WWA -> BCE/WKM (via Underground)

[LondonStatto]

I'm trying to buy a through ticket from Woolwich Arsenal to Bracknell or Wokingham(*) but the only tickets that the Southeastern journey planner is coming up with are listed as London Not Underground (ie via VIC/CLJ). However, I'd much prefer to go via DLR/Underground to PAD and via RDG. Even if I start from Plumstead I still don't get a route other than London Not Underground.

I can of course pay Oyster to get to PAD and then get a ticket from London Terminals but this is significantly more expensive.

I have managed to get through tickets via Underground from WWA to other destinations in the past but can't seem to on this trip. Is there a genuine routeing reason why I can't do this or is the journey planner playing up?

(*) I'm staying at a hotel halfway between the two so either is acceptable.

Edit: This is for a journey on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day, so the expected route via Waterloo doesn't exist. Thanks to island and telstarbox for clearing up my confusion as to why the fastest route on the day doesn't have a fare.

 

[island]

Actually the expected route for people to take is via Waterloo East/Waterloo. There are no routes for that flow other than LONDON NOT UND. Going via Paddington is so circuitous that I'm not surprised it's not offered. If you want to start your journey on DLR you would be needing a ticket from 0792 (ZONE U1234*LONDN) to Bracknell route VIA STAINES. That may be difficult to get online but will be readily available at a booking office.

Now, as a counterpoint, my wife has had no issues using a LONDON NOT UND ticket from Reading Stations to Lee (London) via Paddington and using Oyster to get to Charing Cross. So if you wanted to go Woolwich Arsenal-Charing Cross-Paddington-Reading-Bracknell (paying for the Tube separately) on that ticket I doubt it would be questioned.

 

[telstarbox]

I'd do the single change at Waterloo for Bracknell. Easier than going via Paddington.

 

[LondonStatto]

I'd do the single change at Waterloo for Bracknell. Easier than going via Paddington.

Apologies, I left out of the header that this is for New Year's Eve, returning on New Year's Day. No trains at WAE, therefore.

 

[telstarbox]

I was going to suggest walk from Blackfriars to Waterloo but you have no trains that way either! Victoria and Clapham Junction migbt be the least worst NR only option.

 

[LondonStatto]

I was going to suggest walk from Blackfriars to Waterloo but you have no trains that way either! Victoria and Clapham Junction migbt be the least worst NR only option.

Thanks for the advice. I'll call into the ticket office at WWA to ask them about the U1234 ticket and then make a judgment which way to go.

 

[bb21]

U-zone fares tend to incur a hefty premium so it is almost always cheaper to use your Oyster card, unless travelling in the peaks and you have a Railcard under certain circumstances.

 

[island]

Thanks for the advice. I'll call into the ticket office at WWA to ask them about the U1234 ticket and then make a judgment which way to go.

I'm not sure what you feel you would need to "ask about" that we can't assist with – if you've any further questions just post and we'll try to answer them.

 

[LondonStatto]

I'm not sure what you feel you would need to "ask about" that we can't assist with – if you've any further questions just post and we'll try to answer them.

Specifically, what the price is (with a Network Railcard).

 

[greatkingrat]

The relevant prices with Network Card are:

SVR ZONE U1234*LONDN - BRACKNELL 21.90 Via Staines
SVR WOOLWICH ARSENAL - BRACKNELL 19.80 London Not Und
SVR LONDON TERMINALS - BRACKNELL 16.75 Via Staines

Oyster from Woolwich Arsenal to Waterloo would be £2.80 each way so buying the through ticket will be slightly cheaper.

 

[bb21]

www.brfares.com should have all the prices. Code for Zone U1234 is 0792.

The add-on fare is £3.90 each way, so a £7.80 premium for a return ticket on top of the London Terminals prices.

 

[LondonStatto]

www.brfares.com should have all the prices. Code for Zone U1234 is 0792.

The add-on fare is £3.90 each way, so a £7.80 premium for a return ticket on top of the London Terminals prices.

Thanks; that site is a goldmine.

So it gives £22.75 for the ANY PERMITTED to Wokingham, compared with £17.65 from London Terminals (+£5.10 - compared with the Oyster fare of £2.80 each way) - so a grand saving of £1 for the two of us!

As I understand it this ticket would enable us to go from Paddington to Wokingham or from Waterloo to either Wokingham or Bracknell - and the same in reverse.

I'm pleased to see that the FTPE link that gives the site commission allows purchase of U-zone fares too