to Coach or to Train!

[Phil-itfc]

so the deposit is paid and I'm looking to pay up in full next month. question is do I get the coach and ticket package or just get a ticket and get the trian.

Last year I went with the train option on the wednesday and was stuck in the epic 5 hour que at castle cory. however I have heard some stories of peoples coaches getting to glasto very late or dropping people off miles from the site.

I'm comming from essex if that makes any difference.

[geztival_09]

I've paid deposit and looking at getting the coach. I'd prefer that because at least there your luggage is safe, whereas on the train I've always been paranoid of people taking the wrong bag away lol. Also, on the train it seems more packed so at least with coach all your stuff is tucked away in the cargo hold.

I think there is a free shuttle bus service from the train near Glastonbury so I suppose neither is better than the other

Edited October 4, 2009 by geztival_09

[roseyrose]

This year we got the coach as my boyfriend has travelled by train for the past few years and was fed up with the queues and getting on and off trains laden down with luggage and tent etc......we were on the coach for almost 13 hours this year and we have vowed never to get it again!

I know there are always going to be queues, they are unavoidable but at least when travelling by train you keep moving and are not trapped on a coach all day.

I have only ever gone in a car or got the coach but next year we will be getting the train as all of the people who have done both say the train is more bearable and the queues are only towards the end of the journey rather than for most of it! I know the traffic was exceptionally bad this year but i still dont EVER want a repeat of that journey, we completely missed the whole of the first day!

[Bobs]

Anyone get the coach from liverpool?

If so, how much it cost?

[Phil-itfc]

This year we got the coach as my boyfriend has travelled by train for the past few years and was fed up with the queues and getting on and off trains laden down with luggage and tent etc......we were on the coach for almost 13 hours this year and we have vowed never to get it again!

I know there are always going to be queues, they are unavoidable but at least when travelling by train you keep moving and are not trapped on a coach all day.

I have only ever gone in a car or got the coach but next year we will be getting the train as all of the people who have done both say the train is more bearable and the queues are only towards the end of the journey rather than for most of it! I know the traffic was exceptionally bad this year but i still dont EVER want a repeat of that journey, we completely missed the whole of the first day!

[Dark Star]

The queue at Castle Cary was due to severe traffic backlogs due to fatal RTA's on the M5 and M4 meaning that these were closed and people needed to resort to the A roads to get about. Consequently, in all this traffic the festival buses got held up and weren't able to flow as freely as normal. The queue wasn't fun but it was no fault of Network Rail or any of the train operating companies. The station staff at Castle Cary were pretty cool with the whole thing to be honest, very friendly and helpful.

2010 will be my 7th Glastonbury and every year I've travelled by train to Castle Cary and I've never encountered problems getting in before. Only getting out of the festival in 2007 but that's a whole other story entirely!

[TheBigJT]

I'm coming from a long way away and not very familiar with the area or the process of getting there. (Yep, another stupid American...)

Is there any benefit to getting into the area a day early and spending the night somewhere? I looked on a map and saw that Yeovil isn't too far away. (Oddly enough, I was in Yeovil last December, so I know how to get there...)

So, would it make any sense to stay in someplace within say 25 miles of the site and use local transport to the gate (taxi?) on Wednesday. Or, am I better off taking a coach or train direct from London?

This is my first festival, so pardon me if my questions are sort of basic.

About the closest thing we have here is Coachella, which I've avoided due to traffic and the fact it's in the DESERT and hot as hell most years...

[paulo999]

Personally I would go for the day before option.

Yes you could take an early train from London, but that will probably be (much) more expensive because you can't use an off peak fare.

I would stay in Glastonbury Town. It's a slightly awkward journey (train to Bristol then bus), but otherwise fairly painless. There are two campsites - Old Oaks and Isle of Avalon. Both will be full of people doing the same thing, so you need to book ASAP.

From there you can either take a taxi (again, book in advance) or there should be a bus service from the centre of the town to the main gate. Note that taxis have to use the drop off point which is several miles away. A free bus runs from there to festival.

Either way, you can be there ahead of the crowds and not potentially lose a day stuck in queues.

[TheBigJT]

Personally I would go for the day before option.

Yes you could take an early train from London, but that will probably be (much) more expensive because you can't use an off peak fare.

I would stay in Glastonbury Town. It's a slightly awkward journey (train to Bristol then bus), but otherwise fairly painless. There are two campsites - Old Oaks and Isle of Avalon. Both will be full of people doing the same thing, so you need to book ASAP.

From there you can either take a taxi (again, book in advance) or there should be a bus service from the centre of the town to the main gate. Note that taxis have to use the drop off point which is several miles away. A free bus runs from there to festival.

Either way, you can be there ahead of the crowds and not potentially lose a day stuck in queues.

[reni]

This year we got the coach as my boyfriend has travelled by train for the past few years and was fed up with the queues and getting on and off trains laden down with luggage and tent etc......we were on the coach for almost 13 hours this year and we have vowed never to get it again!

I know there are always going to be queues, they are unavoidable but at least when travelling by train you keep moving and are not trapped on a coach all day.

I have only ever gone in a car or got the coach but next year we will be getting the train as all of the people who have done both say the train is more bearable and the queues are only towards the end of the journey rather than for most of it! I know the traffic was exceptionally bad this year but i still dont EVER want a repeat of that journey, we completely missed the whole of the first day!

[emmacollege]

The queue at Castle Cary was due to severe traffic backlogs due to fatal RTA's on the M5 and M4 meaning that these were closed and people needed to resort to the A roads to get about. Consequently, in all this traffic the festival buses got held up and weren't able to flow as freely as normal. The queue wasn't fun but it was no fault of Network Rail or any of the train operating companies. The station staff at Castle Cary were pretty cool with the whole thing to be honest, very friendly and helpful.

2010 will be my 7th Glastonbury and every year I've travelled by train to Castle Cary and I've never encountered problems getting in before. Only getting out of the festival in 2007 but that's a whole other story entirely!

[ukslim]

Yes, Glasto is better than Reading.

On coach vs train -- I'd say go for whichever gives you the easiest journey from wherever you happen to live. For me, it's a mission to get to any of the coach stations, but Leamington train station's a hop and a skip from my house. For you, it might be different.

[geztival_09]

Anyone get the coach from liverpool?

If so, how much it cost?

[HurrahBrother]

If you get the train, you change to a coach at Castle Cary. All the coaches drop off at the same spot.

Now for some, transport links means the train is a better option.

For me, and those like me who have to travel into London to go out again (paddintgton/reading etc) then the coach is a lot less mucking about (once your on the coach).

If anyone has to to Waterloo or Victoria, there is a bus to the coach station from just outside both (note, Victoria coach station is not as close to the train station as you would think. And with all that kit, it is even further).

If you are coming into London from elsewhere, for train or coach, there is a fair few places to stay the night to break up the journey and get an early start, some are quite affordable (there is a backpackers hostel in Piccadilly for example).

as to closer, Castle Cary is not really near anywhere. Last few years they ran a shuttle bus service from Bristol Temple Meads station as well, so if they are running it again this year, a night in bristol may be a fair plan.

Edited October 5, 2009 by HurrahBrother

[bunchy]

Coach was pretty bad this year,it took us 15 hours to get on onsite from Newcastle.

However I'm adopting the attitude that they have to do something major to address the traffic issue next year.Hopefully this should improve matters.

Other that that I hope NatX make it a 5:00 am departue rather than 7:30am(which ended up 8:00.am )

[Phil-itfc]

Next year the NE coach from Carlisle is leaving at 02:50am in the morning on Wednesday (get to site 10:30am ish), so I think a lot of coaches will be setting off much earlier after the delays of this year.

[bunchy]

where are the coach times avalible?

[ukslim]

Yeah, it totally depends where you start.

Just look at both, get the costs, work out the changes.

Either way, you end up right at the gate. With the train, you hop onto a free shuttle at Castle Cary to get there.

[guyfawkes]

I'm coming from a long way away and not very familiar with the area or the process of getting there. (Yep, another stupid American...)

Is there any benefit to getting into the area a day early and spending the night somewhere? I looked on a map and saw that Yeovil isn't too far away. (Oddly enough, I was in Yeovil last December, so I know how to get there...)

So, would it make any sense to stay in someplace within say 25 miles of the site and use local transport to the gate (taxi?) on Wednesday. Or, am I better off taking a coach or train direct from London?

This is my first festival, so pardon me if my questions are sort of basic.

About the closest thing we have here is Coachella, which I've avoided due to traffic and the fact it's in the DESERT and hot as hell most years...

[Phil-itfc]

On the National Express website...don't know if there's a full list, I only looked at and booked the journey I wanted. You will have to click on the 'festivals' bit because it will not let you look for coach tickets using the journey search thingy because Glasto is further than 6 months.

See you in June!

[Rufus Gwertigan]

From Manchester I did the train to Bristol option then Bus. Cost me £24 in total for a single. I didn't book a return as I thought I would see if I could get a lift share, and I managed one to Rochdale, but had offers within the first day as far as Derby

[skatalite]

I will probably get the train from Southampton to Yeovil, pop in and see some family. And get the bus from there.

The cheapest return ticket, Southampton to Castle Cary is £9.00.

Looking at the national express prices, what a joke £42.50.

[jameshunt]

I will probably get the train from Southampton to Yeovil, pop in and see some family. And get the bus from there.

The cheapest return ticket, Southampton to Castle Cary is £9.00.

Looking at the national express prices, what a joke £42.50.

[skatalite]

Anyone you know, or just a random family?

Edited October 7, 2009 by skatalite

[facial_hair]

It'll be my first year... we've just booked on the coach from London (right outside my house, which is nice).

I'm wondering where the coach drop off is? We're all arrving in different ways - coach, train, car etc - so we're wondering where the best spot might be to meet for camping.

According to NE i'll be at the campsite by 11.30, which I do hope gives me enough time to meet, get set up and be a couple of drinks deep by the time the England game kicks off on the Wednesday!

Happy days.