Didcot - St Neots, Cambridge - Reading - Oxford

[igloo]

Hi all,

If I want to do something like:

Thursday evening: Didcot Parkway - St Neots
Sunday morning: Cambridge - Reading
Sunday evening: Reading - Oxford

(and I don't know exactly what time trains I want to take), am I right in thinking that I am best off with an "Oxford - Cambridge off-peak return" and a "Hitchin - St Neots single"?


Thanks
Ian

 

[John @ home]

am I right in thinking that I am best off with an "Oxford - Cambridge off-peak return" £55.70 and a "Hitchin - St Neots single" £6.00 ?

Nearly. You save 40p with an Oxford - March super off-peak return £61.30.

 

[yorkie]

I'll send you a PM.

But, yes, your idea is a good one. It is valid to start 'short' at Didcot on this ticket. I note that the fare is the same price from Didcot as it is from Oxford.

 

[bb21]

Edit: Ignore. Forgot about the Reading bit.

 

[yorkie]

Nearly. You save 40p with an Oxford - March super off-peak return £61.30.

Which, incidentally is an interesting suggestion as March is outside the Network area, while Oxford is inside the Network area.

NETWORK AREA:
The London & South East
Network Area is shown in the
London Area Fares section
LONDON.

Super Off-Peak tickets issued
for journeys commencing WITHIN
the network area to
destinations outside the
Network Area with travel via
London are valid by any train
to London to connect with
trains from London.

So you can, in fact, leave Oxford "at any time", ie there are no peak restrictions on the Oxford to London leg. Restrictions do, however, apply out of King's Cross and this ticket is only valid "between 0906 and 1457 inclusive & at or after 1859" on Thursday evening, however if the OP wishes to travel in the evening peak, then the restriction from Liverpool St is "at or after 0930" - though as he's going to St Neots that's not terribly helpful in this case!

Of course, there are no time restrictions on Sundays for the return journey.

 

[igloo]

Nearly. You save 40p with an Oxford - March super off-peak return £61.30.

Ah, thanks, but I forgot to mention something: I have a Network railcard. It looks like March is just outside the SE area, so that would presumably actually be about £20 more.


Thanks
Ian

 

[LexyBoy]

My first reaction was - 'Christ, that's expensive! Get a Network Railcard!'

I note that the fare is the same price from Didcot as it is from Oxford.

This is the case for London and many (most?) NSE locations beyond London. I assume it's something to do with the old Network area boundaries and/or Didcot being on the mainline so attracting a premium?

 

[philjo]

What date are you planning to travel?
Just to warn you in case you don't already know that for 5 weeks until approx 14:00 every Sunday 26 June to 31 July there are engineering works in the Hitchin area. The first direct Cambridge to Kings cross train is at 13:20 (there is a 12:55 but that is a stopper overtaken by the 13:20) - you will need to use NXEA to go to Liverpool Street before then or use the FCC bus replacement between Royston/Baldock & Stevenage/Welwyn Garden city.

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/static/filemanager/Web_GN_Engineering_Summary_110609_RD.pdf

 

[sonic2009]

Thursday Evening

Didcot - Oxford by Train STD Day Single £5.40

Oxford - Cambridge £18.90 Month Return by Stagecoach Bus X5 from Gloucester Green Coach Station (Checked with Stagecoach and fine to get off at St Neots on outward journey)

your last bus is 19:35 from Oxford, don't know whether this affects your plan. have included the Timetable as a PDF

and here's the website : http://www.stagecoachx5.com/default.aspx

Then on the sunday morning from Cambridge, first bus leaves at 0810. Journey to Oxford takes 3hr 15mins..

Then all you would need is a Oxford - Reading Return STD Day Return £7.90

total cost : £32.20, up to you what you decide to take.

 

[sonic2009]

The X5 timetable

 

[igloo]

Just to warn you in case you don't already know that for 5 weeks until approx 14:00 every Sunday 26 June to 31 July there are engineering works in the Hitchin area.

Good point, thanks!

And thanks too to everyone else for all the other useful tips.


Thanks
Ian