Cheapest ways to commute to London

soxiez

Hi everyone,

Firstly I'm very sorry if this is a topic that comes up a lot - I'm new here and couldn't find anything existing on here that helped me though so I thought I would post. I wondered if anybody could help me work out the cheapest way to commute to London everyday? I'm not too familiar with London trains so it's been really confusing me trying to work out all the different options! My journey is as follows:

Hitchin to King's cross (overground)
King's cross to Aldgate East (tube, both zone 1), and back again, 5 days a week, Mon-Fri.

I am travelling around rush hour, however my work doesn't start until 10, so I can use the tube after the 9.30 cut off time.

My oyster card is linked up to my national railcard. I think it'll be cheaper to buy a season ticket to King' Cross then use my Oyster separately, rather than a Hitchin-zones 1-6 season ticket, but I wasn't sure. I'm fresh out of university and my salary is quite low, so I'm really trying to squeeze the most out of it that I can. Can anybody help me out? Thanks in advance!

BusDan

Hi,

I would consider taking National Rail from Hitchin to Moorgate (change at Finsbury Park) it's the same price anyway.

It's about a 15 minute walk from Moorgate to Aldgate East.

Hope this helps.

landsberger64

A ticket from Hitchin to "London Terminals" will cost significantly less (£25 per week) than with a Hitchin to Zones 1-6 Travelcard. And London Terminals includes Moorgate...Only get a travelcard if you travel a lot in London during the week or at the weekend.

Sometimes you need to change at Stevenage to go to Moorgate. What I do is take a fast train to Finsbury Park, and then change to the Moorgate branch there. That would cost the same as the slow train as well.

The only other way I can think for you to get to London, which is marginally cheaper than the train is to take the Green Line Coach from Stevenage, which has comfier seats and free Wifi but takes forever.

Armorica

As Dan says, a rail service into moorgate will be cheaper as you won't need any TfL/bus/tube travel. The walk isn't too bad.

The cheapest commute is invariably by coach though, but often not helpful if you are doing anything other than a 9-5 job. From a quick look the connections from Hitchin don't look great though. Locals might know better http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/south-east/797---stevenage-to-london/?direction=outbound (i.e. from stevenage and infrequent and not into the city)

soxiez

Oh thank you guys! I had no idea I could go to Moorgate instead of King's Cross, very helpful. Liverpool Street is even closer to my office, but I'm assuming that wouldn't count as a London Terminals ticket as I have to change at King's to get there anyway?

Also, just Google Mapped the walk from Moorgate - are you able to walk through Finsbury Circus? Maps doesn't seem to let you chose that as a route, but it looks like a park. If you can then I think that'd shave a lot of time off the predicted 25 min walk by Google! Sorry for all the questions, I just really don't know the area well at all! All your help is really appreciated

BusDan

Evening,

Unfortunately no, Liverpool Street would not be permitted with the ticket you are purchasing.

Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations are extremely near to each other. 5-6 mins walk.

Yes, you can walk along the green.

I would recommend you download an application called 'CityMapper' it will give you the walking route.

As you get to familiarise the route over the next few weeks, you can adapt the walk using your new knowledge of the area! :j

soxiez

That's okay, I didn't think I could be cheeky and get to Liverpool Street on that ticket! Although as it's a London Terminals ticket, does that mean I can go to Moorgate in the morning, and come home via King's Cross instead if I want to visit friends etc after work? Or do you have to go through the same station in the morning and evening? Citymapper is a complete blessing, I think I'll get an earlier than usual train tomorrow and test out the walk If this works out, you guys will have saved me around £1000 over the course of the year! Incredible

BusDan

Great little app Citymapper right?!

Just to confirm you can travel as you suggested, i.e Moorgate in the morning and King's Cross in the evening.

Sometimes the gates might not open when using the London Underground, just see a member of staff and they can let you in.

Hope all goes well for tomorrow. Let us know how you get on! :j

soxiez

Can't thank you enough Dan, really! Will do

yorkie2

Yes, a Hitchin - London Terminals ticket is valid:

On National Rail services Hitchin -Stevenage - Hertford / Welwyn - Alexandra Palace - Finsbury Park - Moorgate / King's Cross
and at all intermediate stations.

and also

On LU services King's Cross St Pancras - Moorgate (including Northern line tube trains and Met/Circle/H&C sub-surface trains)
but not at any intermediate station, except Old Street.

BusDan wrote: »

Sometimes the gates might not open when using the London Underground, just see a member of staff and they can let you in.

Agreed; they should. But a small number of LU staff are unfamiliar with the validity of Great Northern stations to London Terminals tickets on LU between King's Cross & Moorgate, and some of these may incorrectly refuse to allow you access.

If you encounter such a person, ask to speak to the station supervisor, and if you are not let through, complete this form (note the name(s) of anyone who denies you access so they can be re-trained) and provide details of any charges incurred so you can be fully refunded for such charges and any inconvenience.

soxiez

Thanks Yorkie, very helpful! Been major delays (surprise, surprise) in the mornings so have had to get the tube in the mornings so far. Been walking to Moorgate and getting the overground home as suggested in the evening though and it's been great. Will hopefully iron out my morning problems and manage to walk in soon too Really great idea guys, thanks!