Ticket advice for an anxious commuter

Kingmob31

Start a new job next week, after a long period of unemployment, that requires 2 days in the office. I've been remote for so long, commuting feels like something from a bygone era so would be great to get some advice to relieve my anxiety.

I've downloaded the TrainSplit and ScotRail apps as I understand Trainline charges a higher fee for split ticketing.

Currently looking at travelling to London Waterloo as my office is just over the bridge, though also considering train and tube via Paddington.

My questions are:

1. Trainline charges a booking fee if you buy tickets in advance. I don't believe ScotRail or TrainSplit does. Can anyone confirm? Ideally I'd like to book the day before to avoid a rush in the morning.
2. Is it cheaper to buy 2 single tickets or a return these days?
3. If I'm buying return, I'm not locked into the time of the train I select for the return journey, right?
4. Is the Elizabethline as bad as they say for longer journeys?
5. Any other advice? Routes to avoid, any good cashback options etc?

la531983

Maybe helpful if you tell us where you are starting….

flaneurs_lobster

Maybe say where you are travelling from and be a little more specific about your office location?

NanookOfTheNorth

What station are you travelling from as mentioning ScotRail suggests you're travelling from Scotland to London, although thats probably not the case?

Kingmob31

Sorry, I'm travelling from Reading to just across the river from Waterloo station (nearest tube stop would be Charing Cross). I believe you can use ScotRail to buy tickets for travel in England? Might be wrong though.

martindow

Travelling to Waterloo from Reading is very slow (about 80 minutes) as opposed to fast trains to Paddington (about 25 minutes) which are also much more frequent. You could walk across the bridge from Waterloo to Charing Cross in a few minutes. From Paddington you can use the Bakerloo using contactless.

Your only way of travelling cheaply is by going off peak - after 09.30 from Reading and there are afternoon restrictions too unless you take slow Elizabeth line trains back. Tickets are not tied to specific trains apart from observing peak/ off-peak times and there are no cheap advanced tickets for this route.

How flexible can your hours be at the office?

NanookOfTheNorth

I believe all train company apps will allow you to buy tickets for any UK journey even if not using their own services.

Some links to start with …

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-train-tickets/

And various train company apps that offer various perks, some if you're not travelling with them (this is from a quick google search "app for uk trains with benefits"

The best apps for UK train tickets with benefits include LNER (2% rewards), Avanti West Coast (loyalty points for free travel), and Trainline (convenience, price prediction), often with no booking fees. For maximum savings, use split-ticket apps like TrainPal or Railboard, or book through Operator apps directly. Top Apps with Rewards & Benefits:

• LNER App: Offers "LNER Perks," giving you 2% credit on all journeys (even if not travelling with them) and a £5 bonus upon signing up.
• Avanti West Coast App: Features "Club Avanti," allowing you to earn points on purchases that can be used for free tickets.
• Uber App: Often offers 10% back in Uber credits for future travel, allowing you to combine it with other cashback services.
• Trainline App: Ideal for convenience, splitting tickets, and price alerts, although they may charge booking fees.
• TrainPal/Trainsplit/Railboard: Specialise in finding cheaper split-ticket options, usually without booking fees

And Virgin points to be used on future journies.

https://virgintrainsticketing.com/cheap-train-tickets/cut-the-cost-of-train-travel-with-virgin-points

Somebody local to the area in London will be best to comment on the specifics of London stations and travelling in central London

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81962254#Comment_81962254

Your choices are Reading - Waterloo, which is cheaper than Reading - Paddington to start with, and you won't need to add on tube fares or the time to get across London - you can walk fairly easily too.

Or you can do Reading - Paddington either on the fast train, then hopping in the bakerloo to Charing Cross (1970s trains) or (slower)Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road or Bond Street (depending on exactly where you're going) which will be a 15 - 20min walk at that end. I doubt this will be faster by the time you've got across London.

I'm from that part of the world and used to commute on the Reading - Waterloo line daily to Westminster before moving up to the big smoke. Personally I got used to the long leg into Waterloo reading a book etc. you'll probably find with the time that you want to travel, split tickets / advance tickets/Railcards won't work as it will be the peak period.

Kingmob31

Much appreciated Emmia. I appreciate no day is ever the same, but I've experienced the crush at Paddington, and when you factor in getting through the barriers, with the tube on top, the slightly longer train to Waterloo feels a lot more pleasant. In fact I often find the faster route is more draining because of the shuttling between train/tube etc.

You make a good point about the walk from Tottenham Court road with the Elizabethline. Hopping on that from Paddington does seem easier than dropping into the Circle Line or (God forbid) the Bakerloo, but the walk is longer than going over the bridge from Waterloo - and I imagine a lot less pleasant.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81962336#Comment_81962336

And if you do Reading - Waterloo as you'll get on at the start point, you're guaranteed a seat on the train.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81962336#Comment_81962336

I actually use the Bakerloo daily, and although the trains are older and more rickety it's a substantially better service than the (misnamed) Circle and District lines. It's definitely not a "god forbid" for me - I'm a fan

The circle line is not very frequent, and I seem to spend ages changing between parts of the district line when I use that. The Elizabeth line from Paddington is now often a busy train, standing only from Paddington in the morning peak.