Train Fare into London - trying to beat the system
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008I need to go into London by around 9:30am and was shocked to find out
that a peak day travel card cost £40. That is a day after tax
wage for many people.
The so called simplication of rail fare structure is a joke - that is if
you want to get the best price for the tickets !
Often, breaking a journey so that the 2nd part of the journey starts
at offpeak time will yield considerable savings.
So.. I try to play around with the nationalrail journey planner and
see how far I manage to get.
Ticket type page: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/purchasing_tickets/ticket_types.html
Key facts:
1. Offpeak fare begins: 9:00am
2. Network railcard discount begins: 10:00am but fare has a minimum of £10
3. Cheap day single : No travelling after 16:30 (or the last train before that,
for train to Reading, that was 16:18) until after 20:00.
4. Standard Single : No restriction
5. Most ticket can be return for a full refund within 28 days of the expiry
date of the ticket, if COMPLETELY UNUSED.
6.
Offpeak 6 zones travel card begins : 9:30am
Travelcard: Travelcards:
For unlimited travel on National Rail, Underground and DLR services
within the zones, and on the day(s) for which the ticket is valid. Irrespective of the
zones for which they are issued, Travelcards can be used on most London buses
(except some special services and excursions), and when valid in Zones 3, 4, 5 or 6
(or any combination of these zones) can be used throughout Croydon
Tramlink.*Travelcards are NOT valid at all on Heathrow Express, or on Heathrow
Connect services between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow
(a) So, a peak day travel card from Thatcham to London cost £39.50
(b) A offpeak day travel card starts at 9:02am cost £20.50 (no discount on network railcard due to before 10am)
(c) If on a return journey I had to travel between 16:30 - 20:00, then I would get
a standard single with the following prices (NEtwork railcard discount applies)
(c1) Cheapest : Boundary zone 6 [Ealing Broadway/Hayes Hallington to Reading] Fare = £10
(c2) More convenient : Standard Single with network rail discount, London Paddington->Thatcham = £11.20
Total cost to arrive at London before 10am and return before 16:30 : Cost = £20.50
Total cost to arrive at London before 10am and return between 16:30/20 : Cost = £31.70
Worst case = £39.50
Saving = 50% (£19.00) or 19.7% ( £7.80)