Earlsfield - Guilford and back from Dorking

[EAD]

Hello all,

Am familiar with these routes given Earlsfield (EAD) is my local station, but wanted to sense check something with those who are on top of ticketing. Will be heading out one weekend day soon down to Guildford (GLD) and then walking the North Downs to Dorking (DKG) from where I will return to EAD. I have a network railcard.

So the exam question - the CDR cheap day return EAD - GLD is £8.10 with discount and is any permitted. That is valid on the direct suburban trains from EAD which either go via Cobham & Stoke d'Abernon or Epsom and Leatherhead (LHD) (lines rejoing at Effingham Junction). Given this validity and fact it allows a break of journey on either leg, presumably I can just buy a DKG to LHD single and then use the return leg of the Guildford ticket from Leatherhead?

The reason I ask is this coming weekend there are works in the area so no trains from Epsom to Leatherhead and Dorking/Effingham Junction. This will mean using a replacement bus up from Dorking and then entering Epsom station on that combination of tickets which will no doubt need a member of staff to allow me through on the gate line, so wanted to double check. For anyone not familiar with NSE area fares, day returns are usually only a bit above singles hence why I would be looking to use the Guildford return ticket.

Many thanks,

EAD

 

[JB_B]

I think you could just use an Earlsfield-Chilworth Off Peak Day Return Route:Any Permitted ( same price as the Earlsfield-Guildford ticket) for your whole journey.

 

[Hadders]

A railcard discounted Earlsfield to Gomshall Off Peak Day Return costing £6.60 will suffice. nationalrail.co.uk shows this being valid via Guildford and Dorking.

 

[JB_B]

A railcard discounted Earlsfield to Gomshall Off Peak Day Return costing £6.60 will suffice. nationalrail.co.uk shows this being valid via Guildford and Dorking.

Yes, that's a good spot. I'd discounted Gomshall because Guildford fails the fares check as a destination routeing point for Earlsfield-Gomshall - the only mapped route to Gomshall is via Leatherhead and Dorking. However, the shortest route rule covers travel via Guildford. ( A quirk of railway geography means that the shortest routes+3m are surprisingly extensive for this journey. )

 

[EAD]

Thank you both - not sure how I forgot to think about stations along the North Downs Line itself given you can get to them either way! Gomshall is a great shout for the reasons discussed above which means the £6.60 is cheaper and also allows via Guildford, Dorking and also round via Reigate and Clapham Junction so all possible options covered.

A perfect example of the forum doing its thing. Weather looking good for this weekend too.