National Rail advice!

[JulesyBaby1983]

I am not a frequent user of trains so am struggling to work out the best possible ticket options for my journey - I will be travelling on National Rail from either Luton Airport or St Albans City (2 adults) to London Blackfriars at approx. 10am on a Friday, and returning from Blackfriars to St Albans at approx 7pm. I would like to know the best tickets to purchase for this, as well as a a price for tickets that we could use in London on the Underground if we wished to travel more. Also does it make a difference if I purchase in advance or on the day?
Thank you in advance!

 

[CROMPTON 33]

I don't know what the fare is from Luton to London. But you can by DaySave online to use on FCC Thameslink route trains, if travelling after 09.30 on weekdays or any time weekends, the cost is £10.00 per person for unlimited travel on FCC between Brighton and Bedford. Bargain price.

 

[323235]

if your only travelling the one day , then I would think that a St Albans- London Zones 1-6 Off Peak Day Travelcard at £14.50 or Luton Airport-Zones 1-6 at £20.50 would be good options.

Here's the restrictions relevant to both :-

Restriction : LS
Restriction applies: Monday to
Friday only. No travel
restrictions on other days.

OUTWARD TRAVEL
Valid on the train shown and
all later services:
Bedford 0910
Flitwick 0920
Harlington 0924
Leagrave 0929
Luton 0914
Luton Airport Parkway 0916
Harpenden 0922
St Albans 0929
Radlett 0934
Elstree & Borehamwood 0938
Mill Hill Broadway 0943
Hendon 0931
Cricklewood 0935
West Hampstead Thameslink 0939
Kentish Town 0943
St Pancras International 0930
Farringdon 0935
City Thameslink 0932
London Blackfriars 0934
London Bridge 0942

RETURN TRAVEL
NOT valid on any services
which are scheduled to depart
London Kings Cross, London St
Pancras Intl, Moorgate or pass
through London St Pancras Intl
between 16.30 and 1901 (inc),
regardless of where you join
or leave the service.

 

[b0b]

There's also the Cheap Day Return "London Thameslink" ticket since its to Blackfriars:

from St Albans, $10, or $14.50 from Luton airport
valid southbound after 0916 from Luton Airport Parkway, or 0929 from St Albans:

return restriction (NFM05)

RETURN TRAVEL
NOT valid on any services which are scheduled to depart London Kings Cross, London St Pancras Intl, Moorgate or pass through London St Pancras Intl between 16.30 and 1901 (inc), regardless of where you join or leave the service.

so if you get on the train at Blackfriars at 7pm you should be ok
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I don't know what the fare is from luton to london. but you can by a day railcard on the net to use on fcc trains. after 9.30 on week day's any time weekend's. cost is £10.00 per person. unlimted travell. brighton to luton bargain price.

"Daysave" info here:

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?iCmsPageId=104
£14 per person, but you can't buy at stations or on trains, so plan ahead.

 

[JulesyBaby1983]

So it seems my best option is the Cheap Day Return "London Thameslink" ticket at £10 each, travelling from St Albans to Blackfriars after 9:29am and returning from Blackfriars after 7pm. How would I purchase this ticket please?

 

[323235]

From a Ticket Office,Ticket Vending Machine or Online at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk

 

[JulesyBaby1983]

I don't seem to be able to find an option to purchase that ticket on that website, I'm obviousky not very good at this! I can only find options to buy considerably more expensive tickets.

 

[323235]

It's definelty there.
Here's a Screenshot
http://yfrog.com/2oeastcoastp

Information inputted as per your requirements.
Doesn't matter whether you put Blackfriars or Thameslink.
You still get the same result.

 

[JulesyBaby1983]

Do you have to specify what time train you will be departing/returning on, or can it be any train departing any time after 9:30?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh I have just done it, excellent. Thanks for your help! Just to confirm this allows me to travel from St Albans after 9:30am into London and on any trains/tubes around London, then depart after 7:01pm...?

 

[clagmonster]

The cheap day return from
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The cheap day return from St Albans City to London Thameslink allows travel on any train from St Albans to Blackfriars (or as far as London Bridge), departing at or after 09:29 and returning other than those between 16:30 and 19:01 at St Pancras. It does not include any further travel within London.
To travel to Blacfriars, then unlimited travel on buses, trams, BR trains, LUL and the DLR within London, and return rail travel, subject to the same restriction as the cheap day return, you need an off-peak day travelcard, priced at £14.50.

 

[JulesyBaby1983]

Ok, thanks so much to you all! Much appreciated.

 

[323235]

And no you don't need to specify a time, It will let you book without doing so.

According to the National Rail site, First Capital Connect don't offer seat reservations anyway, so no reason to specify a time.

 

[b0b]

Just to confirm this allows me to travel from St Albans after 9:30am into London and on any trains/tubes around London, then depart after 7:01pm...?

No, the ticket only allows travel on direct Thameslink route services to London Blackfriars. If you want the trains/tube you need the one day travelcard.