Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Deals of the Week: West Coast main line, Hoverspeed Easter deals, Sevastopol

Simon Calder
Tuesday 08 April 2003 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rail travellers hoping to take a train between London and the west of England, Wales and the north-west over Easter face an awkward journey.

A TRAIN

Rail travellers hoping to take a train between London and the west of England, Wales and the north-west over Easter face an awkward journey. Paddington station is closing down completely from Good Friday to Easter Monday, and the West Coast main line is being dug up between Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes. Under these circumstances, the Chiltern line between London Marylebone and Birmingham will come into its own. The fastest journey time between the two cities is a little over two hours, and the saver return fare of £25.60 carries few restrictions. Unfortunately, the Birmingham end does not serve New Street station, the hub of the cross-country network, but you can walk there from Moor Street or Snow Hill. National rail enquiries: 08457 48 49 50.

A BOAT

You have two days to take advantage of the pre-Easter bargain from Hoverspeed (0870 240 8070, www.hoverspeed.com). Book today, sail from Dover to Calais tomorrow, return on Friday, and for a car and up to five occupants you will pay just £31 return.

If you miss this slot, you can still spend an overnight in France sometime between now and the end of May for £65 (not including accommodation). A £10 supplement applies for outward travel on Saturdays and Sundays. Again, you must book 24 hours in advance.

A PLANE

A charge of the tourist brigade is soon likely to invade the Black Sea port of Sevastopol. This Ukrainian town was central to the Crimean War, in which British involvement began 150 years ago next year; the battlegrounds of Inkerman and Balaklava are in the suburbs. Hitherto, the problem has been reaching the place: a long and expensive trip via either Moscow or Kiev to Simferopol, followed by a bus journey. But now an airline called Sevastopol Avia has started twice-weekly flights between Istanbul and Sevastopol. The two-hour flight costs $175 (£110) return; you can book through Inflot Tur (00 380 692 374 564). Cheap airline tickets from Britain to Istanbul are widely available.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in