Journey planning tool

Tell us about a great experience you had when planning a journey

• Share Rome2Rio on Facebook Share Rome2Rio on Twitter Share Rome2Rio on Linkedin Email Rome2Rio link

  Rome2Rio

  by mds, over 1 year ago
  I already use the Rome2Rio app. Please don't spend money on re-inventing the wheel, just improving it.

  I already use the Rome2Rio app. Please don't spend money on re-inventing the wheel, just improving it.
  1 comment
• Share Timetables are the Best on Facebook Share Timetables are the Best on Twitter Share Timetables are the Best on Linkedin Email Timetables are the Best link

  Timetables are the Best

  by Tom Taylor, over 1 year ago
  I like timetables. I used to buy the British Rail timetable every year, actually it was twice a year in May and December and I spent many happy hours planning journeys. If it was possible, and for journeys with two or more changes it usually was, I'd go out one way and come back another.

  
  

  I detest journey planners, they more often than not give the most boring of routes such as under the Severn to Swindon, when going from Knighton to Fairford, Gloucestershire when it is much more scenic to travel up the bank of the Severn to Gloucester... Continue reading

  I like timetables. I used to buy the British Rail timetable every year, actually it was twice a year in May and December and I spent many happy hours planning journeys. If it was possible, and for journeys with two or more changes it usually was, I'd go out one way and come back another.

  
  

  I detest journey planners, they more often than not give the most boring of routes such as under the Severn to Swindon, when going from Knighton to Fairford, Gloucestershire when it is much more scenic to travel up the bank of the Severn to Gloucester and then up the Stroud Valley to Kemble, Similarly, every journey planner trip to Harwich involves going via London (boring), when it is much nicer to go across country via Peterborough.

  Journey planners can also give stupid journeys. Traveline.info gave me a journey from Kemble to Cirencester (three miles apart) via Paddington and Victoria Coach Station once. The Journey Planner at Llandrindod does not give a journey to Knighton, at least not the Knighton 18 miles away in Wales. It gave me journeys to Somerset or Leicestershire instead! I switched to Cymraeg and then it gave me the times to Trefyclawdd.

  Recently I had to attend a meeting in Ystradgynlais from 10.00 to 13.00. Traveline.cymru's best effort was train to Swansea and bus to Ystragynlais arriving well after 10.00. I already knew I could get there before 10.00 by using the train to Llandrindod, T4 bus to Brecon and T6 to Ystradgylais. Coming back I went via bus to Neath and got the train back from there. Neither of those journeys came up on Traveline.cymru despite both being considerably quicker than their suggestions.

  A few years ago I went to the Isle of Man and bought a seven day bus & rail ticket (£50) and was given a "GO" card and a proper journey planner - a thirty-six page booklet with timetables for all the bus and rail routes. Best holiday I've had for some time!

  Fortunately I've discovered bustimes.org and along with various train companies online timetable booklets, including TfW's, I have been able to amuse myself by planning journeys and on my monthly visits to my mother in Fairford I have taken over twenty different routes so far.

  PS. I don't have a smart phone and I always buy my rail tickets at on the train if the rail part of the journey starts at a staffed station.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  4 comments