better bet that Stafford to Alton.

[pulliptears]

I live in the area and S-O-T to Alton Towers is a better bet that Stafford to Alton.

Didnt realise you were a fellow Stokie :D

I agree, you need to come to Stoke station rather than Stafford.

[chuckley]

the last bus from alton to town is at 5.30.

therefore dont train it there.

[Mike1901]

Nope, as the timetable above says it's at 7.30 :)

[Barneysmom]

Didnt realise you were a fellow Stokie :D

I agree, you need to come to Stoke station rather than Stafford.


Hiya Stokies, I'm a Stokie too! :cool:


Helloo Edinburgh people! Make sure you have a look at Hex, it's superb! I hope you don't come all this way without looking 'up 'anley' too :)

[pulliptears]

Hiya Stokies, I'm a Stokie too! :cool:


Helloo Edinburgh people! Make sure you have a look at Hex, it's superb! I hope you don't come all this way without looking 'up 'anley' too :)

up 'anley duck!

[Barneysmom]

:D:D

If you're coming to Stoke you'll need a few leesons in the lingo.......
Bear in mind the four duck transaction :)




http://www.thepotteries.org/dialect.html#say

[chuckley]

Nope, as the timetable above says it's at 7.30 :)people musta complained and got it changed.

still twonk tho considerin they close @ between 9 and 10?!

[goldspanners]

they could hire a minibus, i know folk who used to hire a minibus for glasto every year, all were under 25 at the time.

[jaydeeuk1]

Can't you just ask for a 24hr test drive of a renault espace? ;)

[jackieb]

Can't you just ask for a 24hr test drive of a renault espace? ;)

Good try. ;) He's going to need it for a few days though.

[pulliptears]

people musta complained and got it changed.

still twonk tho considerin they close @ between 9 and 10?!

Chuckley, Towers closes at either 5.30, 6pm or 7pm depending on the time of year. Bit crap really when Disneyland is open until midnight.

[chuckley]

7pm @ the lastest?????

has that changed in recent years????????? i swear down that place never used to close till 9pm @ the earliest!

[creased-leach]

Nope- I used to be local and practically grew up in the Towers- 9pm would be a special event late jobbie.

[pulliptears]

7pm @ the lastest?????

has that changed in recent years????????? i swear down that place never used to close till 9pm @ the earliest!

No its always been fairly early. I'm also quite local to it and the only times its been a little bit later are probably during Halloween Spectaculars and Fireworks parties, which even then don't end much past 7pm.

I had this conversation with OH in Disneyland, a lot of it is to do with a local couple near to the Towers who complain about noise levels etc constantly:

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Alton-Towers-noise-battle-case-holdarticle-322239-details/article.html

We were saying if the locals here embraced the park like they do in California it would be fabulous, after all Towers is bringing business into the area. Disneyland sets off fireworks at 9.30pm every night and nobody complains about it. The park itself doesn't close until midnight and the last transport bus out of there leaves at 1.20am.