London Travelcard question

[zypher]

Next Friday, I'm going to visit friend in Caterham (London, zone 6). On Saturday and Sunday we will be visiting the city (zones 1-2) and I'm going back to Manchester on Monday morning.

I'm going to buy return ticket to Caterham, and two Off Peak 1-Day All Zones Travelcards for Saturday and Sunday (£8.50).

Does it make sense?
I assume I can spend some time on Friday in London, strolling between London Euston and Victoria.

All the best,
Steve

 

[yorkie]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, that makes sense, and is probably the best ticket combination to get.

Your Manchester to Caterham ticket does include a cross-London transfer on London Underground if you decide not to walk.

Or, if you prefer to avoid deep-level tubes there is an option of walking to St Pancras (10 minutes) and take Thameslink from there (change at East Croydon) or to take the Circle line the long way round.

On all days except Sundays there are 4 trains per hour (tph) to/from Caterham, two between London Bridge and Caterham and two between Victoria and Caterham. These trains are stopping services. It is generally quicker to change at East Croydon.

On Sundays the London Bridge <> Caterham trains do not run.

 

[zypher]

Thank you for reply. One more thing.

I'm going to buy ticket valid on off-peak services in London (that's what redspottedhanky.com suggest).
Does it mean I can start my return journey at 5:52 (before 6:30) and take the tube around 7:00 to catch the 7:35 train to Manchester. Or should I purchase other ticket if I want to travel early?

Regards,
Steve

 

[John @ home]

I'm going to buy ticket valid on off-peak services in London (that's what redspottedhanky.com suggest).
Does it mean I can start my return journey at 5:52 (before 6:30) and take the tube around 7:00 to catch the 7:35 train to Manchester. Or should I purchase other ticket if I want to travel early?

If you're buying a £77.50 Off-Peak Return Manchester Stns - Caterham route + Any Permitted, then it has Restriction 2C, of which the relevant part is:

These restrictions apply Monday to Friday. By any train on other days.

Outward Travel
You may travel on any train that is scheduled to arrive London Euston before 07:20 or at or after 11:30.

Return Travel
You may travel on any train that is scheduled to depart London Euston before 04:30 and between 09:26 & 15:00 (inclusive) and at or after 18:45.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/pdfs/SVR_2C.pdf

There are no time restrictions between Euston and Caterham in either direction. This ticket allows you to break and resume your journey at any railway (not Underground) station, so you are free to travel early from Caterham to London on the return leg and you don't need to buy another ticket.

 

[yorkie]

Thank you for reply. One more thing.

I'm going to buy ticket valid on off-peak services in London (that's what redspottedhanky.com suggest).
Does it mean I can start my return journey at 5:52 (before 6:30) and take the tube around 7:00 to catch the 7:35 train to Manchester. Or should I purchase other ticket if I want to travel early?

Regards,
Steve

It would be very, very expensive to depart Euston at 0735 (about an extra £150 for a straightforward Anytime single ticket). Can you wait until the 0940 departure from Euston? You can take any train from Caterham but you cannot leave Euston on an earlier train than that.

As for being "before 6:30", it is true that journeys that commence before that time using Oyster PAYG are counted as "off peak" for the entire journey. The same principle absolutely does not apply to the Manchester - Caterham ticket, the restriction of that is as detailed above by John @ Home, and is only restricted between London & Manchester. No restrictions apply between Caterham & London.