Getting The Train

[j-j-j-j-joe!]

Anyone ever got the train before? If so, which station is nearest and how near to the actual sit is it? Am I likely to have to get the bus?

I've only ever driven before, so some advice would be appreciated.

PS. This is Reading I'm talking about.

Edited August 19, 2011 by j-j-j-j-joe!

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I've got the train a few times. It's really not that far. I've always made the train back, most of the time, not even the last one.

[therefused]

there is also a shuttle bus system which charges a quid a person, only takes about 15 minutes if i remember correctly.

[weirdfish]

walk it from the station

soak up the atmosphere more, and i arrived faster by walking than my mate who queued for a bus

[j...rox]

The walk isnt too bad at all, just turn right out of the station then right again. Takes about another 10 minutes to Richfield Avenue and turn left. Town is easy to get to from the site if needed, even went to a collegues leaving do on the Thursday night last year.

[johnmcga]

What they all said - the walk to the site is 15 - 20 minutes, although I'd have thought it could easily take the same again to find a spot for your tent once you're in. It's probably not worth waiting for the shuttle bus.

[mrtourette]

It isn't much further from Reading West either, you just come down Richfield Avenue from the opposite direction. Although the walk from the main station is better for atmosphere.

Also be warned the main station on the Monday is a nightmare and you'll be queueing to get into the station even before fighting to get on trains.

[Guess Who]

What about leeds is it the same again shuttle bus or taxi? Again I have only driven before

[glasto-worker]

Its about 2 mins in the taxi or 15 by foot. Choose carefully, in my experience the taxi is worth it especially if you can split the cost between a few of you. Dont be afraid to ask randoms if you need to make up the numbers in your taxi.

[headshrinker1979]

as said above the walk is about 15-20 mins,not a bad walk and again as said above the monday morning rush at the station is mental, thats the only thing that stops me going be train again

Edited August 20, 2011 by headshrinker1979

[Bisque]

If you don't fancy queueing on Monday, just stay up all night Sunday or set an early alarm & be out of the festival site by 7am. Had no problem getting a ticket & strolling onto a train (with all the morning commuters going to work) doing this but means you'll feel like turd & be knackered all Monday.

[johnmcga]

If you don't fancy queueing on Monday, just stay up all night Sunday or set an early alarm & be out of the festival site by 7am. Had no problem getting a ticket & strolling onto a train (with all the morning commuters going to work) doing this but means you'll feel like turd & be knackered all Monday.

[Bisque]

Probably a good shout actually, although are you sure you didn't oversleep and wake up on the Tuesday? You don't get many commuters passing through Reading station on a normal Bank Holiday!

[The Mean Bean]

What about leeds is it the same again shuttle bus or taxi? Again I have only driven before

[weirdfish]

I got a train at 12 on the Monday and it was barely busy. Just chill in the campsite until it's almost closed, finish any remaining alcohol or drugs and then leave.

[Reading Local]

It should also be mentioned that those getting the train to Reading everything has changed somewhat as they are currently starting/undergoing a massive redevelopment of the the station and platforms/lines/surrounding area and basically as a result - taxis are not gotten where they used to be as all the roads had to be re-marked due to changes in traffic flow as no buses run from the station now and where you get the taxis from has changed as well, the road that you walk down from the station was closed off to traffic by loads of portocabins that have been put there as part of the building work & this has been all boarded off, don't worry its fine to walk around etc...just be prepared for the outside area of the main entrance of Reading station to look a bit different than what your used to seeing every year

[Calzum]

What about leeds is it the same again shuttle bus or taxi? Again I have only driven before

[gooner1990]

Another tip is to have your ticket for your return leg BEFORE monday. I usually buy mine on the Sunday as I can't get a period return as I live too close (Oxford).

When you arrive it means you only have to queue up to get in the Station and not for a ticket and can mean a 30 min queue turns into 2 hrs.