Family and Friends Railcard query

[coastwallker]

Morning all

I have been trying to work out the fare options for my family for visit to London next week. They will be 2 adults, a four year old and a two year old. If they get a Family and Friends railcard and pay for the four year old that will work out cheaper I think, but do they need to also buy a ticket for the two year old or does he still travel free.

The journey will be Peterborough to London and on to the science museum in case anyone can come up with ideas for making the day more economical. We have investigated driving to Stevenage and catching the train there or travelling directly from Peterborough.

Many thanks for any words of wisdom.

 

[Darandio]

The two year old will travel free, but as the four year old should travel free, i'm not sure you can buy a ticket for them?

And as both children are under 5, doesn't that mean an F&F railcard won't be valid?

 

[Hadders]

The two year old will travel free, but as the four year old should travel free, i'm not sure you can buy a ticket for them?

And as both children are under 5, doesn't that mean an F&F railcard won't be valid?

You are allowed to purchase a ticket for an under 5 year old to use with a F&F Railcard and is even mentioned in the terms and conditions.

http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/help/railcard-terms-conditions/

If the only child in the Family & Friends Railcard group is aged under five years, the Railcard holder must purchase a discounted ticket for that child in order for the Railcard holder(s) to qualify for the discount on their tickets.

 

[Darandio]

You learn something new every day....

 

[30907]

It is perfectly in order to buy a ticket for an under 5 to take advantage of a F&F. There is no need to pay for a second child, unless you want them also to have a seat (I recall doing this many years ago on long distance trips, to allow our toddler to have a nap...).

Beaten to it!

 

[coastwallker]

Thank you. I knew about validity for one under five - it was just the other one I wasn't sure of. I know someone who has been using a F&F card since her child was a baby.
Chances of this two year old needing a nap are zilch, sadly!

 

[Greenback]

Would it be better to get a Two Together Railcard and not buy any tickets for the little ones?

 

[coastwallker]

Would it be better to get a Two Together Railcard and not buy any tickets for the little ones?

I did have wonder about that but as the eldest turns five in May, we will need to pay for him after that. The family rail card means we can take them out and about over the summer too. I think it will pay for itself in a year.

Also if the two named people are me and my daughter, each of us can take them out on our own. I am educating them in the excitement of train travel! She lives in Peterborough and I am in Surrey so it will need a bit of organisation but I think it will work.

 

[Greenback]

That answers that question very nicely, then! It was just a thought

 

[Gareth Marston]

That answers that question very nicely, then! It was just a thought

Two Togethar is only valid after 0930 M-f which limits it a lot.
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Thank you. I knew about validity for one under five - it was just the other one I wasn't sure of. I know someone who has been using a F&F card since her child was a baby.
Chances of this two year old needing a nap are zilch, sadly!

I don't think anyone is going to fret too much about whether the little one is nearly 5 or not, it's the bloke with a beard who asks for a child ticket that raises suspicion.

 

[Greenback]

I don't find the time limit particularly bothersome. It does mean that most of our day trips are on a Saturday, but as the missus works Monday to Friday anyway, we wouldn't usually go out for the day anyway. It's handy to save a little bit of money on evening trips to Carmarthen, Cardiff or Swansea, but mostly we use to to save money on holidays and short breaks.

It was just a suggestion, and one that coastwalker had already considered themselves.

 

[blakey1152]

Depending on how long a distance you are travelling and if there are reservations on the journey you wanted to make it may even possibly be worth buying a ticket for both children to guarantee a seat for everyone (and possibly even a table for four as well)

 

[NeilWatson]

I would certainly consider driving to Huntingdon at least, the car-park is cheaper and easier to access than Peterborough.

 

[coastwallker]

Thanks everyone. Card now purchased and I have the perfect excuse to kidnap the grandsons and take them on railway adventures.

For this trip, they have decided to drive to Stevenage and come into London from there.

 

[Hadders]

I'm sure you'll enjoy the trip. Class 365 trains with their 'smiley' faces are the perfect train for small children