Tour Luton - London - Luton / 19-23 June

[nek4o]

Hi all,

I have some questions regarding a little tour that me and my family are going to make from 19th June to 23th June.

I'm currently in London and I have an Oyster card. They will arrive at Luton around 19:00 on 19th June. As far as I understand Luton is outside of the Oyster zones and I'll have to buy paper ticket to Luton.

What is the best option and cheapest and what tickets should we buy for traveling from Luton to East Croydon - buy paper tickets from the Luton station or to buy buy online tickets beforehand, maybe single or returns (23th June)?
Is there any group discount for 4 people?
Or if there is a possible combination with the Oyster cards?

For the tour in London I'm going to buy them oyster cards and use the PYGo daily capping within zones 1-6 so it should be 11.70 (daily time) per day.

The return to Luton, on 23th, may be before 9.30 so the ticket should be peak tariff.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hadders]

We need a few more details here.

How many people (adults and children (how old are the children)) will be travelling from Luton to East Croydon and back. Do any of you hold any railcards?

What are your plans for the 20th, 21st and 22nd? How much travelling are you planning to do around London?

 

[nek4o]

We are 4 adults in total.
No one has a railcard. I'm going to buy them Oyster cards beforehand for the tour within London.
For 20,21 and 22 we are going to see some sightseeings in London, travel zones 1-5. Traveling with the tube and busses will be a lot.
If there is a chance we might go to Brighton in one of these days.

Thanks!

 

[clagmonster]

So, just to clarify.
You are already in London.
On the 19th of June, your family arrive at Luton Airport. Will you be going out to meet them at the Airport? If so, will you be doing any other travel in London on that day?

The four of you will then travel around London for three days, possibly featuring a trip to Brighton? How much travel within London are you likely to do on the day you go to Brighton?

On the 23rd, before 09:30, the four of you are going out to Luton Airport, and presumably you are coming back.

Is that a correct summary. I wouldn't want any of us to inadvertently give poor advice through a misunderstanding.

 

[Hadders]

For the travel on the 20th, 21st and 22nd Oyster isn't going to be the cheapest way.

I'd purchase 4 Epsom-London Zones 1-6 Off Peak Day Travelcards (route Southern only) with Groupsave. These will cost £7.90 each (£31.60 for the group) per day. This is valid for one journey from Epsom to London on Southern Trains (which you wouldn't use) and then unlimited travel in Zones 1-6 on trains (any operator), tubes and buses. I'd buy these on-line and collect from a convenient station. Note that the group must travel together at all times with a Groupsave ticket.

The bit from Luton to East Croydon and return is going to be expensive if you ned to return during the morning peak. Exactly what time do you need to arrive in Luton on the last day?

If you do choose to go to Brighton then I'd go on the Saturday or Sunday where a Super Off Peak Day Return from East Croydon to Brighton (Thameslink trains only) with Groupsave is £6.95 each (£27.80 for the group).

 

[nek4o]

@clagmonster
Yes, I'm already in London and I'll meet them at Luton. (Leaving from East Ham tube or Manor Park rail station). Then Luton to Croydon will be the only journey for that day.
If we go to Brighton I don't think we'll be going in London on the same day.
On 23th most probably we'll have to leave before 9am because the departure is around 12 at the afternoon. From Luton I'm going back to East Ham.

@Hadders
Thanks for your information. I'll research about these travelcards with groupsave.
Is this true that for Sat and Sun the peak times don't count and we can travel between 16:00 and 19:00.


Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[Hadders]

Ah! Can you confirm these are the exact arrangements:

On the 19th you're going from East Ham/Manor Park to Luton. You're then meeting 3 friends.

The four of you then travel to East Croydon.

On the 20th, 21st and 22nd you travel around London. On one of the days you might go to Brighton instead.

On the 23rd all four of you travel back to Luton. The flight is at 12 noon so you need to leave before 9am. You then return to East Ham/Manor Park.

There are no peak times on Saturdays or Sundays so you can travel on any train. NB. for the airport you want Luton Airport Parkway rather than Luton (although the fares are identical).

 

[nek4o]

Yes, all is correct

 

[Hadders]

This is what I would buy:

Friday 19th June:
Zones 1-6 Off-Peak Day Travelcard £12.00
Boundary Zone 6 - Luton Airport Off-Peak Day Return £14.50
You use this combination to travel from East Ham/Manor Park and then return to East Croydon. There is no evening peak restriction with this combination.

Luton Airport - East Croydon Anytime Day Single x3 with Groupsave £12.10 each (total £36.30).

Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st , Monday 22nd:
Purchase Epsom-London Zones 1-6 Off-Peak Day Travelcards (route Southern only) x4 £7.90 each (total £35.60) per day. Valid on all trains (except HS1 and Heathrow Express), tubes and buses in zones 1-6 after 0930 on the Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose to go to Brighton then on the Saturday or Sunday a Super Off Peak Day Return with Groupsave (valid on Thameslink trains only) is £6.95 each (total £27.80). If you chose to go on the Monday it'll cost £9.90 each (total £39.60) and you'll have to travel after 0930 (on evening restrictions on the return though).

Tuesday 23rd:
I can't think of a way other than buying Anytime Singles - Sadly Groupsave isn't valid until the Off Peak Day Return becomes valid (c.0930) so I'd buy:

East Croydon - Luton Airport Anytime Day Single x3 £16.90 each (total £50.70)
London Zones 1-6 Anytime Day Travelcard £17.00
Boundary Zone 6 - Luton Airport Off Peak Anytime Day Return £18.60.
You use this combination to travel from East Croydon to the Airport then back to East Ham/Manor Park.

I have quoted fares to Luton Airport which includes the price of the bus transfer between Luton Airport Parkway and the airport. fares to Luton Airport Parkway are generally around £1-£1.50 cheaper each way.

 

[nek4o]

Thank you Hadders!
I could not wish for more detailed information
Cheers!

 

[Hadders]

Thank you Hadders!
I could not wish for more detailed information
Cheers!

You're welcome!

Someone else may come up with something cheaper although there's often a significant time penalty or loss of flexibility for doing so.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

If you go to Brighton on the Monday then the group Daysave ticket, though only slightly less for 4 at £35.80 also offers unlimited travel on the Southern network (apart from the peaks) so if you get fed up with Brighton you could go along the coast to Eastbourne or vist any other places on the Southern network. It is only valid on Southern trains.

http://www.southernrailway.com/tickets-and-fares/ticket-types/daysave-off-peak/