Yeovil - Oxford Split Points

[adamcoppard]

Hi all,

I have the requirement to make the journey from Yeovil - Oxford (realistically, I could also leave from Castle Cary, but would prefer a Yeovil station) up to a maximum of five times at short notice over the summer.

All I can find are the £37.90 anytime return fares available, and was wandering if anybody knew of anywhere I could split the journey to bring this down a little? I may invest in a Y-P railcard (annoyingly, am £2 short in Tesco vouchers) - if I can recoup the £28 investment over these journeys (I'm not planning any other particularly long journeys this year).

Jouryney times aren't really important to me - I just need to be in Oxford for around 10:00 and arrive home (doesn't have to be the station I set off from) anytime really (will be finished in Oxford anytime, so want to keep options open).

Many thanks if anybody could suggest anything, or just telling me this is the best I'm going to get!

 

[bnm]

Yeovil Junction - Basingstoke Anytime Day Return £24.50
Basingstoke - Oxford Off Peak Day Return (valid after 0900 Mon-Fri) £10.60

Total £35.10

0722 Yeovil Junction - Basingstoke 0858
0907 Basingstoke - Reading 0930
0941 Reading - Oxford 1004

I've had a look at alternatives from Yeovil Pen Mill/Castle Cary but there's nothing cheaper as far as I can see that will get you to Oxford around 1000.

If you have time before the first trip you can buy a 16-25 Railcard online and can save 10% on the price, so £25.20. Provided you have a passport or driving licence as proof of age.

If you make trips at the price I've quoted above with the railcard they will cost £23.15 in July and August, months where no minimum fare applies to 16-25 Railcard use. Because of the minimum fare rule for 16-25 Railcards (£12 before 1000) in all other months, Monday - Friday, then if you are to make any trips from September onward you won't make a saving splitting at Basingstoke. You may as well buy the Anytime Day Return from Yeovil Junction to Oxford at £25.00. Same applies if you want to be in Oxford before 1000.

Five trips with a railcard could save you around £50. So a railcard at £28 (or £25.20 online) is worth the expense. You'll be around £20-£25 better off!"