Train ticket help for a complete novice!

RTNI

Hi all,

I'm going to be working for 1 month over in Stevenage and will be put up in Knebworth nearby. I'm coming from Northern Ireland and never really get the train at all as I live close to all the things I need and our rail network is not as extensive as yours.

Can someone enlighten me to how train tickets work? Is is better for me to get a one month rail ticket (if such a thing exists?) Does this allow me to travel 2 time a day or is it unlimited usage between the start and end dates on the ticket?

Would also need to know where I would get the ticket and if I can get it on the 1st morning or if I have to get it posted to me etc....

Sorry for all the really silly questions - never commuted on trains and the very rare time I do I always get scared I'm on the wrong train!

Thanks in advance.

xlouise17x

Exactly what stations will you be travelling between and how often roughly. This website will give you all your answers:

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/seasonticket/calculator

You need to work out if you will be travelling in peak or off peak hours, if you may be travelling in both you will need a peak ticket but off peak will be cheaper if you will only be travelling off peak.

If you are travelling everyday then you will need a monthly season ticket. If you are only travelling once every so often then it will be best to get your ticket in advance online as it is cheaper that way you can get it posted or pick it up at the station.

If you need anymore help then let me know the 2 stations you will be travelling between and if it will be daily/occasionally and if it is in off peak or peak hours and I will let you know the cheapest way of doing it.

Regards

Louise

wealdroam

Knebworth to Stevenage is a four minute train journey.

Knebworth to Stevenage Anytime Day Return is £3.10.
An Off Peak Day Return will save you a whole ten pence at £3.00.
With these tickets, you can only travel once each way.

A seven day season ticket costs £14.50.
A one month season ticket costs £55.70.
With a season ticket, you can make the journey as many times as you like.

Buy any of these tickets at the station if you like. There is no saving in this instance for online booking.

mjm3346

The journey between the stations is less than 3 miles by road (a nice brisk and free 30 to 40 min walk) and the Golf centre end of Stevenage is actually nearer to Knebworth than it is to Stevenage station so you may not want the train at all, if you have the postcodes of where you will be working/staying you can check out the road route here

http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp

and public transport options here

http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk/se/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en&timeOffset=15

or here

http://www.intalink.org.uk/default.asp?contentID=605

xlouise17x

www.transportdirect.com is a good route planner to find the best possible route if you put in 2 postcodes.

RTNI

Thanks for the info.

Will be travelling Mon - Friday, not sure about times yet but will be around 0800 to Stevenage and then about 1630 to Knebworth on way home. Will check out the postcode routing - that's a good idea. All I know is the postcode of the company at the moment which is SG1 2UG. Short 10 min walk from the train station. Not sure where the accommodation is in Knebworth but should do soon.

The monthly ticket sounds like a good idea - especially that I can get any time of train as many times as I like. I see on the National Rail site when I search for season tickets it says;

"You will need a passport sized photograph for a Photocard when you first purchase a season ticket. You can buy a season ticket from any staffed station." Does this mean the ticket is like a card then? Looked at Knebworth and it seems to be staffed until lunchtime Mon - Sat so I assume I could get it there or Stevenage?

wealdroam

RTNI wrote: »

"You will need a passport sized photograph for a Photocard when you first purchase a season ticket. You can buy a season ticket from any staffed station." Does this mean the ticket is like a card then? Looked at Knebworth and it seems to be staffed until lunchtime Mon - Sat so I assume I could get it there or Stevenage?

Just take a passport sized photo when you buy your season ticket.
Your will get a numbered card with your photo on, and a season ticket referencing the photo card... to stop sharing of season tickets.
Yes... get your season ticket at either station.