confusion to go to london

[richw]

Please read my revised questions in post number 7 of this thread. Have had a slight change of plan, due to hotel prices!!!

My wife wants to go for a trip to some various London Tourist Attractions.

Is there a ticket i can buy from Truro to cover unlimited travel on the underground for the day, or is it just available for single journey to a zone?

If i was to buy a Truro to Zone 1 does this cover one solitary journey to any underground station, i.e. zone 2 or just those in zone 1?

We are looking to go for a 2 night stay between 22/9 and 27/9, with any 2 nights in that period possible!

Thanks in advance!

 

[SS4]

You can get day travelcards added onto your ticket from Truro or you can buy one in London the choice is yours.

If you're having a two night stay I suggest getting an Oyster card though since it's better value.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

A ticket from anywhere to U1 (zone 1) is for one trip to any station in Zone 1. The price is a couple of pounds more, which IIRC is the TfL fare (£2) for a single to and from anywhere in Zone 1, so you are paying for that on top.

Otherwise you can get a Truro to Zone 1-6, and will be a bit cheaper that a return too, so if you go to Paddington you pay for Truro to Airport Junction basically, as you have the travelcard you are covering the zones from there on, if you see what I mean...

 

[yorkie]

Inclusive walk-on tickets from Truro (assuming off-peak travel) to the Travelcard Zones:

One Day Travelcards

Truro - London Zones 1-6
Super Off Peak One Day Travelcard £94.00
Out: Valid on 0720 & later from Truro
Rtn: Valid on departures from PAD betwen 1003 & 1510 and from 1901.
Validity: 1 Day.
As this is a Travelcard it includes unlimited travel within Zones 1-6 as per the Travelcard conditions.

If you wish to travel earlier than this, the Off Peak One Day Travelcard is priced at £112.00 and is valid on the 0605 & later from Truro

Returns to LU destinations

Truro to Zone U123* London
Super Off Peak Return £95.00
Out: Valid on 0720 & later from Truro
Rtn: Valid on departures from PAD betwen 1003 & 1510 and from 1901.
Validity: out: 1 day rtn: 1 month
This includes return travel to any LU station in Zones 1, 2 or 3

Truro to Zone U1234* London
As above, but priced at £95.80

Truro to Zone U1245 London
As above, but priced at £97.20

Truro to Zone U1256 London
As above, but priced at £98.00

If you wish to travel earlier than this, the Off Peak Return is priced between £113.00 and £116.00 depending on the zone the destination is in, and is valid on the 0605 & later from Truro

 

[lemonic]

Note that you won't want to get an inclusive travelcard i.e. Truro to London Zones 1-6 if you are returning on a different day.

 

[yorkie]

A ticket from anywhere to U1 (zone 1) is for one trip to any station in Zone 1.

True. Though it's worth mentioning that this case, the fares to U1 are the same as U123, so no extra to go to Zone 3.

The price is a couple of pounds more

The Super Off Peak Rtn to London Terminals is £89.00, so the difference is £6.00 (or £3.00 each way)

which IIRC is the TfL fare (£2) for a single to and from anywhere in Zone 1, so you are paying for that on top.

The cash fare for a Zone 1 single is £4. The Oyster PAYG fare for a Zone 1 single is £1.90

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/tickets/faresandtickets/farefinder/current/

Otherwise you can get a Truro to Zone 1-6, and will be a bit cheaper that a return too, so if you go to Paddington you pay for Truro to Airport Junction basically, as you have the travelcard you are covering the zones from there on, if you see what I mean...

I don't quite follow that! But a Truro to London Zones 1-6 is a One Day Travelcard (ticket code: 'ODT') which has a validity of 1 day. This is a lot more restrictive than a (Super) Off Peak Return (ticket codes: SSR /SVR) which have a validity of 1 month for the return portion. Unfortunately if the OP is staying overnight then the ODT from Truro is of no use.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You can get day travelcards added onto your ticket from Truro or you can buy one in London the choice is yours.

They can't get a Travelcard added onto a (Super) Off Peak Return from Truro to London. They will need separate Travelcards, but they can be purchased at Truro or Paddington (or possibly on board)

If you're having a two night stay I suggest getting an Oyster card though since it's better value.

It's not necessarily better value, but providing the user always touches in/out correctly then it will not exceed the cost of separate One Day Travelcards, given that the daily cap is the same price as the appropriate Travelcard rate. Therefore, providing the user does not reach the cap, then I agree that Oyster will be better value.

 

[richw]

I've Looked into this a bit more and we're Probably going to find it most cost effective to stay in a hotel in Reading that i can get at a discount through my work's staff discount scheme. (i dont work for a hotel firm, although my company have a partnership that gives discount). Staying in Reading saves me at least £50-60 a night. i'm thinking travel up to Reading on the Friday evening, and go into London on the Saturday for the day, before returning home on the sunday so heres my further querys:

Is an off peak ticket valid all day on a saturday for any service at £16 for me with no railcard and £10.55 for my wife with her YP railcard?

All the attractions we wish to visit are in zone 1, so am i best off buying a 1 day R12 travelcard at £6.60 each or paying as we go (i've been unable to find costings of individual journeys, but plan to visit 3 different locations?

Am i right in thinking its about 30 mins from Reading to Paddington, and best to try and get on a HST so as not to call at most of the intermediate stations?

APologies for the above answers no longer being applicable, hadnt looked into the cost of hotels when i asked the original question

 

[SS4]

Is an off peak ticket valid all day on a saturday for any service at £16 for me with no railcard and £10.55 for my wife with her YP railcard?

Yes. (I haven't checked but I will be very surprised if it's not!)

All the attractions we wish to visit are in zone 1, so am i best off buying a 1 day R12 travelcard at £6.60 each or paying as we go (i've been unable to find costings of individual journeys, but plan to visit 3 different locations?

What attractions do you plan on seeing? Some of them are pretty close together and it would be more efficient to walk between those.
A travelcard is definitely better than paying single cash fares and your wife would still get her Y-P discount.
[/QUOTE]

 

[tony_mac]

A zones 1-6 travelcard from Reading is usually the best bet - it's £4.50 more than the day return (less with a railcard).

It can be very busy at weekends - sometimes it is worth waiting for the next service (or taking a slower one) if you don't want to spend the journey rammed into a vestibule. (Or £5 each way for weekend first)

 

[richw]

madame tussauds is top of the list (nearest tube baker street?)
also wish to view houses of parliament, and buckingham palace (is this even possible?)
I want to take a trip on the London Eye, but unsure if i'd get her on it!
and if time we'd like to take a river trip.
Unsure if we'd squeeze all this in to 1 day.

Unbelievably despite having travelled to London every week for work from 2008-2010 i've never done any sightseeing etc, literally caught the train, gone to the accomodation, and gone to work, got my tea, and gone back to the accomodation, as i was never confident enough to venture out on my own!!!!

 

[SS4]

madame tussauds is top of the list (nearest tube baker street?)
also wish to view houses of parliament, and buckingham palace (is this even possible?)
I want to take a trip on the London Eye, but unsure if i'd get her on it!
and if time we'd like to take a river trip.
Unsure if we'd squeeze all this in to 1 day.

Unbelievably despite having travelled to London every week for work from 2008-2010 i've never done any sightseeing etc, literally caught the train, gone to the accomodation, and gone to work, got my tea, and gone back to the accomodation, as i was never confident enough to venture out on my own!!!!

Baker St is indeed the nearest Tube station to Madame Taussauds. It also, rather ironically, has a no smoking sign over a tile of Sherlock Holmes smoking his pipe! (the station that is)

The Houses of Parliament, London Eye and the River Trip are all near Westminster tube station so it's easier to walk between them. I believe Buckingham Palace is near Green Park.

I have to admit from the times I've done the tourist stuff that Parliament and the Eye look better at night so you may want to end there. It is difficult to say how much you could get done in a day, it depends how much detail you pay to each site but it can be done.

You can walk along the path directly outside Parliament and get a good view at the architecture, not sure about Buckingham Palace. I know Downing St is closed off by armed guards though.

 

[richw]

can i assume services run back to Reading quite late on saturday night, so as to get those in at night?

 

[TEW]

The last train is 0100 on Sunday morning, so yes they do run late. Catching the very late night trains may not be the most pleasant experience though.

 

[swadbus]

madame tussauds is top of the list (nearest tube baker street?)
also wish to view houses of parliament, and buckingham palace (is this even possible?)
I want to take a trip on the London Eye, but unsure if i'd get her on it!
and if time we'd like to take a river trip.
Unsure if we'd squeeze all this in to 1 day.

Unbelievably despite having travelled to London every week for work from 2008-2010 i've never done any sightseeing etc, literally caught the train, gone to the accomodation, and gone to work, got my tea, and gone back to the accomodation, as i was never confident enough to venture out on my own!!!!

You can get a direct bus (453) £2.20p each cash fare, from Madame tussauds to Trafalgar square. No transport serves Buckingham palace but it's a nice 10/15 min walk from there to Buckingham palace.

Buckingham palace, Downing street, Whitehall, Trafalgar square and the london eye are all relatively close to one another, and as long as you're able bodied, you will be able to visit all of them by foot no problem. Each one only about 10 to 15 mins walk away from one another.

 

[richw]

No i wouldnt want to be that late, although useful to know. Wife always going on about wanting to see a west end show, so i may be able to surprise her with one if the trains run back late enough, while we are there!

 

[John @ home]

A zones 1-6 travelcard from Reading is usually the best bet

Agreed. A Reading - London Zones 1-6 Off-Peak One Day Travelcard is £20.50 (reduced to £13.55 for a national Railcard holder) and covers all trains, tubes, buses and trams in Greater London, and the Docklands Light Railway.

if time we'd like to take a river trip.

A Travelcard also gives a third off River Bus and River Tour services on the Thames. See River fares.

 

[bb21]

If you plan to continue your journey into London before 1200 on Saturday then you don't need to buy separate walk-on tickets for Truro - Reading and Reading - London. You may break your journey overnight at Reading if you wish on the outbound portion of a Truro - London Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak Return as long as you commence your onward journey the following day before 1200. Being Saturday there is no morning restriction either. The full text from Avantix is

Super Off-Peak Singles and the outward portion of Super Off-Peak Returns are valid for travel on the date shown on the ticket. Where a passenger wishes to stop overnight or the journey cannot be completed within one_day, break of journey for an overnight stay is allowed. Where a journey continues into the next day, travel must resume before 1200 and any relevant time restrictions apply (except where regarded as an unbroken continuation of the previous days' travel where the first connection of the day may be taken). No further break of_journey is allowed except for the purposes of changing trains. Please note that break of journey is not prmitted on some journeys, as detailed in the ticket restrictions.

 

[richw]

Thank you BB21 i wasnt aware of such an ability to do that!

I've now booked to stay at the Hilton Hotel in Reading, through my work discount and cash back scheme, it worked out cheaper than staying at premier inn etc at such short notice!!!!
I've also just booked to see the Lion King at the Lyceum theatre for the 1430 show. so will definitely be going into London by 1200.
I may have to drive to Reading unfortunately, due to my mum being unable to have my daughter until 6pm, and living 20 mins from Truro, i wont be able to get to catch the last train in time at Truro. i'd hoping to be able to find a baby sitter for the afternoon my mum could collect her from though!
We will definitely be train from Reading to London however as their is zero chance i am willing to drive in to London!

 

[LexyBoy]

Off Peak Travelcards from Reading at £20/13 are the simplest choice then unless you don't plan to travel around London much in which case there could be a cheaper option. Valid all day on weekends. As you say, it's around 30 minutes to Paddington - during the daytime you won't be waiting more than ten minutes. Fast trains are announced as destination "London Paddington" whilst stopping trains are "Ealing Broadway" (except very early/late). Most fast trains are HSTs.

Madame Tussauds is not far to walk from Paddington; most of the other stuff you mention can be done on foot starting from e.g. Westminster. Personally if I'm not in a hurry I much prefer taking the bus in London to the Tube, it's much more interesting and doesn't leave you feeling rushed off your feet. It can be slow though, especially any route going via Oxford Street.

The Hilton in Reading is on Kennet Island, near the Green Park business area but quite a way from the station. Parking at Reading station is over £20 for the day, and you'd be unlikely to find anywhere cheaper. You could take the bus (map) - the 40 goes from the hotel to the station half-hourly (times), or the 6 which goes up Basingstoke road (times). If you'll be using the bus it's worth getting PlusBus with your Travelcards (would need to buy in advance in order to use it to the station of course!) - £3 or £2 with Railcard. Otherwise the bus is £1.70 single / £3.80 day pass / £7 group (£5 on Sundays) - exact change only!

 

[Flamingo]

If going sightseeing, don't forget http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/, 2 for 1 admission when the voucher is presented with a train-ticket.

If you pick up the booklet (available at Paddington) then the vouchers are in the back, and you can fill them in at wherever you are going, as opposed to having to print them out before travelling. This gives a bit more flexibility.

If staying in Reading, don't forget that weekdays between 16.00 and 19.15 (I think) that off-peak tickets from Paddington to Reading are only valid on the stoppers, not the direct HST's.

 

[richw]

Thanks all, excellent advise. Flamingo the weekday restriction isnt applicable as its a Saturday I shall be using

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

 

[Flamingo]

Have a good trip

 

[bb21]

Flamingo the weekday restriction isnt applicable as its a Saturday I shall be using

It will be applicable if you're on one of his trains as he believes so.

Seriously if you run into him I'm sure you'll get very good service.

 

[richw]

It will be applicable if you're on one of his trains as he believes so.

Seriously if you run into him I'm sure you'll get very good service.

Although i wouldnt know if i did, unless he knows what services he is rostered on on 24th?

 

[bb21]

Although i wouldnt know if i did, unless he knows what services he is rostered on on 24th?

Watch out for the TM who announces split-ticket restrictions prior to departure, especially people who split at Didcot.

 

[Flamingo]

Although i wouldnt know if i did, unless he knows what services he is rostered on on 24th?

Not off-hand, my brain only works a day or two in advance!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Watch out for the TM who announces split-ticket restrictions prior to departure, especially people who split at Didcot.

Naw a few of us do that!

Funnily enough, when clearing out the First Class vestibules or charging up split tickets, the first thing that get's said is "You are the only person who does this" or "This has never happened before". But it get's said to all of us! It even gets said by people I saw a few days earlier. Is this a symptom of some mass amnesia?

 

[richw]

we get it in my work all the time,
"oh i normally get charge £x for this"
"well theres only 1 way of doing it on the till system and that what it charges, i cant overide it"