Child rate on Overground

DeeGee · 3 May 2019

Really quick query - deciding whether to bother with a Zip photocard application or not. We go to London a few times a year.

My boy is 9. We're going to Wembley for the cup final, and staying with my brother in Walthamstow.

Now, I know if we go Victoria Line to Kings Cross and then Metropolitan Line to Wembley Park, we can go to the gate and then I only need to pay for myself with contactless.

Does it work the same way if I go Queen's Road, Gospel Oak, Willesden Junction and Wembley Central on the Overground? Or will I have to buy him a ticket?

Because if I will, then I might as well get him a Zip Oyster, as then, AIUI, he can travel for free.

RailUK Forums

Clip · 3 May 2019

They can still travel for free with you on the Overground

Surreytraveller · 3 May 2019

Yes, children under 11 are free on TfL and certain National Rail services. I believe the Zip costs £10.
But it will expire when he's 11, so it may not be worth it. Depends how much use he makes of it

DeeGee · 3 May 2019

Surreytraveller said:
Yes, children under 11 are free on TfL and certain National Rail services.

Does that mean that, because London Overground is TfL, he's free? And would that even apply out to Watford on the DC line?

Surreytraveller said:
I believe the Zip costs £10. But it will expire when he's 11, so it may not be worth it. Depends how much use he makes of it

Three or four times a year, and to be honest, we'd use an outboundary Travelcard most of the time, so it probably isn't worth it.

Now, alternatively, if I fancied going into London first, would I be able to get a 1-6 travelcard with a F&F discount? If I just use the Overground is it still cheaper to PAYG or buy a paper ticket with a railcard discount. Not sure how to work out the PAYG fare as I generally only tootle about from St Pancras waving a card until I hit the daily cap.

Puffing Devil · 4 May 2019

DeeGee said:
Does that mean that, because London Overground is TfL, he's free? And would that even apply out to Watford on the DC line?

Three or four times a year, and to be honest, we'd use an outboundary Travelcard most of the time, so it probably isn't worth it.

Now, alternatively, if I fancied going into London first, would I be able to get a 1-6 travelcard with a F&F discount? If I just use the Overground is it still cheaper to PAYG or buy a paper ticket with a railcard discount. Not sure how to work out the PAYG fare as I generally only tootle about from St Pancras waving a card until I hit the daily cap.

The 1-6 Travelcard usually is the cheapest way to go, as one for the pair of you is less than an Adult only and you don't have to faff around with gates or worry if you should pay for some sections or not. Make the trip to Wembley and back and another trip in Central London and you'll be about even.

bkhtele · 4 May 2019

If you don’t have a f&f railcard many National rail routes offer the family off peak travelcard with child travelcard for £1

DeeGee · 7 May 2019

Puffing Devil said:
The 1-6 Travelcard usually is the cheapest way to go, as one for the pair of you is less than an Adult only and you don't have to faff around with gates or worry if you should pay for some sections or not. Make the trip to Wembley and back and another trip in Central London and you'll be about even.

Can I buy one in advance? Thinking about maybe going over to try Wanstead parkrun on the Saturday morning, or perhaps for a slide down the Orbit, but I'd be taking a bus, so I wouldn't mind buying my travelcard when I arrive at Walthamstow the night before. Or even online?

Puffing Devil · 7 May 2019

You should be able to get them at any ticket office, in advance. Even Grimsby!

Then again, things don't always go to plan: Have a look at this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...r-fujitsu-star-station-ticket-machine.178319/

DeeGee · 7 May 2019

Puffing Devil said:
You should be able to get them at any ticket office, in advance. Even Grimsby!

Then again, things don't always go to plan: Have a look at this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...r-fujitsu-star-station-ticket-machine.178319/

Thanks,

Cheers, just tried to get a Turkey Street to Underground Zones 1-6 on the mobile version of the Transpennine Express website, but it isn't working at the minute.

Although actually, thinking about it, I might get it with an origin of Angel Road. Will that work...?

Mojo · 7 May 2019

Unless you are planning on going on National Rail services, there is no point in buying a child-rate Travelcard, even for £1, as up to four children travel free with an adult who holds a valid ticket on Overground, TfL Rail, London Underground, Buses, Trams, DLR, and certain National Rail routes. This map shows you how it works for NR services: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/free-travel-areas-without-oyster-adult-accompanying-map.pdf

For when your Child is over 11, you might wish to instead consider getting the Young Visitor discount added to a standard Oyster card for half adult rate Pay As You Go travel. This can be done at most LU stations, the Visitor information centres, or the Southern railway booking office at Victoria station. This is however time limited so not of any use if you live in London, it's designed for irregular customers. See https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card#on-this-page-7

tony_mac · 7 May 2019

According to that page, the Young Visitor rate is only for Visitor Oyster cards.

Puffing Devil · 7 May 2019

Mojo said:
Unless you are planning on going on National Rail services, there is no point in buying a child-rate Travelcard, even for £1, as up to four children travel free with an adult who holds a valid ticket on Overground, TfL Rail, London Underground, Buses, Trams, DLR, and certain National Rail routes. This map shows you how it works for NR services: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/free-travel-areas-without-oyster-adult-accompanying-map.pdf

For when your Child is over 11, you might wish to instead consider getting the Young Visitor discount added to a standard Oyster card for half adult rate Pay As You Go travel. This can be done at most LU stations, the Visitor information centres, or the Southern railway booking office at Victoria station. This is however time limited so not of any use if you live in London, it's designed for irregular customers. See https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card#on-this-page-7

You're forgetting that the F&F discount makes it cheaper to buy a travelcard for a child with the discount, the cost of both with the discount is less than a full-price adult travelcard.

tony_mac said:
According to that page, the Young Visitor rate is only for Visitor Oyster cards.

I've had it applied to "normal" Oyster Cards.

DeeGee said:
Thanks,

Cheers, just tried to get a Turkey Street to Underground Zones 1-6 on the mobile version of the Transpennine Express website, but it isn't working at the minute.

Although actually, thinking about it, I might get it with an origin of Angel Road. Will that work...?

I've never bought one online, always at a ticket office. You should be able to get one at Grimsby as you leave for London, or at KX when you arrive.

DeeGee · 7 May 2019

Mojo said:
Unless you are planning on going on National Rail services, there is no point in buying a child-rate Travelcard, even for £1, as up to four children travel free with an adult who holds a valid ticket on Overground, TfL Rail, London Underground, Buses, Trams, DLR, and certain National Rail routes. This map shows you how it works for NR services: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/free-travel-areas-without-oyster-adult-accompanying-map.pdf

Having had a little look, it looks like Zone 4 is the tipping point for this.

The daily cap for Z4 is 10.10, 1 adult and 1 child 1-6 travelcards are 8.60+2.50=11.10 with a F&F railcard.
The cap in Z5 is 12.00.

As Wembley will be the furthest I go, and that will possibly be avoiding Z1, I reckon you're right.

Mojo · 7 May 2019

tony_mac said:
According to that page, the Young Visitor rate is only for Visitor Oyster cards.

It isn't, it's for any Oyster card. I just linked to the page on the Visitor Oyster Card page because I couldn't find where it's mentioned on the main website.

Joe Paxton · 7 May 2019

Mojo said:
It isn't, it's for any Oyster card. I just linked to the page on the Visitor Oyster Card page because I couldn't find where it's mentioned on the main website.

It's mentioned here (somewhat buried away):
tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/11-15-zip-oyster-photocard?intcmp=55575#on-this-page-5

See the bit I've underlined:

Young Visitor discount

If you don't live in London and you're visiting with children who don't have an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard, they can get discounted travel for up to 14 days with the Young Visitor discount:

50% off adult-rate pay as you go fares and daily caps on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and most National Rail services

50% off adult rate tickets on the Emirates Air Line and Thames Clippers River Bus services

The discount can be added to a standard Oyster card or Visitor Oyster card by a member of staff at:

Any Tube, London Overground or TfL Rail station

Visitor Centres (except Gatwick Airport South Terminal)

Victoria National Rail station ticket office

The children must be with you when you ask for the Young Visitor discount.

Joe Paxton · 7 May 2019

DeeGee said:
Cheers, just tried to get a Turkey Street to Underground Zones 1-6 on the mobile version of the Transpennine Express website, but it isn't working at the minute.

Although actually, thinking about it, I might get it with an origin of Angel Road. Will that work...?

Puffing Devil said:
...
I've never bought one online, always at a ticket office. You should be able to get one at Grimsby as you leave for London, or at KX when you arrive.

It is possible to buy Day Travelcards online, however there's a formula you need to follow - pick an origin station in zone 6 (or 5), for example Enfield Lock, and enter "London" or "London Terminals" as the destination (a named terminal such as Liverpool Street works as well) - entering "Underground Zones 1-6" doesn't work. Search for a return journey at off-peak times (after 0930 weekdays) - one of the tickets offered should be the Day Travelcard.

Puffing Devil · 7 May 2019

Thanks for that tip!

DeeGee · 8 May 2019

Mojo said:
Unless you are planning on going on National Rail services...

Now, I've looked at this further. As I suggested, the original plan was to get from Walthamstow to Wembley on the GOBLIN/NLL, or Victoria/Metropolitan lines.

However, I'm conscious that Kick Off is at 5pm, normal time won't be done before nearly 7pm, and in the highly unlikely event of extra time and penalties we could be going on 'til 8, which is quite a late night out for my boy.

Getting back to Walthamstow, we'll want a quick and easy route, and I've been to concerts at Wembley before (although never the football) so I know what it's like getting out.

I have a feeling that Wembley Central will be the main focus of the Watford Fans to get back up the DC line. Not sure how all the Man City fans will be getting home to Bristol, Norwich and Dubai, but I imagine they'll probably Met Line to Euston, which is also where the Watford fans from the Luton-supporting boroughs north of Watford (Kings Langley, Hemel, Apsley) will be going too.

So I'm thinking that Wembley Stadium station to Marylebone might actually be my best option.

Mojo said:
Unless you are planning on going on National Rail services, there is no point in buying a child-rate Travelcard, even for £1, as up to four children travel free with an adult who holds a valid ticket on Overground, TfL Rail, London Underground, Buses, Trams, DLR, and certain National Rail routes. This map shows you how it works for NR services: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/free-travel-areas-without-oyster-adult-accompanying-map.pdf

Judging by the map, and based on the fact that we don't have a Zip Oystercard and have discounted it as an unnecessary cost, perhaps the extra quid for paper Travelcards might actually be the way to go as that way, at least, I have the convenience of being able to choose any route home?

Or am I overthinking it?

Puffing Devil · 8 May 2019

DeeGee said:
So I'm thinking that Wembley Stadium station to Marylebone might actually be my best option.

IMHO It's the best way out of the Stadium into the centre of town. Run like the wind at the end of the game and you'll be one of the first in line.

DeeGee · 8 May 2019

Puffing Devil said:
Run like the wind at the end of the game and you'll be one of the first in line.

I think it's very unlikely that I'll be standing around to applaud my team's success. Plus, I'm that side of the stadium anyway.

Puffing Devil · 8 May 2019

DeeGee said:
I think it's very unlikely that I'll be standing around to applaud my team's success. Plus, I'm that side of the stadium anyway.

I'll be there too, supporting City as I left Grimsby many years ago.... Still see the Mariners when I can, last time was a couple of weeks ago at Notts County.

DeeGee · 8 May 2019

Funnily there are at least six other Watford fans that I know of travelling up from Grimsby that weekend. We've got our own little community here!

DeeGee · 9 May 2019

Joe Paxton said:
It is possible to buy Day Travelcards online, however there's a formula you need to follow - pick an origin station in zone 6 (or 5), for example Enfield Lock, and enter "London" or "London Terminals" as the destination (a named terminal such as Liverpool Street works as well) - entering "Underground Zones 1-6" doesn't work. Search for a return journey at off-peak times (after 0930 weekdays) - one of the tickets offered should be the Day Travelcard.

Perfect, I've done Turkey Street to Liverpool Street as a Day Travelcard. That saves any need to queue or faff about at either Grimsby Town, Finsbury Park or Walthamstow Central on the Friday night (I'm only giving myself 10 minutes or so between arriving at GMB and the train going, and want to get the boy to our digs ASAP) and means I can get straight onto a bus on the Saturday morning, and gives me the versatility to use Wembley Stadium station.

Child rate on Overground

Member

RailUK Forums

Established Member

On Moderation

Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Forum Staff

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Forum Staff

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Member