10 legit ways to get cheaper rail fares

[CallySleeper]

I live in the south, the Grantham example does not work for me. In any way shape or form, in fact. You are arguing a point that is a no-go. This is a discussion based on people who are trying to get a discount on walk-on fares, not advance purchase, the latter of which you keep promoting.

My point is, then, that an ODT inclusive ticket (such as the Grantham and Rugby tickets) is only available up until a radius out of London - from then on either splitting (for example Yorkie's Grantham split) or buying a ticket for travel to a London termini and then a seperate ticket for onward TFL travel are the only walk-up options. So, the savings from buying ODT inclusive tickets are only available for a proportion of travellers.

Average tourist trip across London I'd say would be possibly 4 trips across zone 1. These being;

• Arrival point - museum
• Museum - restaurant
• Restaurant - theatre
• Theatre - departure point.

Now if the Oyster cash single is £1.50, and the cap is £4.40, then you pay £4.40. If you used the Rugby example we are using for the primary operator to that station (Virgin West Coast, stop trying to argue about Silverlink too, it is useless), you'll be spending £5.90 (I think!) than you need to...

My point reiterated - ODT has it's uses for some, Oyster for others.

 

[Tom]

The Oyster is really only suitable for business types - which is its target market. You're trying to put it forward for the tourist types, which simply doesn't work.

 

[theblackwatch]

The Oyster is really only suitable for business types - which is its target market. You're trying to put it forward for the tourist types, which simply doesn't work.

I think for a start most tourist don't understand, or want to know about, the intricacies of Oyster - they want a simple ticket which allows them to travel on all public transport in London, not somethig which requires them to pay a deposit. A Travelcard fits that bill.

Oyster may be ideal for regular commuters on the Tube in London, but even for business people, I suspect Oyster could be awkward. To get reimbursed, my employer insists on actual receipts being submitted. Is it possible to get a receipt for a journey paid using an Oyster card? I suspect not, though I may be wrong.

 

[CallySleeper]

I think for a start most tourist don't understand, or want to know about, the intricacies of Oyster - they want a simple ticket which allows them to travel on all public transport in London, not somethig which requires them to pay a deposit. A Travelcard fits that bill.

Oyster may be ideal for regular commuters on the Tube in London, but even for business people, I suspect Oyster could be awkward. To get reimbursed, my employer insists on actual receipts being submitted. Is it possible to get a receipt for a journey paid using an Oyster card? I suspect not, though I may be wrong.

A receipt of the purchase of an Oyster Travelcard is probably possible if you ask. The Oyster is ideal for regular users/London residents/commuters etc, but it can be still used by infrequent travellers or tourists, if they wish.

 

[Tom]

It also requires planning in advance, or waiting for 10 hours at a ticket office to get one in the first place, and the whole point of this thread is discounted walk on fares...

 

[Donny Dave]

OK. Peter, think about this....

You don't know for certain what your plans are (including going to London in the first place). So you decide on the day to goto London. You also plan to visit a few places that are spread out around the capitol. How would you go about it?

PS. Don't you 2 ever go to bed?

 

[Tom]

David, you know me well enough for that answer.

I'm up all night, and generally most of the day. I'm in bed right now with my laptop though!!

 

[CallySleeper]

OK. Peter, think about this....

You don't know for certain what your plans are (including going to London in the first place). So you decide on the day to goto London. You also plan to visit a few places that are spread out around the capitol. How would you go about it?

PS. Don't you 2 ever go to bed?

From where?

 

[Donny Dave]

Somewhere where you can't get a CDR. For example....

Scunthorpe.

 

[CallySleeper]

Saver to London is £65.60.

Saver to Grantham is £28.60 + ODT (£32.10) is £60.70. So in theory it should be cheaper to split at Grantham.

GTG, I've got a train to catch.

 

[Donny Dave]

Point proved. Thankyou very much.

Goodnight all. I've of to bed for a couple of hours.

 

[CallySleeper]

Another example of someone who would split. Again, not all can or would. I wouldn't.

 

[Tom]

Click the image for larger version.

This map, the lines in red show (roughly, not completely accurate) where one day travelcards are available to purchase. I've done it based on the ODT code, as there are ADTs available from places including Rugely Trent Valley. Enjoy.

 

[paul1609]

Here in Sussex If I want to go to London today;
ODT £22.70
or Pricebuster Return £13.00
plus Oyster Cap £4.40
Total £17.40
Saving a fiver

If you are prepared to take a diversion on the Bournemouth Branch you can save even more

ODT £38.90 or
Bournemouth to soton CDR £9.70
Pricebuster Return to Lon Vic £13.00
Oyster Cap £4.40
Total £27.10 saving £11.80

 

[yorkie]

OK, what about when all of GNER's tickets have sold out and MM still have tickets available?

this is beyond the scope of the topic. I really doubt its going to be worth it. I have never known anyone do this (other than enthusiasts doing the route for a change, or if the ECML is closed).

You've contradicted yourself!

No. You are using 2 examples I gave.

If you live in PBO, a Y-P holder saves the most by getting an inclusive t/card (versus CDR), because they get 1/3 off the £3 extra.

If you live in YRK, then splitting the tickets at grantham (as opposed to a saver) saves £15ish for a Y-P holder. as I said, a non-railcard holder saves more cash (£22ish).

Or that the majority will necessarily be able to save money anyway?

I am not going to debate what the "majority" can do. The point of the topic is to give examples of how splitting tickets can save money, I added the t/card split as an example. I feel that it is a good example that will benefit many people but I accept there may be exceptions (e.g. this pricebuster thing)

Many other people are physically able given their location - I probably am.

you can save over £10 by getting a travelcard, but you carry on paying more for oyster

What I am saying is, what proportion of those
a) know about splitting tickets, and
b) would be able to split so that they pay less than paying for a direct ticket.

The answers are obviously unknown and off topic but I suspect that it's probably not the majoirty who do.

The purpose is to inform people of splits, so if peopl do not "know about splitting tickets" then that makes my point even more relevant!

(Personally, I have heard about splitting tickets but consider it usually unnecessary and, in the case of London, it would be more expensive in 99% of cases)

arrrgghh!

Show me where it isn't the case then please. Never wondered why TFL keep branding Oyster as "cheaper"?

how many times do I have to give this example?!

ODT from PBO is £3 more for adults, and under £2 more for railcard holders, that is cheaper than cdr + oyster prepay cap.

Yes, ODTs from NR probably serve their purpose, although the situation changes as cheaper AP tickets are introduced.

this topic is about walk-on fares.

There are two routes, two different CDR tickets, two different SVR tickets, and two different ODT tickets. As you can see here, the cheapest of the two tickets for each route is still at least £5.10 cheaper than the equivalent ODT. Also, what is so crucial about the ticket being AP? There is a set for both routes. (although why the saver price is 40 pence cheaper than the CDR price for the VIC route is by the bye)

whatever.

the fact is that the cheapest off peak rugby to london any prmitted walk on fare IS a travelcard.

 

[CallySleeper]

(Bear in mind I have been up since 3)

this is beyond the scope of the topic. I really doubt its going to be worth it. I have never known anyone do this (other than enthusiasts doing the route for a change, or if the ECML is closed).

You see something new everyday.

If you live in YRK, then splitting the tickets at grantham (as opposed to a saver) saves £15ish for a Y-P holder. as I said, a non-railcard holder saves more cash (£22ish).

OK, explain please to braindead of those reading this how it is physically possible for a non-railcard holder to save more than a railcard holder. Suggesting that there is no point in carrying on if I save more without?

you can save over £10 by getting a travelcard, but you carry on paying more for oyster

Me personally or people in general?

The purpose is to inform people of splits, so if peopl do not "know about splitting tickets" then that makes my point even more relevant!

But do you think people who have read the OP article will actually act upon the advice given in it?

arrrgghh!

Personal circumstances, personal preferences.

how many times do I have to give this example?!

ODT from PBO is £3 more for adults, and under £2 more for railcard holders, that is cheaper than cdr + oyster prepay cap.

I think I confused ODTs here, apologies. I was referring to the London ODT and not the Peterborough/Grantham etc. ODT.

whatever.

the fact is that the cheapest off peak rugby to london any prmitted walk on fare IS a travelcard.

Until Tom's post, I didn't see this backed up with any actual evidence.

 

[adambro]

(Bear in mind I have been up since 3)
OK, explain please to braindead of those reading this how it is physically possible for a non-railcard holder to save more than a railcard holder. Suggesting that there is no point in carrying on if I save more without?

I'll answer this one. The point is that without a railcard you save more splitting but the tickets are still more expensive. Think about it. The benefit in splitting tickets in the example given is the same in terms of the percentage discount, 27%.

27% of the higher non rail card price is £20.30 (yorkie's 22ish figure)
27% of the cheaper rail card price is £13.40 (yorkie's 15ish figure)

Both well worth having!

 

[Oracle]

Can I ask a dumb question? An APEX to London from Brockenhurst is cheaper than the next cheapest ticket from Ashurst New Forest. I could drive to Brockie, but can you "break journey" thus buying a Brockoe-Waterloo but get on ANF? I assume not.

As a result of this thread I have found that Southern's cheapest ticket from Southampton-Victoria is fantastic value.

 

[Tom]

APEX tickets do not allow break of journey.

 

[Oracle]

Drive to Brockie then!

 

[Tom]

Although the trick that some people use is a return that just covers their "journey". Valid unless the guard can prove otherwise.... Ashurst - Brockenhurst RTN.

 

[Oracle]

The guards are not stupid around our area, as they see who gets on and note their faces. It's too long from Brockie to ANF for them not to go round checking tickets. Anyhow, Brockie car park is a paying one...so that's out! It might therefore be cheapest to get a CDR ANF-Soton Central then a Southern ticket from there to Victoria, excepting that the guard does not often bother with tickets ANF-Central...so you could (I don't try and always buy) wait and see if you need to purchase one.

I have been on to the Southern site and see that there is a Daysave @ £10 for Soton to Victoria, and Pricebuster @ £13. Take my 16-year old son, 20-year old daughter and 10 year old son and Groupsave looks fantastic value @ £20 plus £1 for the youngest? It's just such a long drag up via Hove though.

 

[paul1609]

if you dont book in time for the Daysave ticket the all network Downlander is a 2 day ahead e ticket which throws in Brighton and Eastbourne Buses for £12.50!

 

[yorkie]

Me personally or people in general?

You personally. There is a walk-on travelcard that will cover your journey into London and then unlimited journeys in Zones 1-6 for £25.60.

However as you are always able to plan your journeys in advance and you never need to go to any NR station within the Zones, I realise you will not be interested, so I won't bore you with the info.

Until Tom's post, I didn't see this backed up with any actual evidence.

What a bizarre statement. If you want to know "evidence" of ticket validities, try using thetrainline / NFM / Avantix traveller. When I mention a particular ticket, I don't expect to have to back it up by pasting full validity restrictions.

 

[thefab444]

The guards are not stupid around our area, as they see who gets on and note their faces. It's too long from Brockie to ANF for them not to go round checking tickets. Anyhow, Brockie car park is a paying one...so that's out!

When we go there on a Mon - Sat, we always park round the back in the housing estate. Not the council bit, but close to where the gate in to the main station car park is. It's not residents only before the pedants ask.

If you're desperate for station car parks, the nearest free one, that isn't at a small station like ANF will be Southampton Airport Parkway. Free Sat/Sun.

 

[Oracle]

You can also park by the Fish & Chip shop I think...have done before. Of course ANF is free! It's also a short walk. Did it last night.


The All Network Downlander is cracking value for £12.50 + £2.50 for kids! Why don't SWT do something similar or do they?

 

[Tom]

SWT are introducing a new super off peak fare in order to fight back Southern's daysave, etc.

Quick easy way to raise fares methinks!

 

[Oracle]

Stuff it...I'm going green. Southern gets my ££££. It's quite a nice little trip via Hove and Gatwick.

 

[CallySleeper]

You personally. There is a walk-on travelcard that will cover your journey into London and then unlimited journeys in Zones 1-6 for £25.60.

Wait, where from?

What a bizarre statement. If you want to know "evidence" of ticket validities, try using thetrainline / NFM / Avantix traveller. When I mention a particular ticket, I don't expect to have to back it up by pasting full validity restrictions.

Well, since you claimed that the ODT was the cheapest ticket, as you'll see here, in particular here the evidence that I had from NRE claimed that it wasn't. As I say, until Tom's post, there wasn't actually anything that I saw that was supporting you.

So, as you said, I did want evidence of the validity, so I did check information sources - and no information presented in this thread until Tom's post was in support of the idea that the ODT was the cheapest ticket. Indeed, all the information that was presented was against the idea that it was the cheapest, as I showed that there were, apparently, cheaper tickets available.

 

[Tom]

Those cheaper tickets are on a slower route (Northampton)...