our_man fumes at the UK transport system

[lightblue]

Wasn't too bad when I went there the other day, the centre is quite nice, as is the area around the university.

[Adrian Hon]

Find out how much a train costs using an APEX ticket... it should be reasonably cheaper than normal fares.

Also, doesn't the conference offer some kind of accommodation? I'd be surprised if you couldn't get a room in the university halls of residence (if the conference is taking place in the university, which I assume it is). I went to a big science conference in Leicester and I recall they offered uni accommodation. I didn't take it, so unfortunately I can't comment on it - I stayed with a friend.

[Snotty]

I tried looking to get to Edinburgh recently and was suprised how relatively expensive it was. Cheaper to get to Prague or Amsterdam

I think the train fares are supposed to go down if you prebook well in advance, Sorry, not much help I know

[Immortal Wombat]

Do the circumstances not allow for springing someone for travel expenses?

[our_man]

Also, doesn't the conference offer some kind of accommodation? I'd be surprised if you couldn't get a room in the university halls of residence (if the conference is taking place in the university, which I assume it is). I went to a big science conference in Leicester and I recall they offered uni accommodation. I didn't take it, so unfortunately I can't comment on it - I stayed with a friend.

They sent us out a list of hotels in the area, that was it. The cheapest was £40/night. I tried e-mailing Leicester University yesterday and they said they had no student accomodation to rent out; I emailed de Montfort Uni but I still have to hear back from them.

Er... Adrian, (this is a longshot, I know) but how would your friend feel about a complete stranger sleeping on his floor (if he lives pretty central)? Clean-living, charming Irish medical student with no criminal record, has own sleeping bag? Jeez, I hate to ask something like that but I'm almost out of options. I still hope to get a place but having a fallback option would be pretty great.

I tried looking to get to Edinburgh recently and was suprised how relatively expensive it was. Cheaper to get to Prague or Amsterdam

Yup, you're right. I'm going to Amsterdam for a weekend in November. Transport AND accomodation add up to £89, total. That's a GOOD deal.

[child of Thor]

Originally posted by Adrian Hon
Find out how much a train costs using an APEX ticket... it should be reasonably cheaper than normal fares.

edit..

@ our_man,

Yeah if you have to go by train look to travel off peak(like in the afternoon) and not on a friday or the weekend. you can save about 50% of the regular fare.

But yes travel around the uk is prety rubbish, infact outside of a major city if you dont have a car, or dont like to try hitch hikeing, then your at the mercy of a very expensive transport system; one that isn't worth what your forced to pay

better take a sleeping bag if you cant find a place to stay, then you can crash where ever you can find!

[Adrian Hon]

Originally posted by our_man

Er... Adrian, (this is a longshot, I know) but how would your friend feel about a complete stranger sleeping on his floor (if he lives pretty central)? Clean-living, charming Irish medical student with no criminal record, has own sleeping bag? Jeez, I hate to ask something like that but I'm almost out of options. I still hope to get a place but having a fallback option would be pretty great.

Unfortunately I don't think she's still at Leicester - she's another med student but I think she's graduated now. The fact that she's a 'she' also complicates matters

Few other possibilities. Find out if you can share a room with another conference attendee - that might cut things down to £20 a night. Also consider getting accommodation further outside Leicester. Inconvenient, but might produce more results.

[Provost Harrison]

There's always the National Express

[our_man]

Right. I've managed to get a ticket as far as Birmingham for £29. I should be able to pick one up from Birmingham to Leicester for £7.50. It's still not cheap, but it's a hit my wallet can take. Watch this space for further unfolding travesties.

[Sikander]

Originally posted by Timexwatch
Try hitchhiking. Then you only pay with gas, grass or ass.

I haven't seen that bumper sticker in about 30 years.

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
There's always the National Express

[our_man]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison

9 hours on a coach for £50? You're kidding, right?

[our_man]

Ready to go!

OK, everything's booked. As a cautionery tale for those godforsaken souls that must travel to Leicester, beware! I'm paying £30 for one night's accomodation, the cheapest I could find. I have never seen a city with such inadequate budget accomodation before.

On the plus point, I did quite well on the transport in the end: £36 via train to Leicester. Going back I managed to actually find a decent price on the National Express - £9 to Glasgow from Leicester! There are some bargains to be had if you search long enough! 11 hours on the coach though - at least it's overnight! All together now...

Take the national express when your life’s in a mess
It’ll make you smile
All human life is here
From the feeble old dear to the screaming child
From the student who knows that to have one of those
Would be suicide
To the family man
Manhandling the pram with paternal pride
And everybody sings ba ba ba da...

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by our_man


9 hours on a coach for £50? You're kidding, right?

How much? That's pretty expensive - it is usually cheaper than that...

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by our_man
For the record I have become convinced that Leicester is the biggest kip in the UK

You've never been to Coventry have you.......?