New to London travel - advice needed please!

bobcratchit

I've recently moved to Gipsy Hill (zone 3) (Southern Railways) and travel into London Zone 1 4 or 5 days a week.
My normal journey is from Gipsy Hill to Victoria then use the underground.

Currently use a pay as you go Oyster Card and wondering if buying a Network Railcard would benefit me but can't for the life of me work out what the hell it entitles me to. Or if i can use it in conjuction with my oyster card or travelcard (if i was to purchase one)

I'm thinking of biting the bullet and getting an annual travelcard but at 1424.00 it's alot to pay out at once.

Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks in advance.

yorkie2

Network Railcars gives you 1/3 off fares in the applicable area but NOT before 10:00 Mondays - Fridays and NOT on Seasons.


Most National Railcard discounts can be loaded onto Oyster cards to give discounted off peak travel, but the Network Railcard is NOT among them.


Sorry that's not what you wanted to hear.

Kite2010

yorkie2 wrote: »

Network Railcars gives you 1/3 off fares in the applicable area but NOT before 10:00 Mondays - Fridays and NOT on Seasons.


Most National Railcard discounts can be loaded onto Oyster cards to give discounted off peak travel, but the Network Railcard is NOT among them.


Sorry that's not what you wanted to hear.

Also network railcards are subject to a min fare of £13 during the weekdays

bobcratchit

Thank you both for your replies. I have also since found out that there is a big difference in price between travelling from Gipsy Hill into town or from Crystal Palace!! As I live equidistant to both stations it looks like Crystal Palace will end up being preferred station of choice!

richardw

Will you be using the Overground from Crystal Palace?

p00hsticks

bobcratchit wrote: »

I'm thinking of biting the bullet and getting an annual travelcard but at 1424.00 it's alot to pay out at once.

Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks in advance.

I've not had to commute in a while now but bear in mind that fares probably go up in the New year (I'm a bit out of touch with the latest percentages) - by buying an annual card now you would fix in at todays prices for the whole year.

And if you do decide to buy one and you have a good credit card record - a) try to put the purchase on a cashback credit card and b) then look to transfer the balance to a 0% on purchases one.

totallybored

p00hsticks wrote: »

I've not had to commute in a while now but bear in mind that fares probably go up in the New year (I'm a bit out of touch with the latest percentages) - by buying an annual card now you would fix in at todays prices for the whole year.

And if you do decide to buy one and you have a good credit card record - a) try to put the purchase on a cashback credit card and b) then look to transfer the balance to a 0% on purchases one.

I used to buy my annual card to start the last day of December just before the price rise.

OP, what is your final destination station? Not sure why there is a price difference unless you're travelling only on the East London line from Crystal Palace.

katejo

totallybored wrote: »

I used to buy my annual card to start the last day of December just before the price rise.

OP, what is your final destination station? Not sure why there is a price difference unless you're travelling only on the East London line from Crystal Palace.

I also renew my annual card just before Dec 31st. If you do decide to buy an annual, you will also get the equivalent of a network card to get you a third off during off peak periods. I find it useful when I go out at the weekend and go beyond my zones. My workplace provides an interest free loan for annual season tickets.

laird

Optimum day is 1st January, that way your season ticket will expire on the 31st December and thus qualify for the lower pricing of this year. You should be able to purchase 2 weeks in advance so probably tomorrow or by the end of the week.

bobcratchit

My final destinations change somewhat but usually zone 1. I think the price difference is that Gipsy Hill is a National Rail station and CP is part of the underground. I have done a price check from both stations into town and they do differ. It is bizarre though!