Newbie question USA to UK

On Jan 29, 12:19 pm, Roland Perry <rol... DeleteThis @perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <WSh*dw...@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:03:24 on Tue,
> 29 Jan 2008, Theo Markettos <theom+n...@chiark.greenend.org.uk>
> remarked:
>
> >I don't know how the OP's planning to get from the airport to Devon, but
> >here are some train connections.
>
> They said that they were being collected by friends.
> --
> Roland Perry

Agreed: but I am sure that these friends would be delighted if their
visitor turned up at the local railway station and spared them the
long drive. Petrol (gasoline) costs very much more here than in the
USA, and driving conditions are more difficult so that driving is a
good deal more tiring. A round trip between Devon and Heathrow (and
even more so for Gatwick) is an exhausting and expensive ordeal.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

david_r98.RemoveThis@hotmail.com wrote:
> I live in Exeter, near to Newton Abbot. Heathrow is a long way from
> here; Gatwick is even further. See if you can get a single ticket
> (probably involving a change of 'planes in New York) that will take
> you to Bristol. Or, remember that NorthWest are linked to KLM
> (Holland), which is generally a better airline. You could try to
> cross the Atlantic on a flight operated by KLM, change 'planes in
> Amsterdam, and from there KLM flies to a number of airports in
> different parts of England. Unless they service Plymouth, Bristol is
> still your best bet, but check out Cardiff and Southampton as well.

I don't know how the OP's planning to get from the airport to Devon, but
here are some train connections. All based on weekday trains travelling
today, if you're going on a weekend or Bank Holiday journies may be extended
due to fewer trains or engineering works (but May is too far off to find out
the planned works):

Birmingham: Birmingham International (airport station) to Newton Abbot, 1
change at Birmingham New St (big and confusing station), about 3h30.

Heathrow: bus to Reading, direct train to Newton Abbot (3h30-45)
Or, more expensive: Heathrow Express to Paddington, direct train to Newton
Abbot (3h15-3h30)

Gatwick: train to Reading, change, train to Newton Abbot (3h30-4h)

Cardiff: shuttle bus, train to Bridgend/Cardiff Central, train to Bristol
Parkway/Temple Meads, train to Newton Abbot. (3h30-4h)

Bristol: bus to Bristol Temple Meads (30m) plus direct train (1h20), total
say 2h-2h30.


Train times and prices at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ Generally the
further or faster you go, the more expensive it will be. Much more
expensive if you travel before about 9-10am on working weekdays or out of
London on weekdays 4-7pm.

If they're collecting you by car, I suspect it might be possible to beat the
times for Cardiff or Bristol, but nowhere further away.

Buses will probably be cheaper but slower, have a look at
http://www.nationalexpress.com/ if you want times and fares.

Theo
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message <WSh*dw85r@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:03:24 on Tue,
29 Jan 2008, Theo Markettos <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk>
remarked:
>I don't know how the OP's planning to get from the airport to Devon, but
>here are some train connections.

They said that they were being collected by friends.
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message
<8813a1b6-fb47-444e-adec-f9616fd6d918 DeleteThis @v46g2000hsv.googlegroups.com>, at
06:20:32 on Tue, 29 Jan 2008, david_r98 DeleteThis @hotmail.com remarked:
>> >I don't know how the OP's planning to get from the airport to Devon, but
>> >here are some train connections.
>>
>> They said that they were being collected by friends.
>
>Agreed: but I am sure that these friends would be delighted if their
>visitor turned up at the local railway station and spared them the
>long drive. Petrol (gasoline) costs very much more here than in the
>USA, and driving conditions are more difficult so that driving is a
>good deal more tiring. A round trip between Devon and Heathrow (and
>even more so for Gatwick) is an exhausting and expensive ordeal.

I've been suggesting they try flying via Amsterdam to Birmingham, in
which case both the drive and any alternative train trip would be
easier. But let's not try to entirely run this lady's life for her
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Roland Perry" <roland DeleteThis @perry.co.uk> wrote in message
news:EbBgBs6h5znHFA$Z@perry.co.uk...
> In message
> <8813a1b6-fb47-444e-adec-f9616fd6d918 DeleteThis @v46g2000hsv.googlegroups.com>, at
> 06:20:32 on Tue, 29 Jan 2008, david_r98 DeleteThis @hotmail.com remarked:
>>> >I don't know how the OP's planning to get from the airport to Devon,
>>> >but
>>> >here are some train connections.
>>>
>>> They said that they were being collected by friends.
>>
>>Agreed: but I am sure that these friends would be delighted if their
>>visitor turned up at the local railway station and spared them the
>>long drive. Petrol (gasoline) costs very much more here than in the
>>USA, and driving conditions are more difficult so that driving is a
>>good deal more tiring. A round trip between Devon and Heathrow (and
>>even more so for Gatwick) is an exhausting and expensive ordeal.
>
> I've been suggesting they try flying via Amsterdam to Birmingham, in which
> case both the drive and any alternative train trip would be easier. But
> let's not try to entirely run this lady's life for her
> --
> Roland Perry

Have you got shares in Birmingham Airport? Why route them via Birmingham
when Bristol is so much nearer. They can still go via Amsterdam!
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

In message <r82dnVYsR8wKEQLanZ2dnUVZ8qSnnZ2d RemoveThis @bt.com>, at 20:29:04 on
Tue, 29 Jan 2008, Graham Harrison
<edward.obvious.harrison1 RemoveThis @btinternet.obvious.com> remarked:
>Have you got shares in Birmingham Airport? Why route them via Birmingham
>when Bristol is so much nearer. They can still go via Amsterdam!

I'm more familiar with the AMS-BHX flights, that's all. But yes, they
can also use Bristol.
--
Roland Perry
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"C. Nicholson" <noshohcin1 RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:P6anj.262$Tb6.11@trndny07...
>
> "Roland Perry" >
>
>> Why only Gatwick or Heathrow? Where is your ultimate destination?
>> Birmingham could be just as good an airport, or possibly Stansted (fewer
>> flights but you might get a "deal" from Delta).
>> --
>> Roland Perry
>
> Thanks for the input Roland. The reason for Gatwick or Heathrow is that
> friends living in
> Stokeinteignhead,
> Newton Abbot,
> Devon,
> are picking us up. They were the two airports they suggested.
>
> This will be our first trip over to that side of the big 'pond' (ocean) so
> I'm looking over what options are out there and how to proceed.
> Northworst?

Cheryl, don't worry. Northwest isn't bad transatlantic. Average, but not
bad. Every airline seems to have a nickname these days, and economy class
is economy class. If Northwest has a nonstop and a decent fare, they're
preferable to somebody else who has you changing in Newark, Philadelphia,
Boston, JFK, etc.

Jeff

> huh? Does not sound promising. I'll look into the other airports you
> mentioned and see what the possibilities are.
>
>
> Thanks for your quick response.
> Cheryl
>
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"Jeff" <> wrote in message
> Cheryl, don't worry. Northwest isn't bad transatlantic. Average, but not
> bad. Every airline seems to have a nickname these days, and economy class
> is economy class. If Northwest has a nonstop and a decent fare, they're
> preferable to somebody else who has you changing in Newark, Philadelphia,
> Boston, JFK, etc.

Thanks Jeff. I missed a good price on Northwest yesterday. I'm using
buzz.kayak to send me email when prices change. But I was out to town so
missed it (681.00), it is back up to 750 plus now. I'll see what happens by
next Tuesday. No one come close to Northwest prices. Perhaps it is because
they had gone into reorganization to avoid bankruptcies at one point. (if I
recall that info correctly)

Cheryl
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK 

"C. Nicholson" <noshohcin1.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:dqsoj.23897$8i.19324@trndny09...
>
> "Jeff" <> wrote in message
>> Cheryl, don't worry. Northwest isn't bad transatlantic. Average, but
>> not bad. Every airline seems to have a nickname these days, and economy
>> class is economy class. If Northwest has a nonstop and a decent fare,
>> they're preferable to somebody else who has you changing in Newark,
>> Philadelphia, Boston, JFK, etc.
>
> Thanks Jeff. I missed a good price on Northwest yesterday. I'm using
> buzz.kayak to send me email when prices change. But I was out to town so
> missed it (681.00), it is back up to 750 plus now. I'll see what happens
> by next Tuesday. No one come close to Northwest prices. Perhaps it is
> because they had gone into reorganization to avoid bankruptcies at one
> point. (if I recall that info correctly)
>
> Cheryl
>
actually they spent 2 years in Bankruptcy court under Chapter 11 and came
out early in 2007. They can be very competitive at times though,
particularly on a route out of Detroit, which is their fortress hub.
 >> Stay informed about: Newbie question USA to UK