Milton Keynes to Chesham (end of the line) via Watford

[Howardh]

Next month planning a half-day to do this trip; Milton Keynes to Watford, walk to the tube, then change at Moor Park (?) for the direct tube to Chesham. Involves a day return (super off-peak available??) MKC to Watford Junction, then two possibilities, a single to Chesham and then bus to Hemel Hempsted and train back to MKC; or is it possible to have a return tube fare to/from Watford?

Note I'm on a railcard (no use on the tube) and free bus pass (handy for Chesham > Hemel H.

Advice wanted, is it worth the trip, how long should I put aside including a pint somewhere (any recommendations in Chesham?) and I presume the tube is contactless tap in/out?

Thanks!!

 

[Hadders]

I've not checked journey times but it might be faster and cheaper to go via Euston.

Take a non-stop LNR train from MKC to EUS (35 mins) walk to Euston Square and the take the Met to Chesham.

I've not checked fares but you could buy a return to Euston and then use contactless or Oyster from Euston Square to Chesham; or
you could use a Milton Keynes to London Zones 1-6 Travelcard which would get you to Moor Park. Although there are diirect trains to Chesham you'd need to step back a train to touch in/out as a Travelcard is only valid as far as Moor Park.

Another option is there is a bus from Watford Junction that goes to Rickmansworth from where you can pick up the Met.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've not checked journey times but it might be faster and cheaper to go via Euston.

Take a non-stop LNR train from MKC to EUS (35 mins) walk to Euston Square and the take the Met to Chesham.

I've not checked fares but you could buy a return to Euston and then use contactless or Oyster from Euston Square to Chesham; or
you could use a Milton Keynes to London Zones 1-6 Travelcard which would get you to Moor Park. Although there are diirect trains to Chesham you'd need to step back a train to touch in/out as a Travelcard is only valid as far as Moor Park.

Another option is there is a bus from Watford Junction that goes to Rickmansworth from where you can pick up the Met.

Fare wise it could well be cheapest to get yourself to Bletchley, tap in and do it all on contactless, ideally via London so you get into the main zones. There is presently some quirk of how the contactless fares are being worked out that is resulting in a lot of people being charged CONSIDERABLY less than they should be if they make journeys including both the train and the Tube - I think it may relate to extension fares in some way. At some point this is likely to be fixed, but reports on one of the passenger action groups would seem to suggest it hasn't yet. Because I don't quite understand the issue causing it I can't tell you what it'll cost, but there is a very good chance of you being charged a lot less than you should be charged, and it's all legit, too!

If the OP has a Railcard a Travelcard may come out cheaper though. However I couldn't tell you what contactless will charge you for that journey without doing it - just that it's likely to be less than the TfL site will say you will be charged at present.

 

[Howardh]

Thanks, should have made it clearer that the trip is end point (Watford tube) to end point, so Euston isn't in the equation!

I want to avoid central London anyway, I do that loads of times, so want something different.

As for ticketing, blimey, more complications from Milton Keynes! If I take the bus to Bletchley, that's free so if the rest is contactless then there's a small saving, but not with Railcard?

So better off from MKC? Unless there's a saving of, say, over a fiver then cost isn't really an issue for once!

 

[Hadders]

Thanks, should have made it clearer that the trip is end point (Watford tube) to end point, so Euston isn't in the equation!

I want to avoid central London anyway, I do that loads of times, so want something different.

As for ticketing, blimey, more complications from Milton Keynes! If I take the bus to Bletchley, that's free so if the rest is contactless then there's a small saving, but not with Railcard?

So better off from MKC? Unless there's a saving of, say, over a fiver then cost isn't really an issue for once!

In that case I think the best option will be a return from Milton Keynes to Watford Junction £15.70 with a railcard
Then contactless or Oyster from Watford Met to Chesham £2.10 (off Peak) or £2.30 (peak).
Whatever the bus costs (max £3)
Start short on the return portion of the MKC-WFJ ticket to bet to MKC

 

[Bletchleyite]

Super Off Peak Return WMT Only from MKC to Euston is cheaper than to Watford if you're using WMT rather than Avanti.

The restriction code does not contain a bar on break of journey. The ticket type code as shown in brfares.com (OPR) does, but I am fairly sure I heard before that this has no actual effect based on the ticket type terms and conditions, it has to be in the restriction code to apply and it is not in the restriction code. But others may know better!

 

[Howardh]

Thanks, I'll watch out for that super off peak return! Will it get me through any barriers around Watford Junction?

 

[Howardh]

At home going through this, and if I bought the super off peak day return MKC - Euston, firstly the validity is too late for my late morning departure, and also I can't use the second portion as it's afternoon peak or something, but I've found a £15.70 off peak day return MKC - Watford Junction which I believe I can use around 4pm for the Hemel Hempstead - MKC return leg (break of journeys are allowed). The ones to Euston are too complex and confusing for my liking, not so bad if I return after the afternoon peak, but that's not my plan.

So MKC > Watford junction (out around 11.30) and return from Hemel Hempstead > MKC £15.70; plus the single tube fare Watford to Chesham, £2.10, and the bus which is free although I could return to Watford for another £2.10.

If I went contactless from Bletchley as suggested, I get a single of £15.20 but don't know if I return the exact same route is a touch more or double??

Single fare finder

Find fares between any two stations in London

tfl.gov.uk

• Peak fares - from Watford Junction towards Euston (Southbound), Monday to Friday between 06:30 and 09:30 (not on public holidays). From Euston towards Watford Junction (Northbound), peak fares apply Monday to Friday between 16:00 and 19:00 (not on public holidays)

 

[Hadders]

I'd buy the Off Peak Day Return fro Milton Keynes to Watford. There are no afternoon restrictions with this ticket and starting short at Hemel on the return is fine.

 

[Howardh]

I'd buy the Off Peak Day Return fro Milton Keynes to Watford. There are no afternoon restrictions with this ticket and starting short at Hemel on the return is fine.

Yes, that's what I will do! Just hope for a hot sunny day, and a nice pub in Chesham to while away an hour!

 

[Bald Rick]

Next month planning a half-day to do this trip; Milton Keynes to Watford, walk to the tube, then change at Moor Park (?) for the direct tube to Chesham.

I've not checked journey times but it might be faster and cheaper to go via Euston.

I’ve not checked either, but it will probably be quicker - and certainly cheaper - to cycle it!

 

[Howardh]

I’ve not checked either, but it will probably be quicker - and certainly cheaper - to cycle it!

For once, speed is irrelevant! Wouldn't mind a "slow" day!!

 

[Egg Centric]

For once, speed is irrelevant! Wouldn't mind a "slow" day!!

In that case I don't recommend walking directly - it's dead boring. Instead route yourself through Cassiobury park possibly by way of The Watford Minature Railway

 

[Howardh]

In that case I don't recommend walking directly - it's dead boring. Instead route yourself through Cassiobury park possibly by way of The Watford Minature Railway

Will do, the railway won't be open (midweek) but I expect that cafe will be!

 

[DelW]

You mentioned your railcard being no good on the tube, but if you use TfL at all regularly, it would be worth getting an Oyster card and getting your railcard assigned to it. Gives roughly 1/3 off any off-peak travel in the zones, unlike contactless cards.