Watford-Derby

[Dave_D]

I just wonder if anyone can help.

Travelling Watford to Derby early morning on a weekday and returning later in the evening on the same day.

Need flexibility for the return leg and have a network Southeast card.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@Dave_D. Welcome to the forum. What time are you planning on setting off from Watford/arriving in Derby?

Doubt the Network railcard will be much use, particularly on the outward leg, if travelling on a weekday before 10.

 

[jfollows]

Decide whether you want to go via London or, cheaper, via Tamworth.
£256.90 anytime return via London, £228.40 via Tamworth.
This site‘s ticketing engine will try and find cheaper tickets including split tickets.

 

[Haywain]

£256.90 anytime return via London, £228.40 via Tamworth.

Likely to be cheaper buying singles each way although I would expect that the forum site will reveal the best options.

 

[Dave_D]

I’d like to arrive in Derby by about 11 am.

Suggest it might be best to get an advance to keep one way and then off peak single the other unless there’s any other alternative

 

[sonic2009]

Definitely check out the forum's ticket site. But I'd say that LNWR & XC advances via Tamworth will possibly be the cheapest route.

 

[A S Leib]

An anytime return from Watford Junction to Derby Tamworth (WMR & LNR only) is £87.70 and an anytime day return is £19.10 for a total of £106.80.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

An anytime return from Watford Junction to Derby (WMR & LNR only) is £87.70 and an anytime day return is £19.10 for a total of £106.80.

Is that actually a split fare to some intermediate station (Tamworth)?

 

[A S Leib]

Is that actually a split fare to some intermediate station (Tamworth)?

Yes, that's what I meant to say.

 

[richardderby]

yes Tamworth is your friend for cheaper tickets. there are very cheap advances from Milton Keynes to Tamworth on early morning trains (£6.80) if that helps. avoid Avanti if you want the cheaper fares. an off peak return from Euston to Derby is £60.20 valid at 0846 arriving 1038 in Derby, you may be able to start at Watford J at 0838 but I am not sure.

 

[Dave_D]

Thanks for your help.

The £60.20 looks best for me unfortunately it doesn’t allow a break of journey so I’ll have to go into Euston to come back again

 

[Watershed]

Thanks for your help.

The £60.20 looks best for me unfortunately it doesn’t allow a break of journey so I’ll have to go into Euston to come back again

It's a lot faster to double back via Euston anyway, but yes, technically speaking the ticket does have a break of journey restriction on the outward leg.

That said, it's unlikely many (if any) members of staff are aware of this though - if you encounter any issues at the Harrow barriers it will more likely be from the ticket not automatically working the barriers, and the London Overground barrier staff not understanding the general concept of break of journey. I would say it's worth a try - the worst case scenario is simply having to circulate via Euston as planned.

 

[Dave_D]

Thanks for that Watershed, unfortunately it wouldn’t really help because in order to travel northbound from Watford I would have to board a train that left Euston before 0845, which I believe is the cut-off for this ticket.

It’s interesting on the LNWR show the ticket restrictions on their website. I haven’t seen that before.