Maidenhead Commuting

[autotank]

Hello,

I'm thinking of moving to Maidenhead and am doing some research on season ticket options. I work shifts just near to Oxford Circus so I think that a saving can be made on the Maidenhead - Z1-6 season ticket which is currently £3496.

Here is my plan - I want to check it's allowed!

I would buy a Z1-4 travelcard for £1744 which would be valid as far as Southall from Paddington on the GWML. If I buy this from Chiltern I believe this qualifies me for free weekend travel with them and a Gold Card?

Would I be correct in saying that in order to travel to London on a weekday during the Peak I would need to buy:
Anytime Day Single Maidenhead - Southall £7.40
Off Peak Day Single with a Gold Card Maidenhead - Southall £4.55 (although this wouldn't be valid on some fast Paddington - Maidenhead service in the evening?)

If I wanted to travel Off-Peak I would just need to purchase:
Off Peak Day Return Maidenehead - Southall with a Gold Card £4.60

At weekends my plan would be to drive to Beaconsfield and use the free Chiltern Railway travel. Also if I'm on a really early or late shift (about once a week) then work pay for a cab either too or from work thus reducing the cost still further.

I know that Oxford Circus isn't that far from Paddington and I could walk, but I like the flexibility a travelcard gives me as I often travel arounf London to see friends ect after work.

Thanks in advance for your tips/advice!

 

[LexyBoy]

That all seems perfectly valid - I've not looked into the costs but it sounds reasonable to me, and will of course depend on your shifts and how much extra travel in London you'll be doing.

As you're combining a season with a non-season you may travel on non-stop trains between Maidenhead and London, but as you note the Off Peak Day tickets wouldn't be valid on the barred evening peak trains (list here). Buying daily tickets may become a bit of a drag, especially as you'll not be able to buy a Southall-Maidenhead ticket from the TVMs.

There's another ticket which may be of interest - I'm sending you a PM.

Edit: restrictions on the evening trains from Paddington only apply to Off Peak Day Returns, a single from Southall to Maidenhead is valid any time after 0930. But I see you've already got more detailed replies on another forum