Mkt Harboro-St Panc weekday?

[Diplodicus]

Is there a less expensive way of travelling to St P on a cheap(er) ticket that gets me there by about 11-ish weekdays?

 

[sonic2009]

Is it a Day Return you require? What time will you be returning? Happy to travel via a different route?

 

[island]

And are you prepared to be tied to specific trains? First or standard class?

 

[RJ]

Is there a less expensive way of travelling to St P on a cheap(er) ticket that gets me there by about 11-ish weekdays?

Generally, buying a ticket from Market Harborough to Bedford, then Bedford to London will save you money, though you'd need to travel on trains that call at Bedford. There is a train at 0946 from Market Harborough that arrives into St Pancras at 1056.

 

[bengolding]

There is also a One Day Off Peak Travelcard that is particularly useful in that return travel is valid in the PM peak. Split ticketing means you're restricted the often overcrowded semi-fast and not able to travel on the express HST.

 

[Diplodicus]

Thank you all for your input. Idealyy would like to use network card where valid. Only travel direct via Mid main line. does train have to call at Bedford?

 

[maniacmartin]

If you split tickets at Bedford, and neither ticket is a season ticket, then yes the train would have to call at Bedford

 

[Diplodicus]

Thanks

 

[NewbieCommuter]

I'm thinking of commuting from Market Harborough to London St Pancras. Does anyone happen to know how busy this train is in the mornings... say 7am or 8am weekdays?

Thanks

 

[bb21]

If you split at Bedford, you will need to take a train that stops at Bedford, and the train will be busy with Bedford commuters from there onwards.

Between around 7 and 8, the 0654, 0711 and 0733 will all be full from Luton/Luton Airport onwards, but I think the 0757 should be somewhat better. I have been on the 0654 several times, and Standard pax spill over into First vestibules. Boarding at Harborough however I would expect that you should be able to find a seat without too much difficulty.

 

[Diplodicus]

Thank you for your assistance.

This looks like a plan?

Purchase a network card, valid for one year, costing £30.

The 09:46 departure from Market Harborough (calling at Bedford) arrives at London St Pancras at 10:56. The off-peak day return fare is £18.20.

Advance purchase a cheap day return from Bedford to London using your network card costing £14.25.

Cost for first journey = £30 + £18.20 + £14.25 = £62.25
Cost for 2nd+ journies = £18.20 + 14.25 = £32.45.

Not sure of restrictions on time of return departure from St. Pancras but any delay is a small price to pay when compared to an Off-peak day return with travelcard costing £53.50.

 

[bb21]

Return restriction on the Bedford - London ticket is "not between 4.30pm and 7pm". See this.

The Market Harborough ticket has no afternoon restriction.

The first direct train you can use after the afternoon peak is therefore the 1932.