Cheap train tickets to London for regular social events

Moveonup

My wife and I go to London about once a month on social occasions, we would like to go more often but the train fair including a travelcard for the underground (off peak) costs us £17.50 each travelling in from Maidenhead on FGW into Paddington.
Does anyone know if First Great Western do annual social off peak annual deals ?

Or, is there any other way to get cheaper tickets?

martindow

There are no cheaper fares for that route apart from sticking to off-peak day returns.



The only question I would ask is whether getting a travelcard is the best option. If you are not doing many trips within London you may be better getting a day return to Paddidngton and then pay as you go with an Oyster card which you can have linked to a railcard by tfl staff any any tube station to get discounted fares. Contactless cards cannot be linked.


If your card is a senior railcard you probably also have a free bus pass which gives you access to London bus travel 24 hours a day. If your journey is not too slow by bus this is the bargain option.

elverson

Firstly do you have a Network Railcard?

Alternatively, could you drive to Hatton Cross tube station (for example) and then use Oyster/contactless? This might work out cheaper overall.

martindow

When Crossrail starts (!) the fares may be different fares from mainline trains.


I'm not sure if this has been determined yet.

jbuchanangb

The £17.50 fare you mention is the full adult fare. If you and your wife travel together then you should get a Two Together Railcard, in which case the Off-peak travel card for both would be £23.10 (£11.55 each).