Rail Travel Guide | Papa Johns Trophy Travel

Wit the Papa Johns Trophy final between Argyle and Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium now less than a month away, train operator Great Western Railway has kindly compiled a travel guide for supporters planning to attend the capital via rail.

The Green Army are expected to travel to Wembley in their thousands for the final of the Papa Johns Trophy on Sunday 2 April at 1500.

Many fans will choose to travel to London by rail, so train operator Great Western Railway is warning people to reserve a seat and has put together a guide to help fans travelling to and from the match.

What you need to know:

• Saturday 1 April: Industrial action is due to affect train services. Details will be confirmed closer to the time; however it is expected that significantly fewer trains will be able to operate between approximately 0700 and 1900
• Sunday 2 April: All direct trains between Plymouth and London Paddington before and after the match will be reservation only – you must have a seat reservation to travel on these trains
• To help people board safely a queuing system will be in place at Plymouth and London Paddington. Customers without seat reservations will not be able to board reservation only trains.

Travelling from Cornwall

Only one train on Sunday morning from stations in Cornwall will arrive in time for kick-off.

The only train back to Cornwall after the match leaves at 1803 which will not be useable should the match go to extra time.

Why are seat reservations mandatory on so many trains?

Limiting entry on trains to those who hold seat reservations helps ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers on board. It also helps to give certainty to those intending to travel that they will be able to board their preferred train.

Where can I book a seat reservation?

Book your train ticket at GWR.com and select your preferred train. You will then be prompted to book a seat reservation. Reservations are free of charge.

Important to note: Check your booking before purchase. If the train is already fully booked, you will not be given a seat reservation with your booking. You will need to reserve a seat on a different service.

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets and book a reservation at the ticket office at your nearest staffed station.

How can I book seat reservations if I already have a ticket?

Contact the Great Western Railway social media team on Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. They can book you a seat reservation for no additional charge if you can provide proof that you have purchased a ticket.

Alternatively, you can visit the ticket office at your nearest staffed station and ask for a reservation. Just remember to bring your ticket as proof of your purchase.

What if all trains are fully booked?

Do not attempt to board a train that is marked as reservation only without a seat reservation.

Boarding controls and ticket checks will be made to ensure only those with reservations are allowed on board.

There are a number of alternative options if you can’t book a reservation:

• Travel on a service which is not reservation only
• Start your journey at Bristol Parkway, Bristol Temple Meads or Weston-super-Mare instead
• Travelling before or after Sunday 2 April

What is the plan for train services on Saturday 1 April?

Industrial action by the RMT union is due to take place on this date. A revised train plan is currently being considered, however it is expected that train services will be extremely limited. Further details will be published shortly.

Are extra trains going to be running?

No additional trains are able to be provided. All trains due to run on Sunday 2 April are shown in the tables above.

South Western Railway services from Exeter St Davids

Engineering work will take place between Salisbury and Andover over the weekend of 1 and 2 April. Trains from Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo will terminate at Salisbury with replacement buses in operation as far as Andover.

How do I get to Wembley from London Paddington?

Bakerloo line

The Bakerloo line runs direct from Paddington to Wembley Central station. Wembley Stadium is approximately 20-25 minutes away from here.

Metropolitan line (via Baker Street)

Take the Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City or Circle lines to Baker Street and change for Metropolitan line trains to Wembley Park.

The walk from Wembley Park to the stadium will take approximately 15 minutes and includes the famous Olympic Way (also known as Wembley Way).

Chiltern Railways (via London Marylebone)

Take the Bakerloo line from Paddington to Marylebone and change for Chiltern Railways trains from London Marylebone to Wembley Stadium station. As the name suggests, the station itself is just a short walk away from the stadium (approximately 10 minutes).

Taxis

Taxis are available to hire from the rank at the north side of London Paddington station.