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Original poster

London appointment on 3rd Jan - no trains. No way round it?

253 replies

MulledWineAndMingePies · 27/12/2022 11:28

We have been waiting for this appointment for about 6 years.
It's a huge huge, life changing, potentially life saving appointment and I've just seen there is train strikes on that day.

Im trying to figure out coaches or buses but and I'm searching and Googling but getting no answers.

Can anyone help? It's Brighton to London waterloo, or specifically St Thomas hospital.

Are there coach replacements or is that not ok because that's usually provided by the rail isn't it?
I can't believe our bloody luck

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Theimpossiblegirl · 27/12/2022 13:27

I don't understand why people are being so snippy and aggressive. The poor op is obviously stressed and this isn't a shipping trip or going to see a show. It's a long awaited medical appointment and she obviously has a lot on her plate.

User923081 · 27/12/2022 13:29

Theimpossiblegirl · 27/12/2022 13:27

I don't understand why people are being so snippy and aggressive. The poor op is obviously stressed and this isn't a shipping trip or going to see a show. It's a long awaited medical appointment and she obviously has a lot on her plate.

But what did she expect MN to do about it? She has google like the rest of us. Did she just want to rant about trains being cancelled? It's shit but it's supposed to be inconvenient that's kindof the point....

saraclara · 27/12/2022 13:31

OP can get a train in the morning, and possibly back again, (the last one is at 17:50)

The train only takes an hour so is probably the better option in the morning at least, to get there in time.

London appointment on 3rd Jan - no trains. No way round it?

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Clymene · 27/12/2022 13:31

Theimpossiblegirl · 27/12/2022 13:27

I don't understand why people are being so snippy and aggressive. The poor op is obviously stressed and this isn't a shipping trip or going to see a show. It's a long awaited medical appointment and she obviously has a lot on her plate.

Because it's frustrating when you're trying to help someone and you can clearly see there are coaches and they're adamant there aren't any! I suspect if she had said she was dyslexic earlier, it would have been very helpful.

Lovegossip · 27/12/2022 13:32

A quick search shows a C10 bus from Victoria Coach Station to St Thomas Hospital takes 20 minutes

givethistokevin · 27/12/2022 13:36

@saraclara

Does that search take into consideration the strike?

ingatestonequestions · 27/12/2022 13:38

I don’t know if you’re sorted now but if not, I tend to drive to the end of an underground line and then take the tube.

Oldermum80 · 27/12/2022 13:38

Hi I may be assuming but is it the Evelina for DBS?
We have similar issues, but it’s because we are so far away so we have to stay over. If it’s what I’ve mentioned above they can maybe provide accommodation for you. It’s very basic but could then mean you may have the opportunity to stay until you could travel back.

7eleven · 27/12/2022 13:40

For an appointment that is so important, there’s absolutely no way I’d risk travelling up on the day, especially at the moment.

JenniferBooth · 27/12/2022 13:40

Oh yes @TrentCrimm I forgot it was free

Pigsears · 27/12/2022 13:41

I would not get a coach or drive to London. I would get a train the night before and stay somewhere like Point A Waterloo. Its cheaper than most (although at £108 per night is not super cheap..)- and, with normal mobility is 10-15 mins walk- or 2 bus stops (if the busses arent on strike..)

I would then get a coach back- as you aren't time bound after the appointment.

I would not drive because this is the first week back after hols and lots of people returning to school / work this week. Roads will be busier. Car parking at a premium. St T is inside ULEZ and I believe CC too.. which on top of car hire and parking is very expensive.

AmazonPrim · 27/12/2022 13:43

Are there tube strikes too or just train? Sorry if this has been mentioned somewhere. But you could always drive to an area in South London with a tube station and then park somewhere nearby, get the tube to the appointment and back and then drive home

TheYummyPatler · 27/12/2022 13:43

MulledWineAndMingePies · 27/12/2022 11:59

Oh my God! Really? I could frigging cry. I really hope this is the case!

My car is currently fubarred and sat outside a garage waiting for a part.

The amount of bad luck we have had the last few weeks is ridiculous

Show quote history

If you can drive, just hire a car.

EmmaAgain22 · 27/12/2022 13:43

Clymene · 27/12/2022 13:31

Because it's frustrating when you're trying to help someone and you can clearly see there are coaches and they're adamant there aren't any! I suspect if she had said she was dyslexic earlier, it would have been very helpful.

Show quote history

I'm not dyslexic and am dreadful at finding things online

OP, I hope everything goes well for you, please don't be put off asking if you need help with anything else. Flowers

Sisisimone · 27/12/2022 13:45

cloudsandream do you know what a nonce is?

Beautiful3 · 27/12/2022 13:45

I'd stay at a hotel nearby, within walking distance. Even if you're stuck there for a week, with strikes. If this appointment is needed, that's what I'd do.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 27/12/2022 13:46

AmazonPrim · 27/12/2022 13:43

Are there tube strikes too or just train? Sorry if this has been mentioned somewhere. But you could always drive to an area in South London with a tube station and then park somewhere nearby, get the tube to the appointment and back and then drive home

A previous PP said not however looking at TFL they are saying that there will be disruption to Circle, District and Bakerloo lines. Doesn’t explicitly state what the expectation for services on those lines is though.

TrentCrimm · 27/12/2022 13:46

JenniferBooth · 27/12/2022 13:40

Oh yes @TrentCrimm I forgot it was free

She'd have been paying train fares, or for fuel, if driving? The cost element of this is unchanged.

SleepingStandingUp · 27/12/2022 13:47

@MulledWineAndMingePies hope you've found a coach. I'd be inclined to catch a late coach up the night before to cover shit happening, then get the return for the evening. That way you can sleep well knowing you're in the right city. Good luck

Sisisimone · 27/12/2022 13:48

Sounds like the appointment is incredibly important. There's no way I'd be fucking around with coaches or risking the train on a strike day. Too much stress and risk of missing the appointment. I'd book the travel inn near to the hospital the night before then book the coach back for after the appointment

saraclara · 27/12/2022 13:49

givethistokevin · 27/12/2022 13:36

@saraclara

Does that search take into consideration the strike?

Yes.
Obviously there will be caveats, but that is the planned, reduced timetable on that day.

Obviously if I could run to it, I'd feel safer going up the night before and coaching it home, in OP's situation. But there is a reduced service running.

EasterIsland · 27/12/2022 13:51

NationalExpress of course or local buses and Tube

Growlybear83 · 27/12/2022 13:53

Why not hire a car? There is a car park at St Thomas' and I've never had trouble getting a space.

Shoecleaner · 27/12/2022 13:56

If this is as important as you make out, I'd not be relying on public transport and I would hire a car.

Goingforarun · 27/12/2022 13:58

This thread has bought out unbelievable nastiness on an innocuous question. There are trains running from Gatwick to Victoria so presumably from Brighton as well. you will get there