Merlin annual pass/cheap train fares

victory

Hi:D just seeing with everyone if the merlin annual pass is worth it? Thinking of buying 2 adults one 10 year old live in Kent so the London ones are more accesible like legoland and chessington and the dungeon but the others like alton towers and thorpe and warwick castle are a couple of hundred miles treck:eek:

How could we get into london to make it the cheapest way? I know the entrance fees would be pre paid but if you have then got to spend a fortune on rail fares what is the point?

Sharon87

Thorpe Park's not far, it's in Staines, don't forget the London Eye, Sealife centres and Madamme Toussards

I think it's worth it easily. Are you eligable for a family railcard, you get cheaper fares that way. You can get to Chessington on Oyster if you have to change in central london. You can do the eye, sealife centre, Madamme Toussards and the London Dungeons in one day, get a travel card and voila a good day out. And that's your annual pass paid for practically!

Alton Towers can be a once a year treat

Don't forget the other perks of annual pass - in the theme parks you get discounted food (not branded like Pizza hut/Burger King) 20% off merchandise and discount on hotels, so you can stay at Alton Towers Hotel and go there for 2 days, make a holiday of it. Then once the year is up you can renew if you wanted for about £100 or so - or £72 if you go to the 'pass holder days' like they did this year.

Stardust

Chessington is only 10 min walk from the station and in Zone 6 so can be accessed with a paper travelcard, I use to go loads as a teen.

With a standard pass you can't visit London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon or the London Aquarium during August.

wealdroam

victory wrote: »

How could we get into london to make it the cheapest way? I know the entrance fees would be pre paid but if you have then got to spend a fortune on rail fares what is the point?

South Eastern Trains currently have a 20% off sale.

Don't know where in Kent you are travelling from, but as an example a day return from Canterbury to Chessington (or any other station in zones 1-6) can be as cheap as £16.00.

This offer is only until 2 May and you must buy the tickets from their website.

victory

Thank you for your replies:D

mum26

If you go up to Alton Towers by train you can catch a bus from Uttoxeter station to and from the park (or a taxi might be cheaper if there is a few of you). You could maybe book some cheap nights at a travelodge / premier inn and make a trip of it to make the most of the train cost if that makes sense? I went to Alton Towers by train last monday to meet friends (normally go in the car with dp and kids) and my ticket from Bedford was £40 for an anytime return (return within a month, chose this so I wasn't stuck to certain train times, paranoid about missing a train!) but I only booked it a couple of days in advance. Uttoxeter station is only about 15 mins away from Alton Towers itself.

davross

Make sure you read the terms and conditions if you are going to buy a "standard" annual pass. Merlin have added loads of new exclusion dates this year and you now have to pay for parking which used to be free for annual pass holders. Presumably this is to encourage people to pay the extra for the Premium passes. We are lucky as we have just renewed ours using vouchers we bought last november so they have to honour the old t&c's.