We will be flying direct into Heathrow and from there to Cardiff.
We had planned on taking the train as the primary plan, with driving as a backup, but I saw that Megabus runs to Cardiff. Anyone have any opinions on taking the bus versus the train? If the busses are a no go for some reason, I’ll leave renting a car as the backup plan if the trains fall through.
Here in the US, the bus tends to not be the preferred method of travel if you have another way to get there (car or plane). Usually it’s due to the long travel time between destinations in the US, and the other passengers can be…eccentric. How is long distance bus travel in the UK?
Take the bus. For the love of all that is holy. Take. The. Bus.
I’m sorry @tempusmurphy, I’m all for supporting each others professional lives but the train in the uk is the first vehicle I’ve ever wanted to throw myself underneath, rather than continuing the journey
If your heart is set on public transport and there’s no rail strikes when you are travelling, I’d take the train.
Heathrow Express to Paddington, then the fast train to Cardiff. It takes around 1h40 - 2 hrs, depending on which time you take. The fast train rarely has issues.
The mega bus will take at least double that and you won’t be as comfy.
Personally I’d bin public transport and hire your car from Heathrow. It’s around 2h30 from Cardiff by car. You are master of your own destiny.
This is the way and no offence taken … I personally hate using the trains and would always drive … it just is easier … and with a bit of i insider knowledge of how easily the system gets screwed , and with the price… I would always recommend NOT using trains,
Should you take the train, it is sometimes possible to get cheap (£5/20) upgrades to first class. Better more spacious seats, meals/snacks/drinks included. At major stations access to a comfortable lounge
I would hire a car. I use the train to go to central London because there is no convenient coach and it takes an hour compared with 6 hours.
I had to use the train for the first time in many years in 2020 and it was very refreshingly pleasant. Normally I would avoid trains for reasons stated by the others, but if they are working okay, I actually always liked traveling with them.
When my Dad was stationed in Scotland, right up on the north coast, it used to take two days to get home on leave from Germany and though I did drive once (and broke down in the Highlands!) it was much more pleasant on the trains, as I got to see a lot more wonderful countryside and iconic architecture enroute and didn’t have to worry about anything other than relaxing and enjoying the view!
Of course, times have changed and I wouldn’t want to be dependent on the trains regularly, but for now and then I wouldn’t shun them.
I had a traumatising experience on a train in 2021. I recounted it on mudspike at the time
The only way I will ever get on rails again will be at gunpoint. I don’t cope very well on public transport at the best of times. But my god, I could of gone full Michael Douglas that day
and no offence taken … I personally hate using the trains and would always drive … it just is easier … and with a bit of i insider knowledge of how easily the system gets screwed , and with the price… I would always recommend NOT using trains,
