Cambridge-Benfleet

[XmaX]

I might need to travel on that route on a weekend. Off-peak day return with a 16-25 railcard costs £27, with an easy connection at Liverpool Street. I can get it cheaper by instead getting a Cambridge Zone 1-6 Off-Peak Travelcard at £15.20 which would bring me all the way to Upminster, followed by a return Upminster-Benfleet at £5.30.

An even cheaper option would be to get a return Cambridge-Cheshunt at £9.65, followed by Cheshunt-Upminster (via Stratford) on Oyster at £1.80 (with the railcard discount applied), and then Upminster-Benfleet at £5.30. This saves me £1.95, but would probably be a bit hard to do, especially as I'd need to leave the train at Upminster, touch out my Oyster and return to the train. Does Upminster have Oyster readers on platforms?

Any other, cheaper options?

 

[yorkie]

I can't see anything here http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/upminster-station-plan to conclude if there are readers on all platforms, but I wonder if MikeWh may know... (I've sent him a PM to alert him of this thread)

 

[PeterC]

I might need to travel on that route on a weekend. Off-peak day return with a 16-25 railcard costs £27, with an easy connection at Liverpool Street. I can get it cheaper by instead getting a Cambridge Zone 1-6 Off-Peak Travelcard at £15.20 which would bring me all the way to Upminster, followed by a return Upminster-Benfleet at £5.30.

An even cheaper option would be to get a return Cambridge-Cheshunt at £9.65, followed by Cheshunt-Upminster (via Stratford) on Oyster at £1.80 (with the railcard discount applied), and then Upminster-Benfleet at £5.30. This saves me £1.95, but would probably be a bit hard to do, especially as I'd need to leave the train at Upminster, touch out my Oyster and return to the train. Does Upminster have Oyster readers on platforms?

Any other, cheaper options?

The photos clearly show Oyster readers on platforms 2/3 and 4/5 but aren't visible on platform 1 (Up C2C)

 

[MikeWh]

The photos clearly show Oyster readers on platforms 2/3 and 4/5 but aren't visible on platform 1 (Up C2C)

Correct. My understanding is that the readers are positioned for transfer between LU and C2C towards Southend. You'll be ok going to Benfleet but you may need to take a later train on the way back. Don't forget that Upminster to Stratford can be done in various ways, including via Romford.

 

[Hadders]

How about:

Cambridge-London Terminals Super Off Peak Day Return £11.15
London Terminals-Benfleet Super Off Peak Day Return £8.05
Total £19.20

You could take the Cambridge Cruiser to King's Cross, this ticket is also valid on the Underground between Kings Cross St Pancras and Moorgate. It's a short walk to Liverpool Street or Fenchurch Street for a train to Benfleet.

Prices quoted are with Railcard discount.