To not want to be stranded in London!

[Ibelieveinwitches]

Booked a short break in the New Year. Leeds to London. Everything pre paid including outbound train tickets. Today they released the journey home. Well due to engineering works there's warnings saying how busy it will be, lots of diversions and extortionate costs as well as double journey time!!
Can any of you wise and knowledgeable London people advise on what the hell to do? Travel insurance won't cover it, we can't amend the hotel so we either pay hundreds for a nightmare train journey or don't go and lose hundreds we've paid for hotel. Help!!!

National Express?

Drive down?

Actually have you checked flights to lba?

If the engineering works are weekend only can you stay an extra day?

Coach to avoid delays to a train station? London to Birmingham perhaps then train to Leeds

You could even fly to Birmingham or Manchester

Or stay one extra night at a cheaper accommodation and get a better train home the following day? I’m assuming the crazy trains are a special weekend event.

Could you split the return journey - perhaps have a shopping day in Birmingham and another hotel night perhaps?

Then you have a different journey home.

What date?

Ooh yes, get train to Manchester then to Leeds instead would also be a possibility

I would just take the train. Honestly, I take a long distance train into London to work 3 times a week. These things are a hassle, but never enough for me to re-schedule my whole journey. People will be put off traveling and it won’t be nearly as busy as you imagine. Plus if you’re getting on in London you’ll get a seat. There shouldn’t be any extra cost to you. I really wouldn’t stress about it.

You can fly Leeds to London

Stay another day? Sell hotel on? Drive?

Stay on another night and get the far better train home for less money than you'd have spent fanning about with trains on New Years Day.

The coach from London Victoria to Leeds isn't too awful, certainly worth considering instead of cancelling the w8.

Train back to York then Leeds? The York line is usually way better.

Coach is fine. Cheap and comfortable.

Is there a reason you didn't book the return journey at the same time? Where are the engineering works taking place. Can you go a different way to avoid them. Failing that National Express

Mega bus train to east mids parkway and then bus for the rest of the journey.

I love travelling by train - you can actually get work done. Or sleep.
Please don't fly.
Look into alternative routes back?
Stay an extra day?

What is the date?

There's a really well appointed premier inn just across the road from the tate modern. Stay an extra night? Lots of stuff to do round there.

It's the 4th Jan. Lner train. So east coast mainline. It seems just as bad day after too. Have thought about a coach but says none that day! Another option is to hire a one way car but that's a long drive then drop off in Leeds too adding more time.
Like the idea of going elsewhere on way home but money is tight so not sure could stretch to another night away.
Thanks for all suggestions though

If you’ve booked a return then you should be put on an alternative journey, at no extra cost. It might take a while though

I'd go with the coach personally