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Original poster

What time would you arrive?

28 replies

PipersDream · 25/09/2023 08:00

DD has an event coming up. Never been to the city before so will need to navigate buses and find the actual hall, which is shown as 5 minutes walk from the closest bus stop.
Equipment check opens at 930.
Registration on site closes at 1015. Arrival after this time means you're not let in.
Starts at 1030.

You have a 3 hour journey with at least 3 changes. What time would you aim to get there (closest bus stop)?

OP posts:
Toomuchtrouble4me · 25/09/2023 08:02

Night before in an air b&b right next to venue

Sirzy · 25/09/2023 08:03

The night before with enough time to find the location that night so your confident where to go

KnickerlessParsons · 25/09/2023 08:04

Also night before.

AlwaysPrettyOnTheInside · 25/09/2023 08:04

9.45/10

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 25/09/2023 08:05

If not the night before, I'd allow 30 minutes' leeway to account for potential difficulties navigating, late buses etc.

NotFastButFurious · 25/09/2023 08:05

Yeah, 3 hours plus allowance for anything going wrong would probably prompt me to book accommodation the night before! Can you even get public transport from 3 hours away to be there in time that early?

Flatandhappy · 25/09/2023 08:05

You really need to be there 9.30/9.45 so I would second the suggestion of arriving the night before if you can. You would want to be very confident in your public transport with such an early start and so many changes.

AlwaysPrettyOnTheInside · 25/09/2023 08:06

Actually, would there be a queue to get in that might mean she'd miss the 10.15 cut off?

I'd aim for 9.30 then.

AlwaysPrettyOnTheInside · 25/09/2023 08:06

But will transport run that early?

Yeah a travelodge etc might be better.

Cheeesus · 25/09/2023 08:08

Depends how often the buses are. If she allows a spare bus at every point then that seems like it will give a really early start.

PurpleRadish · 25/09/2023 08:08

I'd leave at 6am I think but I'm.not known for being good with time.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/09/2023 08:11

3 hours travelling for an event that will close to admissions at 10.30am? I'm a confident navigator and even I'd go the night before.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/09/2023 08:13

What are the timings of the various buses, and are they fixed guaranteed departures (eg coaches) or juts bog standard, always late, public buses.

Original poster
PipersDream · 25/09/2023 08:27

We would be able to get train/bus arriving at 818 or 917. Those have a direct train and shortest travel time.

Else there's a train bus combo which adds 25 minutes travel time arriving at 859 or 1000.

We'd have to leave home around 530 to arrive at 818.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 25/09/2023 08:33

If you do decide to travel on the day then I would aim to leave early enough to you have at least one alternative if things do go to plan. So aim to be there at 8.18 meaning 9.17 is the back up.

Original poster
PipersDream · 25/09/2023 08:40

There is one arriving at 10.00 but with 5 minutes walk plus finding the place I think that is too tight as a back up isn't it?
This is driving me crazy! Need to balance leaving enough time to get there with leaving as late as possible so DD isn't exhausted before it even starts. DH says staying over would be ridiculous as it's only 45 mins wake up before her usual school wake up and there are trains running.

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 25/09/2023 08:41

Does she have any friends going that you can car share with?

Original poster
PipersDream · 25/09/2023 08:44

@CurlewKate no, she's the only one in her age group. The others in her class are all the day before as they're older which means they have more train options as it's a Saturday.

OP posts:
Hummingbird233 · 25/09/2023 08:47

Is DH the one taking her? No? Then his opinion is largely irrelevant.

if you can afford to miss it, then I'd do the trip that gets you there at 9.17.

If you can't afford to miss it, then I really would stay the night before. Public transport is especially unreliable now.

Do you drive and just don't have access to a car? Or do you not drive?

pizzaHeart · 25/09/2023 08:47

10 am is not an option, it’s too late.
I usually go one train earlier then seems ok and one bus earlier then seems ok.
The one arriving at 9.17 seems ok and then 5 minutes walk but can you be sure that it won’t be cancelled? For this reason I would go for the one arriving at 8.59.

Wendysfriend · 25/09/2023 08:48

Can you not stay the night before? No early rise and be relaxed when you get there and time to find out where the place is.

If you travel on the day, I'd go with the 8.18, just in case anything happens, traffic, delays etc

You could check out Google maps street view now to find out where the place is exactly.

pizzaHeart · 25/09/2023 08:52

I think if the only thing that stops you staying night before is DH’s opinion… Ignore him. He is not traveling, he is not taking part and I bet who won’t be the one to deal with tears in case if something goes wrong.
Don’t know about your area but Sunday around here is notorious for arranging roadworks and often a bit last minute. So if possible to stay the night it’s better.

Original poster
PipersDream · 25/09/2023 08:53

@Wendysfriend It's a massive sports complex. I can see it on maps, but know from experience you can walk around forever trying to find the way into the correct rooms!

OP posts:
Wendysfriend · 25/09/2023 08:55

PipersDream · 25/09/2023 08:40

There is one arriving at 10.00 but with 5 minutes walk plus finding the place I think that is too tight as a back up isn't it?
This is driving me crazy! Need to balance leaving enough time to get there with leaving as late as possible so DD isn't exhausted before it even starts. DH says staying over would be ridiculous as it's only 45 mins wake up before her usual school wake up and there are trains running.

Edited

Crossed post when I posted.

Your dh doesn't have a clue tbh, you'll also need to factor in getting ready, so prob an hour earlier meaning getting up at 4.30. A night stay over could mean nice dinner, walk around to find the place and early night, you'll both be so much more relaxed on the morning itself, travelling especially 3 hours is tiring.

midgemadgemodge · 25/09/2023 08:55

I'd aim for 930

I'd check that if I missed with each connection I'd still get there by 10

Or stay the night before if I could afford it

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