Excess fare information please

[curly]

I just want to make sure that I understand it properly so that I'm getting the correct ticket.

I normally buy an off-peak return which I believe at the moment is £11.05 using my railcard.

If I was to travel leaving London on the train that leaves at 18.57, I believe I can pay an excess ticket upgrade on the train when the ticket personnel come round.

Would it cost me more to do this or would I just pay the upgrade for the return section of my ticket, which I believe would be a total of £8.25, so minus the £5.50ish I have already paid for that segment of my return, £2.75?
Please could you let me know if I understand the system correctly or if there's something else I need to do.

The train I would get leaves at 3 minutes before the peak time travel band will finish.

This is a new system as it used to be that the stations on this route where off peak in the afternoon and only peak in the morning.
(Kings Cross to Cambridge line)

On occasion my train was delayed. If it left at 2 minutes after 7 pm would it still be peak as it was on the schedule for before 7 but would be leaving after 7?

Thank you for your help.

 

[transportphoto]

You’re going to need to help us with the exact journey and the tickets you’re looking at.

 

[voyagerdude220]

On occasion my train was delayed. If it left at 2 minutes after 7 pm would it still be peak as it was on the schedule for before 7 but would be leaving after 7?

Thank you for your help.

Yes you'd still need an Anytime (peak) ticket, as the restrictions are based on what time your train is scheduled to depart, not it's actual departure time.

 

[curly]

You’re going to need to help us with the exact journey and the tickets you’re looking at.

Knebworth to King's Cross, leaving leaving around noon, returning between 6.30pm and 9pm.
I usually buy an off-peak peak return ticket using my disabled person's railcard.
I don't know when buying the ticket, if I would be coming home on a train leaving london during
the recent peak banding until 7pm, that has just been added or after 7, when it is off peak again.

 

[redreni]

This route appears to have single leg pricing, so you may find it simpler to buy singles in each direction.

The excess fare for returning on an off-peak at a time when an Anytime ticket is needed would be the difference in fare between the Off-peak return and the Anytime return. This is more expensive than buying an off-peak single and an Anytime single.

Apart from being poor value, the other problem with excessing onboard is you may have trouble getting past the barriers at Kings Cross. They may direct you to the ticket office to pay the excess there.

 

[Wallsendmag]

How could you pay the X/S onboard a GN service?

 

[curly]

This route appears to have single leg pricing, so you may find it simpler to buy singles in each direction.

The excess fare for returning on an off-peak at a time when an Anytime ticket is needed would be the difference in fare between the Off-peak return and the Anytime return. This is more expensive than buying an off-peak single and an Anytime single.

Apart from being poor value, the other problem with excessing onboard is you may have trouble getting past the barriers at Kings Cross. They may direct you to the ticket office to pay the excess there.

Thank you, so going forward if I buy two singles, I can then pay the excess on the return if I travel within the peak banding?
Can I do this on the train with ticket inspectors, or would I need to go to the ticket office?

(I would prefer not to have to go to the office as I have only seen it very busy)

Thank you so much

 

[yorkie]

Thank you, so going forward if I buy two singles....

Only buy the single coming back when your departure time is known. Much easier that way!

And no, the barriers would not let you through, and you'd be sent to the ticket office.

It will be much easier to buy a new single online (e.g. from our ticketing site) or a TVM, than faff with getting an excess fare from the ticket office.

 

[Hadders]

In your situation I'd use KeyGo. You can add your railcard to that and you'll be charged the appropriate fare for your journey. No need to faff around buying tickets before travel or getting excesses.

 

[Haywain]

In your situation I'd use KeyGo. You can add your railcard to that and you'll be charged the appropriate fare for your journey. No need to faff around buying tickets before travel or getting excesses.

I would second that. KeyGo will just charge the best option, whether it is an Off Peak Day Return or two singles, and apply the discount. Much easier.

 

[curly]

Thank you so muc for all the input and Keygo looks really interesting. I haven't heard of it before.

 

[Hadders]

More info on KeyGo here:

https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/tickets/pay-as-you-go/keygo