Crystal Palace (a)  Saturday 21st January 5.30pm

Here are a selection of the available trains, with fares as at 13/12 (italics means change at York):

Leeds	1015	1115		1215		Kings Cross	2030	2100	2200
Wakefield W	1028	1128	1117*	1228		Wakefield W	2240	-	0006
Kings Cross	1231	1331	1344	1431		Leeds	2257	2350	0023
Single from Leeds	£25.20	£23.90		£22.50		Single to Leeds	£23.90	£36.60	£19.80
Single from Wakefield	£28.10	£23.90	£15	£23.90		Single to Wakefield	£25.20	£36.60	£22.50

* Wakefield Kirkgate

Fares from Leeds:

From £42.30	Advance Singles
£126.60	Super Off-Peak Singles

 
From Wakefield:

From £42.30	Advance Singles
£122.40	Super Off-Peak Singles

 
From Sheffield:

From £46	Advance Singles
£87	Super Off-Peak Return

Notes:
1. Use trainsplit.com to find the cheapest deals available by splitting your journey; don't buy tickets from them though, use www.tpexpress.co.uk or www.lner.co.uk.
2. Railcard holders get one third off the above prices.
3. Groups of three or more can get approx 20% off East Coast Advance Singles fares if booked at www.lner.co.uk.
 
Getting to the ground
There are a few ways to get to the ground from Kings Cross. The quickest, easiest and cheapest with a journey time of 27 minutes, is undoubtedly the half-hourly (5 and 35 minutes past the hour) Thameslink service from St Pancras to Norwood Junction. Having said that, it leaves you with best part of a 20 minute walk to the nearest pub that'll let away fans in. Other options are:
- via Victoria to Thornton Heath or Selhurst (five services an hour, around 42 minutes journey time to Thornton Heath, 45 to Selhurst)
- via Stockwell and Balham to Thornton Heath or Selhurst (five services an hour, journey times as above)
- via London Bridge to Norwood Junction (four an hour, around 42 minutes)
 
Norwood Junction is a 10 minute walk from the ground, whereas the other two are 15 minutes away. Your best bet is probably to travel out to Thornton Heath for the pubs (see below), then back from Norwood Junction (make sure you catch a fast train, not a stopper). The trains back are as follows:  

Depart	Arrive	From	Via
1701*	1745	Selhurst	Balham & Stockwell
1710*	1757	Selhurst	Victoria
1708	1740	Norwood Junction
1716	1750	Norwood Junction	London Bridge
1716*	1801	Selhurst	Balham & Stockwell
1721	1800	Selhurst	East Croydon
1738	1810	Norwood Junction

 
* 3 minutes later from Thornton Heath
 
Note: You should be able to shave a few minutes off the arrival times by racing between platforms at Balham, London Bridge or Victoria.
 
Pubs
The pubs around Thornton Heath station are set aside for away fans. Having said that, there are nowadays only two of them! The Railway Telegraph is just 50 yards down from the station. It didn't used to open until 12, but I think it could be 11 since changing hands a couple of years back. They serve an extensive range of burgers and pizzas. Other than that you're basically looking at the Prince George, although it'll be heaving and they don't do hand-pulled beer. If you want a good pint then the only real option other than the Railway Telegraph is the excellent Pawson's Arms. It is though a hike from the station, and it's an even bigger hike from it to the ground, plus it doesn't open until 12. It's basically a Palace pub, but they make away fans very welcome. The beer's decent (London Pride and Doom Bar when we were there), and they do sandwiches. Even though it gets busy towards kick-off the service is amazingly quick.

The pubs around Selhurst station are designated home fans only, although you maybe able to get in the decent Two Brewers if you're not wearing colours, although it's another with 12 o'clock opening. Away fans can definitely get in the Selhurst Railway Club, which is out the 'back' door from the station and along the alleyway a bit. It'll cost you a couple of quid to get in, but once inside the beer and food are pretty cheap. I'm pretty sure the pubs around Norwood Junction are basically home pubs, and probably nothing special anyway.

Other options are:
- drink in the pubs around Kings Cross and then catch the 1405 Thameslink; if it's running late, jump on the Northern line to London Bridge, and you'll get to the ground around 10 to 3
- find a pub around London Bridge (the Old Kings Head or George would be my suggestion, although there's also Wetherspoons' The Pommelers Rest about a 10 minute walk away), then jump on the 14.25 train (bit tight for kick-off though)
- find a pub at Balham (say the Regent or Hagen & Hyde), then jump on the 1415 train
- one of the half dozen or so pubs at Forest Hill, then 1422 train to Norwood Junction

Pub map
Kings Cross pub map
Football Ground Guide
London Transport