London Travelcard

[doubletrackemble]

I want to travel from Swindon to London Zone 8 on a Saturday (returning same day). Is it cheapest to ask for a through tkt to Zone 8 when I buy my rail ticket? I assume I will get a Zone 1-8 Travelcard combined with the rail tkt?
Thanks.

 

[yorkie]

I don't think that's possible, unfortunately. I believe the only tickets that include validity for zones 7-9 are tickets issued with one of the qualifying stations as the origin (e.g. Bushey to All Zones). It is therefore probably cheaper to split the ticket in London. It may also be cheaper to split further at Didcot Parkway (this is often the case from Swindon) but the train needs to call at Didcot for this to be valid (unless you happen to hold a season ticket for part of the journey?)

 

[doubletrackemble]

Thanks, so do I need to buy a Zone 1-8 Travelcard at Paddington.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

I think you can only buy a travelcard that has only zones 1-9 in which costs a little extra about £5.20 but you could ask and see if a zone 1-8 is possible (not likely).

 

[philjo]

you may find it easier & possibly a bit cheaper to get an Oyster PAYG card.
you can get one at Paddington Underground office, or get one by post before you travel.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/your-guide-to-fares-and-tickets-Zones-7-9-plus-watford-junction.pdf

I generally now buy a ticket to London terminals & use Oyster for tube/bus as the journey I make is usually much cheaper using oyster than with te travelcard. main exception is if needing to use National rail services e.g. to Hampton court etc when I would get a travelcard.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is it possible to buy a Swindon to Zones 1-6 Travelcard, and then a two zone extension? (And does that work out any cheaper?)

 

[yorkie]

I'm told you can't get an excess/extension for Zone 6 to Zone 7/8/9.

I don't think you can get Zones 7 & 8 without Zone 9.

You can get a Z9 issued at Paddington but they must put the origin as a station in the relevant zones.