Rail Travel Advice

[lankeela]

Chris can you advise me - need to go to London Tuesday next week arriving around 10 - 10.30 ish from Attleborough (usually go via Cambridge). Finding it more complicated than ever to work out trains/tickets! Probably will only go this once or maybe once more later in the year, so don't think it is worth getting a senior citizens railcard.

[lankeela]

Need to get to Green Park.

[Buenchico]

Are you returning on the same day and, if so, are you able to avoid the evening peak period?

[Buenchico]

Assuming that you'll be returning on the same day, you can catch the 0749 train from Attleborough to Ely, arriving at 0827. Then take the 0845 train from Ely to Kings Cross, arriving into Kings Cross at 1004. The regular Off-Peak Return fare is available on that train for £52.80. (It's a 'walk-up' fare, so there's no need to book in advance).

Using an Off-Peak ticket will mean though that you will need to commence your return journey from Kings Cross no later than 1612 OR from 1912 onwards. (Using peak-time services would cost you a whopping £119.10).

If you're only going to Green Park (and not then onto other places in London), the cheapest way to add on the bit between Kings Cross and Green Park is simply to use a contactless debit card for your Tube journeys. (£2.70 outbound. Either £2.70 or £2.80 for the return journey, depending upon whether or not it commences between 1600 and 1900).

If you'll be touring around central London though, it might be better to buy an Off-Peak Travelcard at Attleborough for £60.40. (Although it's called 'Off-Peak', it can still be used without extra charge between 1600 and 1900 on the Tube).

There aren't any 'Advance' tickets available from Attleborough to London when you want to travel. If I can find any available by splitting your journey at Ely or Cambridge, I'll post again.

[Buenchico]

PS: A Senior Railcard costs £30 for one year (or £70 for 3 years):
https://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/

It saves you 34% on fares, so that the £52.80 fare quoted above would be reduced to £34.80. (i.e. a saving of £18). So if you were to make just two such journeys in a year, you'd save money by getting a Senior Railcard.

[Buenchico]

PPS: There aren't any 'Advance' fares available by splitting your journey.

It's a couple of quid cheaper to book Off-Peak fares from Attleborough to Cambridge and then from Cambridge to Kings Cross, for £20.40 + £30.30 = £50.70 in total.

[lankeela]

Thanks a lot, can always rely on you! One I looked at wanted to send me into Norwich and back out to Liverpool Street.

[mushroom25]

.......or drive to Diss? advance fare Diss to LST for arrivals after 09h15 = £28.00, or less. same in the return direction, even in the peak.