Milton Keynes and waiting for trains.

[infobleep]

I have an 63 minutes wait at Milton Keynes on Friday, on route to Manchester. I'm travelling there on Southern and then joining the London North Western services. The things one does to get a bargain fare. You have to know which stations to route via or even the RailUK ticketing site won't bring up the advanced purchase fare, as it takes longer. This is part of a longer journey involving other tickets.

If only the minimum connection time at Milton Keynes was 3 minutes.

I think the wait used to be less between the Southern train and the London North Western one but perhaps timetable has changed since September 2021, when I last made use of this particular ticket in a combination up north. Either that or I waited this long last time!

Anyway I trust I'll be able to exit the station to kill time between trains. Thought I would grab some breakfast.

 

[Mike395]

Are you sure you’re on a Southern service all the way to MK? I didn’t think they routinely ran north of Watford Junction in service now.

In any case to answer your question - I wouldn’t anticipate an issue, MKC has very little in the way of facilities in the gated part of the station, the gateline on the bridge are used to people nipping out for a coffee or food between trains. Had no issue on multiple occasions when using Advance tickets.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Southern indeed don't run to MKC any more. A few run to Hemel Hempstead but most terminate at Watford, so I guess the OP will have an extra change.

You won't have a problem getting let out and back in. There is a coffee place on a couple of platforms but nothing major. The gateline may even be open, it doesn't seem to be staffed 100% of the time at present.

In terms of places to go, there's loads of options if you've got an hour:

- Wetherspoons, straight up Midsummer Boulevard on the left.
- Morrisons cafe, turn right, cross Avebury Boulevard and it's more or less visible
- Subway, Costa, Starbucks, Pret, Greggs and M&S Food in the station building (along the front in a line)
- McD's, BK and (unusually) Taco Bell a bit further away, turn left, walk past the car park and you'll see them alll

Head further up Midsummer Boulevard for even more options but time might be getting tight by then.

It's a shame the OP has Advances, as a flexible fare would have meant the 3 rather than 63 minute unofficial connection might be possible!

 

[infobleep]

Southern indeed don't run to MKC any more. A few run to Hemel Hempstead but most terminate at Watford, so I guess the OP will have an extra change.

You won't have a problem getting let out and back in. There is a coffee place on a couple of platforms but nothing major. The gateline may even be open, it doesn't seem to be staffed 100% of the time at present.

In terms of places to go, there's loads of options if you've got an hour:

- Wetherspoons, straight up Midsummer Boulevard on the left.
- Morrisons cafe, turn right, cross Avebury Boulevard and it's more or less visible
- Subway, Costa, Starbucks, Pret, Greggs and M&S Food in the station building (along the front in a line)
- McD's, BK and (unusually) Taco Bell a bit further away, turn left, walk past the car park and you'll see them alll

Head further up Midsummer Boulevard for even more options but time might be getting tight by then.

It's a shame the OP has Advances, as a flexible fare would have meant the 3 rather than 63 minute unofficial connection might be possible!

Thanks for confirming this. It will be an extra change, as whilst trying to force myself onto the service to Crewe, which wasn't coming up I put in the following options:
Stop or change at:
Shepherd's Bush
Watford Junction
Milton Keynes

If I put those in I have a 63 minute wait at Nilton Keynes.

However, if I put those in and also excluded Avanti West Coast, suddenly I am put on different trains and I don't have a 63 minute wait.

The ticket in question is Surbiton to Crewe.

I have already purchased it. One to mention in the other thread on Rail UK ticketing site.