Ever Taken The National Express To An Away Match?

[Katzenjammer]

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

 

[Cheets]

Cue the Divine Comedy references.

 

[Tezza1889]

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

We went to forest away in the 90s, the bus stopped about 35 times between Sheffield and Nottingham... Got to have been a 4 hour trip or it seemed it, then every stop once we got past Dronfield had fans of Chesterfield, Derby, and Forest getting on, very intimidating journey and the way back was horrific, sweaty steamed up windows, with winners and losers getting on, it was bubbling (the threat of violence) under the surface all the way..

It was like the warriors getting the subway back to coney Island.


Pay the train fare.... Thank me later..

 

[Eza Blade]

Cue the Divine Comedy references.

Cue not getting it out of my head for days

 

[Inter_blade83]

Ask Greenwich... he cheats all the time

 

[brownblade]

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

Definitely. And Megabus. So much cheaper than any other transport option.

You can buy singles if the timing works out better with the other company. Slower journeys but you can chat/watch stuff on your phone etc.

TBH I'd definitely wear a (proper) mask these days, regardless of your views on masking. As they're generally busy and full of people from all walks of life. Comfy coaches these days though.

A story I've told a few times on here was National Expressing from Brighton to Sheffield (and back, same day) for the Blades v Millwall in last promotion season. When it looked like we blew promotion. National Express didn't let me down at least...

 

[brownblade]

We went to forest away in the 90s, the bus stopped about 35 times between Sheffield and Nottingham... Got to have been a 4 hour trip or it seemed it, then every stop once we got past Dronfield had fans of Chesterfield, Derby, and Forest getting on, very intimidating journey and the way back was horrific, sweaty steamed up windows, with winners and losers getting on, it was bubbling (the threat of violence) under the surface all the way..

It was like the warriors getting the subway back to coney Island.


Pay the train fare.... Thank me later..

This is definitely not representative of the modern day experience tbf!

 

[Katzenjammer]

Definitely. And Megabus. So much cheaper than any other transport option.

You can buy singles if the timing works out better with the other company. Slower journeys but you can chat/watch stuff on your phone etc.

TBH I'd definitely wear a (proper) mask these days, regardless of your views on masking. As they're generally busy and full of people from all walks of life. Comfy coaches these days though.

A story I've told a few times on here was National Expressing from Brighton to Sheffield (and back, same day) for the Blades v Millwall in last promotion season. When it looked like we blew promotion. National Express didn't let me down at least...

What are the prospects of getting some decent kip on the coach do you reckon? I set off from Sheffield at 07:15am and land back in Sheffield at 04:40am the following day.

Needless to say I'm praying for a win, just to make the journey worthwhile!

 

[jt64]

Split the train ticket and it won't be anywhere near that price

Have taken the coach up to the north east a couple of times watching games in that area as a neutral, but not watching Blades away, no. Only time I've used it is to get to one of the Boxing Day home games

 

[brownblade]

What are the prospects of getting some decent kip on the coach do you reckon? I set off from Sheffield at 07:15am and land back in Sheffield at 04:40am the following day.

Needless to say I'm praying for a win, just to make the journey worthwhile!

Back in the day I'd coach across the country every weekend. Was able to sleep just fine.

Easier than on a plane, but not much more comfortable! Take a good warm hoody (for extra head padding). On the night time leg they'll have the lights down low and probably be hardcore coach travellers.

Also take a phone power bank and charging cable. For that length of day and probable heavy phone use. And earphones obviously.

 

[brownblade]

Split the train ticket and it won't be anywhere near that price

Have taken the coach up to the north east a couple of times watching games in that area as a neutral, but not watching Blades away, no. Only time I've used it is to get to one of the Boxing Day home games

Possibly, worth trying, but coach often still dramatically cheaper than even the best ticket splits.

 

[CrookesBlade]

Done a few London always on there when I’ve been stopping overnight (setting off early doors).

Went to MK Dons in L1 promotion season as well. 2 hours 15 stopping at Chesterfield. Was able to break out a few discreet cans as well (although it’s not strictly permitted).

NEX/Megabus isn’t a bad mode of transport if it’s a fairly direct journey and the times fit. Far cheaper than the equivalent train journey. Gets a bad rep because the way the routes are structured it can take the best part of the day to do a some destinations that may be only a couple of hours away.

 

[jt64]

Possibly, worth trying, but coach often still dramatically cheaper than even the best ticket splits.

Yep, problem is time and/or connecting, I'm pricing out the options myself and it just doesn't work for a trip of this length

 

[Broomhall Blade]

You can get train tickets for £94.90 still not cheap but better than £118.
If you are going with someone else get a two together railcard then its £125.50 for two plus £30 for the rail card for the year (it looks like there might be an offer on the rail card price possibly 34% discount).

 

[jt64]

You can get train tickets for £94.90 still not cheap but better than £118.
If you are going with someone else get a two together railcard then its £125.50 for two plus £30 for the rail card for the year (it looks like there might be an offer on the rail card price possibly 34% discount).

Yeah, in this instance if you're going with anyone then the railcard will pay for itself in one shot

Just had a quick look at the splitting site, seems like that'd bring it down to around the 70 quid mark, still not ideal but not the lol three figure price

 

[northsomersetblade]

I'll do it:

 

[Katzenjammer]

Cheers for the input everybody, I've decided to take the plunge.

Return journey with a 20% NHS staff discount means it only cost me £37. Can't grumble at all really.

 

[RecordBreakers]

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

Kaz's at birley £35 not sure of spaces can check tomoz if u want?

 

[Katzenjammer]

Kaz's at birley £35 not sure of spaces can check tomoz if u want?

It's alright, I've booked on now. Thanks for the offer though mate, appreciate it

 

[RecordBreakers]

Cheers for the input everybody, I've decided to take the plunge.

Return journey with a 20% NHS staff discount means it only cost me £37. Can't grumble at all really.

Have u already booked? Sorry didn't see this

 

[A_Bladesman]

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

"118£" is scandalous. It's just too expensive. See some of you at the game tomorrow.

 

[RecordBreakers]

It's alright, I've booked on now. Thanks for the offer though mate, appreciate it

No probs

 

[Katzenjammer]

"118£" is scandalous. It's just too expensive. See some of you at the game tomorrow.

Bonkers isn't it. And that's just one way!

 

[JJ Sefton]

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

Yes, to Portsmouth in the Prem. Pretty miserable journey but I read From Russia With Love on the way there and back.

 

[northsomersetblade]

Yes, to Portsmouth in the Prem. Pretty miserable journey but I read From Russia With Love on the way there and back.

Did you have red wine with your fish?

 

[Sheff de party]

I'm going away to Cardiff next week and it looks like my usual mode of travel (Handsworth Blades bus) isn't available, and I refuse to pay £118 for a train ticket.

Just wondering if National Express is a decent option?

Get a return from sheffield to derby for about £8 and a return from derby to Cardiff for £70. Still not the cheapest but a good amount cheaper than £118

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Get a return from sheffield to derby for about £8 and a return from derby to Cardiff for £70. Still not the cheapest but a good amount cheaper than £118

Bizarrely enough, sometimes rail journeys to places that are further away but pass through your actual destination on the way are cheaper.

If the rail workers get their hefty payrise guess who'll be paying for it?

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Only time I used National Travel was for the Spurs away match in our first season back last time in the Prem. Got on at Meadowhead around 7am and was in London about 3 hours later. Pre booked seat so you know it’s reserved, returned Sunday afternoon from Victoria coach park back to Meadowhead. Dead easy and cost around £30 if I remember correctly. Coach was clean and comfortable so I would definitely use that option for London matches.

 

[Bath Blade]

We went to forest away in the 90s, the bus stopped about 35 times between Sheffield and Nottingham... Got to have been a 4 hour trip or it seemed it, then every stop once we got past Dronfield had fans of Chesterfield, Derby, and Forest getting on, very intimidating journey and the way back was horrific, sweaty steamed up windows, with winners and losers getting on, it was bubbling (the threat of violence) under the surface all the way..

It was like the warriors getting the subway back to coney Island.


Pay the train fare.... Thank me later..

I reckon that would have been the Stagecoach. I used to get it to Sheffield from Nottingham most weekends when I was at university in the late nineties because it was so cheap (think it was about £2 return back in the day). Used to stop in all manner of places that I never knew existed but as a student I had all the time in the world but no money so it was perfect.

 

[Canterbury Blade]

Needless to say I'm praying for a win, just to make the journey worthwhile!

Personally I’d be praying that some sweaty, selfish, over weight, body odour monster carrying his fast food ration with clothes stinking of last nights beer and curry doesn’t wander up the aisle looking for the seat number next to you. Especially if they’re looking to make a ‘friend’ for the journey.

Strong advice is to buy 2 adjacent tickets if they’re that cheap to avoid me sitting next to you ….