I always buy our train tickets on the LNER app. We are going from Heathrow to Rye, and it is 110 pounds (2 people using 2 together discount) to get anytime tickets, but 81 pounds if we get, I think, tickets to Stratford, then to Rye getting the Super off peak day single tickets.
Since we don’t know when our plane will arrive or how long it will take us to get to the train, would it make sense to get the off peak tickets verses the anytime tickets to save money?
I don’t fully understand these ticket types.
Posted by
366 posts
the tickets are valid on the date stated on them including across midnight if you set off late.
Anytime are valid at any time of that day. Off Peak are valid outside the commuter peak, which is a variable concept depending on route. Super off peak is supposed to be a second level when it's very quiet. Except in this case it doesn't because they don't have a normal off peak fare!! I have views on the "retail managers" who do this sort of thing but I'd get banned if I posted them....
Anyway, the peak restriction on Stratford International to Rye is "not before 10:00 Monday-Friday" - and since it's unlikely that you will get to Stratford before 10:00 the Super Off Peak is all you need. But you don't even have to buy it in advance, you can buy on the day from a machine. If you arrive at a weekend there is no peak to worry about.
The routing is interesting because they presumably send you via Elizabeth Line from Heathrow to Stratford, which sounds OK except you'll notice there is a difference in station names! This route involves changing stations in Stratford and walking about 10 minutes around a shopping mall, so if you have a lot of luggage may not be suitable.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11988 posts
The Super off Peak is cheaper from Victoria.
An Off Peak is valid anytime weekends, and before 0430/after 0929 on weekdays (no evening restrictions). Super Off Peak is valid after 10am on that route- no evening restrictions.
It seems to me that the most cost effective way to ticket this is to use the tube or the Elizabeth Line on tickets (not contactless, railcard reduction after 0930 weekdays)- £10.85 each Day Off Peak Travelcard with railcard discount (10p cheaper than an Elizabeth Line single) to Victoria.
Then Super Off Peak Single Victoria to Rye £25.30 each with railcard- Total of £36.15 each.
If it was me I would buy an Anytime Day Single from 'Boundary Zone 6' to Rye for £20.70 with Railcard to use in conjunction with the travelcard (rather than the Super Off Peak Single from Victoria). The train does not have to stop at the Boundary Station for that to work.
I know the fare rules, so would stand my ground with an inspector who questioned it. However I am a bit worried about exposing you to a poorly trained or plain awkward TTI as this is quite an unusual way to ticket in these days of contactless payment.
So use the safer method.
PS- If you route via Stratford you are entitled as part of your fare to use the DLR from Stratford (Elizabeth Line) to Stratford International rather than walking.