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South West Trains

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Hi
We are going down to Portsmouth early next year.
We are going by train.
It appears unlike most other train companies you cannot reserve any type of seats on their trains-1st class or otherwise.
My question is are their trains busy? We would be travelling via Waterloo and it would be mid morning both ways, so not in the rush hour.
Neither of us our spring chickens so I would prefer not to stand .
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Comments

  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you avoid the first train or two after the morning rush hour you shouldn't have any problems. Allow time to walk up to the front of the train - the back coaches fill up first


    For cheaper fares try megabus - despite the name they do have trains on this route. Bookings tend to open about 6 weeks ahead
  • You won't be standing Waterloo-Pompey mid morning.

    Where are you coming from? A journey into London at that time will be busier than one going away.
  • You won't be standing Waterloo-Pompey mid morning.

    Where are you coming from? A journey into London at that time will be busier than one going away.

    Actually coming into London after the rush hour,then across London to w/loo, then down to Pompey, so it will be late morning.
  • Stigy
    Stigy Posts: 1,581 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    It won't be as busy as if you were travelling in to London, although Waterloo to Portsmouth Via Guildford services are busier off peak than a lot of other routes. You shouldn't hVe an issue getting a seat though from Waterloo.
  • dzug1 wrote: »
    For cheaper fares try megabus - despite the name they do have trains on this route. Bookings tend to open about 6 weeks ahead

    Do check this - they call it "Megatrain". They only offer fares on a limited selection of trains, but it might well suit the OP.

    If they have a fare then it'll almost certainly be cheaper than booking a regular "Advance" ticket from South West Trains (or another rail booking site) - you can only book Megatrain fares via their own website:
    www.megatrain.com

    Also, you'll have no problems getting seats.
  • chalomo
    chalomo Posts: 11 Forumite
    I travel on the London - Portsmouth (via Guildford) route most days in the rush hour and even then the only people I've seen standing are those who have left it until the last minute to board the train. Mid-morning you should be absolutely fine - I would suggest aiming to get to Waterloo around 15 minutes before the train departs to make sure you can sit together, though (depending on whether you want to go standard or first class).

    The other reason for leaving enough time is that sometimes during the day the outgoing train is only the front few carriages, so you might need to get to the front of the train.
  • giraffe69
    giraffe69 Posts: 3,603 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    First class on SW trains is not worth the extra(not all that much) money unless you suspect the train likely to be full to bursting.
  • rokel
    rokel Posts: 52 Forumite
    tried to travel from Portsmouth to Guildford on Christmas Eve but of course due to bad weather trains were all cancelled when we arrived at station. We had bought our tickets (in hope) the day before but at the station were told that no trains would be running until at least midday- if then! we made other arrangements for our journey. Our return journey on 27th was interrupted (they told us on 'net') by landslip on line between Haslemere & Petersfield although they said buses would be provided to Petersfield but then just a case of waiting to see when trains would arrive. Again we made other arrangements. Anyone had experience of getting refunds in this sort of situation? Do s/w trains make it as difficult as possible and try to wriggle out or is it law?
  • yorkie2
    yorkie2 Posts: 1,595 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Can you clarify if you purchased return tickets that remain wholly unused?
  • By all means apply for the refund, but the website does say no refunds for delays out of the control of SWT and specifically metions 'poor weather' so there is no guarantee of getting any money back.

    http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/compensation.aspx
    Employee of a National Rail train company.
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