Dellefyne Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Hi everyone! I've booked in the Hilton Doubletree for Collectormania from Friday to Saturday included, and I'm going to book a room in London for Sunday night to enjoy a day in London on Monday... Here's the thing: what do you think is the best way to travel from London to Milton Keynes? A bus? A train? I get to London by the Eurostar St Pancras on Friday morning, and I leave on Monday late in the afternoon, but I'll have to get back to London on Sunday (in case some means of transport don't work on Sundays in England) Hope you can help here!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators etmuse Posted February 12, 2010 Moderators Share Posted February 12, 2010 You can get a train from Milton Keynes direct to London Euston. And the timetable might be slightly limited on a Sunday but it will still run throughout the day. I don't know if a coach might be cheaper (or if they run on Sundays). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kel Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Train is the better option, but there have been a lot of engineering works recently. I would wait until nearer the time and check the train service before making a definite decision . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeDonovan Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Unless you're on a micro-budget, train is always the best option - straight up to MK from London, very quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 A micro-budget? Could be, if there are too many great announcements :) Anyway, thanks for your answers, I'll keep an eye on the websites to see when the fees are the lowest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Hi there, me again with new questions about the travel between London and MK. I've checked the trains, and I really can't afford them (even Virgin ones, which are still cheaper than some others) I'm going to book on National Express for a coach, but I'm not quite sure about several things: Once I get to Milton Keynes (I suppose I get to the train station in such a bus? Don't even know), there are free buses to take me up to the stadium, right? Do you know how long it takes from the train station to the stadium? Cause on Sunday I want to stay until the closure time at the con, which is at 5, and there is a bus at 6, but not sure if I can make it to the hotel to pick up my stuff and then take the free bus to the station in time... So you think it's possible? Or should I better book for the next bus? Hope you can help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazyKid197 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Hi there, me again with new questions about the travel between London and MK. I've checked the trains, and I really can't afford them (even Virgin ones, which are still cheaper than some others) I'm going to book on National Express for a coach, but I'm not quite sure about several things: Once I get to Milton Keynes (I suppose I get to the train station in such a bus? Don't even know), there are free buses to take me up to the stadium, right? Do you know how long it takes from the train station to the stadium? Cause on Sunday I want to stay until the closure time at the con, which is at 5, and there is a bus at 6, but not sure if I can make it to the hotel to pick up my stuff and then take the free bus to the station in time... So you think it's possible? Or should I better book for the next bus? Hope you can help! Most National Express coaches will take you to the coach station at the M1 junction. This is MILES from the train station. You'd need to get another bus to the train station (which would be a couple of pounds, not sure exact amount). Besides, you can get by looking around MK-London train tickets for approx £8-9. I've done it a number of times. Is National Express really cheaper than that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen_Sindel Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 The National Express busses stop at Milton Keynes Coachway, not at the train station. The main Coachway was being renovated last year, then the temporary bus stop was actually near Milton Keynes Centre (the shopping mall where the event used to be held). I'd need to check if it's back to the old location. The bus station that is, not the event. We don't have definite info on the free busses yet, but as far as I recall Jason said they will be back. The free busses stopped at the Centre too, so you might actually be better off to walk there if the Coachway is still in the temporary location. (I have never done it, but I was told it is easily walkable.) Most National Express coaches will take you to the coach station at the M1 junction. This is MILES from the train station. You'd need to get another bus to the train station (which would be a couple of pounds, not sure exact amount). So the bus station is back to its old location now? Busses to the train station where 1 pound, I think that was raised to 1.25 last year. Or you can call a taxi, that wasn't bad either. 7 pounds or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Besides, you can get by looking around MK-London train tickets for approx £8-9. I've done it a number of times. Is National Express really cheaper than that? Ouch, I didn't think that would be so complicated! On every website I looked into, the train tickets were more expensive than that... Which company do you usually use? The National Express busses stop at Milton Keynes Coachway, not at the train station. The main Coachway was being renovated last year, then the temporary bus stop was actually near Milton Keynes Centre (the shopping mall where the event used to be held). I'd need to check if it's back to the old location. The bus station that is, not the event. We don't have definite info on the free busses yet, but as far as I recall Jason said they will be back. The free busses stopped at the Centre too, so you might actually be better off to walk there if the Coachway is still in the temporary location. (I have never done it, but I was told it is easily walkable.) Most National Express coaches will take you to the coach station at the M1 junction. This is MILES from the train station. You'd need to get another bus to the train station (which would be a couple of pounds, not sure exact amount). So the bus station is back to its old location now? Busses to the train station where 1 pound, I think that was raised to 1.25 last year. Or you can call a taxi, that wasn't bad either. 7 pounds or something like that. Are you coming to MK, QS? And if yes, by plane I suppose? When you get to Heathrow, how do you come up to MK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazyKid197 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 (edited) The temporary location is in Campbell Park. I'm a good walker and it's a fair way. (Your talking the entire length of the shopping centre and another 10 minutes depending on where in Campbell park it is.) It took me well over an hour to walk from there to the train station (and I regularly walk the 3.5 miles from my place to Oxford centre in 45 minutes). Not sure if it's still there though... Edit: For train tickets? Now I use Virgin because I get annoyed by the stops, but Silverlink (now London Midlands) are much cheaper. And places like thetrainline.com give cheaper fares normally. Edited March 18, 2010 by KrazyKid197 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 The temporary location is in Campbell Park. I'm a good walker and it's a fair way. (Your talking the entire length of the shopping centre and another 10 minutes depending on where in Campbell park it is.) It took me well over an hour to walk from there to the train station (and I regularly walk the 3.5 miles from my place to Oxford centre in 45 minutes). Not sure if it's still there though... The walking part is not a very good option for me, anyway, cause I'll have all my luggage on my back.... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazyKid197 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 The walking part is not a very good option for me, anyway, cause I'll have all my luggage on my back.... :) I figured you might from the first post! Eek, well I hope you find something. If you want anymore advice (I grew up near MK and went down to London a lot. ;p) and no-one else can help - my e-mail is krazykid197 at gmail.com Kip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 But when you speak about £8-9 for the train tickets, which train company would it be? :) Anyway, thanks a lot for your email address, that might be useful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgen1975 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 But when you speak about £8-9 for the train tickets, which train company would it be? :) Anyway, thanks a lot for your email address, that might be useful If you check www.thetrainline.com, they will normally show the cheapest fares, about £14 return Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Thanks a lot! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 I checked you link, and I found this: off-peak return, £18,60. It is the cheapest I found so far. Not so bad actually But how do I know which trains are off peak, and which are not? Sorry to be so annoying, but I never used trains in the UK before, so I'm not really sure how things work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazyKid197 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Before 9am (or possibly 9.15am) on Monday- Friday is counted as peak time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Okay, it fits my Eurostar tickets then... Great! Thanks! I think I just made my mind, I'm gonna book those tickets tonight! :) (I really LOVE this forum and the people on it, everybody is being so nice and helpful!!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanggirl Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Don't book your train tickets on thetrainline.com - they will charge you a booking fee! Use www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk instead. They sell the same tickets but don't charge a booking fee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Don't book your train tickets on thetrainline.com - they will charge you a booking fee! Use www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk instead. They sell the same tickets but don't charge a booking fee! Thanks for the tip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen_Sindel Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Are you coming to MK, QS? And if yes, by plane I suppose? When you get to Heathrow, how do you come up to MK? Yes, I am planning to come to MK and yes, I will be flying. I always get the National Express bus myself. It's just too time consuming to get into London and take the train. From Coachway I always used to get a taxi to the hotels. It's always been two or three of us, and split through three the costs weren't bad. From temporary Coachway to the train station I'd think maybe 7 pounds if you call Skyline or one of the other pre-book companies. The MK bus system is really easy once you get the hang of it. But the busses are quite small, and if you have luggage this may get a bit... squished depending on the time you arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellefyne Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 (edited) Don't book your train tickets on thetrainline.com - they will charge you a booking fee! Use www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk instead. They sell the same tickets but don't charge a booking fee! Arf I just checked on their website but they don't deliver the tickets outside the UK.... Okay... thetrainline.com doesn't deliver outside the UK either... What am I supposed to do?? :'( Edited March 18, 2010 by Dellefyne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen_Sindel Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Let me check... when we took the train to Chevron from Birmingham there was a booking site that allowed us to pick up the tickets from a ticket printer at the train station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BretinFlorida Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Don't book your train tickets on thetrainline.com - they will charge you a booking fee! Use www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk instead. They sell the same tickets but don't charge a booking fee! Arf I just checked on their website but they don't deliver the tickets outside the UK.... I'm having a bit of the same dilemma. I'm coming into London via Eurostar from Brussels around noon on Sunday. I need to figure out the best way to get to MK - leaning towards train but since I don't know the country I'm not sure which to use, etc. My other worry is whether to stay overnight in MK or to take the train back to London after the show. My flight leaves Heathrow early Monday afternoon but I need to be there early as it's international back to the States. With Monday being a holiday I'm worried whether anything will be running early enough to get me to Heathrow by 10:00 AM or so. Any advice is appreciated! Looking forward to meeting some of you at the show! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen_Sindel Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Arf I just checked on their website but they don't deliver the tickets outside the UK.... Okay... thetrainline.com doesn't deliver outside the UK either... What am I supposed to do?? :'( We used thetrainline. Once you've registered you get the option: Self-service ticket machine You will need the payment card used and your collection reference. Tickets will be ready for collection 2 hours after booking. Worked like a charm for us. I'm having a bit of the same dilemma. I'm coming into London via Eurostar from Brussels around noon on Sunday. I need to figure out the best way to get to MK - leaning towards train but since I don't know the country I'm not sure which to use, etc. My other worry is whether to stay overnight in MK or to take the train back to London after the show. My flight leaves Heathrow early Monday afternoon but I need to be there early as it's international back to the States. With Monday being a holiday I'm worried whether anything will be running early enough to get me to Heathrow by 10:00 AM or so. Any advice is appreciated! Looking forward to meeting some of you at the show! If you're in London already I'd go with the train for the Sunday trip in: The Train Line They also have schedules. There may be sites without a booking fee, but I found this one to be easiest for international customers. For Monday I'd go with the bus, National Express has direct service to Heathrow. National Express If you rather go to London on Sunday or leave it to Monday is completely up to you. Early morning traffic into London can be horrendous. If you get nervous easily, try to get back Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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