Advice to get from London to Goodwood FoS

kobefly · 15 Apr 2019, 14:33 (Ref:3897661)

Hello everyone! It's me once again seeking for advice on attending racing events in Europe (I am from Argentina).

This year I will be going to Goodwood Festival of Speed on Thursday (first day) and Sunday (last day) but I will be staying at London (Soho area to be more accurate).

Per my research I should get the Southern train in direction to Southampton Central from Victoria Station and get out at Chichester Station and, from there, I read that a bus (service 902) runs to the venue starting at 7am every 30 minutes.

Some questions I have are:
1) Is it possible to be in Cichester by 7am? I did not see trains leaving that early from London
2) Is there any advice you can give me to do this trip?

I would really appreciate the help of those of you having done this or at least know all this areas.

Stuart H · 15 Apr 2019, 17:56 (Ref:3897733)

Tried using a local bed and breakfast in the area at all?

kobefly · 15 Apr 2019, 18:07 (Ref:3897737)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart H

Tried using a local bed and breakfast in the area at all?

That would make more sence. However, I realized Goodwood was happening during my stay in London that I booked previously. Plus, I am not going on consecutive days. I know it would be a great effort to get there but... it's a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

**Tim Falce** · 15 Apr 2019, 18:12 (Ref:3897738)

Earliest train on Thursday is the 04.38 from Waterloo but it takes two and a half hours and two changes. Try downloading National Rail Enquiries App which allows to to plan journeys by train in the UK. Sundays can the be very hit and miss with travel in the UK as the railways do like to do maintenance at the weekends

kobefly · 15 Apr 2019, 18:16 (Ref:3897739)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Earliest train on Thursday is the 04.38 from Waterloo but it takes two and a half hours and two changes. Try downloading National Rail Enquiries App which allows to to plan journeys by train in the UK. Sundays can the be very hit and miss with travel in the UK as the railways do like to do maintenance at the weekends

Great tips! Thank you so much. Aren't there any shuttle services for this kind of event? I am trying to google without luck.

**bella** · 16 Apr 2019, 10:27 (Ref:3897937)

looking at thetrainline.com, you can get an earlier train from blackfriars, with a change in brighton that'll get you to chichester by 7am on a weekday.

an alternative to the train (which looks messy on the sunday morning) would be using the coach - national express runs from gatwick airport to chichester. so you could potentially get to gatwick airport, stay at one of the hotels at the north terminal (they're around £70 usually so that's down to your budget), and use the 0555 service 206 to get you to chichester.

Rob29 · 17 Apr 2019, 06:58 (Ref:3898155)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobefly

Great tips! Thank you so much. Aren't there any shuttle services for this kind of event? I am trying to google without luck.

Love this thread-reminds me of the last time I went-a few years ago. there was a bus shuttle from Chichester advertised -but driver took us to the race circuit

Look me some time to convince him there was nothing happening there and he needed to take us to Goodwood House

kobefly · 17 Apr 2019, 18:30 (Ref:3898274)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

looking at thetrainline.com, you can get an earlier train from blackfriars, with a change in brighton that'll get you to chichester by 7am on a weekday.

an alternative to the train (which looks messy on the sunday morning) would be using the coach - national express runs from gatwick airport to chichester. so you could potentially get to gatwick airport, stay at one of the hotels at the north terminal (they're around £70 usually so that's down to your budget), and use the 0555 service 206 to get you to chichester.

This is excellent! I would have never found that information. For Thursday that would be my plan for sure.

Do you know at which time of the day does the activity finish in Goodwood?

**BertMk2** · 18 Apr 2019, 11:55 (Ref:3898385)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobefly

Do you know at which time of the day does the activity finish in Goodwood?

I've only been on a Friday and that 'closes' at 7pm - although in truth that seems to just mean that all the stalls stop selling things, there's nothing going up the hill and some of the cars are being tucked away under their covers for the night.

**Tim Falce** · 18 Apr 2019, 15:12 (Ref:3898419)

Can you drive, if so have you thought of hiring a car for a few days, you can get some good deals online

kobefly · 18 Apr 2019, 16:05 (Ref:3898425)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Can you drive, if so have you thought of hiring a car for a few days, you can get some good deals online

I am thinking about doing that for Sunday. Good idea!

kobefly · 18 Apr 2019, 17:37 (Ref:3898443)

Doing further research I see I should rent the car at Heathrow airport because it is Sunday and in the very early morning. I see I can take the blue line (Piccadilly) from Piccadilly Circus Station (which is a 10 minute walk from where I am staying) around 4:30am to get to Heathrow (1 hour aprox), take the car and drive to Goodwood (1 hour and a half) and be at the event by 7:30/8.

Do you think that is a realistic plan?

I know it is not the greatest but I am not finding better options.

**Tim Falce** · 18 Apr 2019, 18:34 (Ref:3898448)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobefly

Doing further research I see I should rent the car at Heathrow airport because it is Sunday and in the very early morning. I see I can take the blue line (Piccadilly) from Piccadilly Circus Station (which is a 10 minute walk from where I am staying) around 4:30am to get to Heathrow (1 hour aprox), take the car and drive to Goodwood (1 hour and a half) and be at the event by 7:30/8.

Do you think that is a realistic plan?

I know it is not the greatest but I am not finding better options.

Probably not as i doubt the piccadilly line or any other rail lines will be running that time of morning especially on Sunday.
To be honest if you feel the need to go for two days, I would do Friday and Saturday staying over night maybe Thursday and Friday and forget Sunday.
Edited, It seems there is a better service on Sunday than during the week with the first train at Piccadilly Circus at 03.50

kobefly · 21 Apr 2019, 14:44 (Ref:3898899)

I see trains even earlier (only on Sunday) but the 3:53 will be good enough to be around 5 at the airport and get the car rental to get to Goodwood.
Unfortunately I have already bought the tickets for Thursday and Sunday so I cannot change days.
I will go on Thursday by train and Sunday with rental car. Many thanks for all your help.

kobefly · 21 Apr 2019, 18:09 (Ref:3898908)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

looking at thetrainline.com, you can get an earlier train from blackfriars, with a change in brighton that'll get you to chichester by 7am on a weekday.

Just purchased this ticket. Thank you too for your help!

kobefly · 21 May 2019, 14:50 (Ref:3905076)

So I am going on Thursday and Sunday. Logistics solved.

Any advice on how to get the most out of this festival?

richrad smith · 21 May 2019, 20:48 (Ref:3905143)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobefly

So I am going on Thursday and Sunday. Logistics solved.

Any advice on how to get the most out of this festival?

take your time in your downtime and have a look around. Take a camera with you and make good use of it while ur off post

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