TFL working out a fare

Thomask

Hi

Am trying to work out what a 'through fare' means exactly (as mentioned on the TFL website under ticket prices).

I need to get from Dollis Hill (tube stop, zone 3) to East Croydon (overground train, zone 5) tomorrow morning as cheaply as possible. I need to be there by 6.45am however can do it earlier if it will be cheaper to do so. Does a through fare mean a discount as I'll be taking the tube then overground train straight after one another? If so, is the through fare amount automatically calculated based on the Oyster readers seeing I've touched in, out then in and out again within a short space of time? Does anyone know what this fare will cost? I got confused reading the TFL site.

I have a Young Persons railcard too - will this provide an additional discount? If so, what timings do I need to ensure I adhere to?

Many thanks

IanD

If you are using Oyster, it will be classed a single journey based on the time you first touch in.

From 6:30am to 9:30am, and from 4pm to 7pm it will be £5.50. If you first touch in outside these times it will be £3.80.

You can reduce this to £2.90 and £2 respectively if you avoid zone 1 ie travel via West Hampstead (or Kilburn/Brondesbury), Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction (as suggested by the TFL fare finder) but you usually need to touch one of the pink validators at one of those stations or you'll still get charged the higher fare.

++++ Added below

You shouldn't need to touch any pink validators as whichever way you go (West Hampstead Jubilee/West Hampstead Overground or Kilburn Jubilee/Brondesbury Overground), you'll have to leave the Jubilee Line station to get to the London Overground so the discount should be calculated automatically.

IanD

I think you get a 1/3 discount on these fares if you have your 16-24 railcard loaded on your oyster card (should be able to do this at any ticket office).

dzug1

I think the YP discount on Oyster only applies off peak - or at least the YP minimum fare has that effect

IanD

I wasn't sure about the YP discount. The TFL website says

"If you buy a 16-25 Railcard, you can set the discount entitlement on a standard adult Oyster card, an 18+ Student Oyster photocard or a 16+ Oyster photocard to get 34 per cent discount on:

• Off-peak pay as you go single fares for journeys on Tube, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services in London
• The off-peak daily price cap for journeys on Tube, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services in London"

The only mention of time restrictions which match the daily minimum fare is if you are buying a travelcard.

Therefore, my understanding is that you'll get the discount before 6:30 as that seems to be an off-peak journey (although it does not count towards the off-peak price cap?!) but I wouldn't count on it!!

Thomask

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

I've had a look at the suggested routes yet can't seem to find a way of travelling off peak, avoiding zone 1 and arriving at East Croydon by 6.50am. Do you know any way?

Btw, is peak and off peak timing the same for Tubes and Overground trains? What time does off peak end in the morning?

Thanks

IanD

No - sorry. Had a look myself and it's not possible. I originally thought you were leaving at 6:45, should pay more attention!