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New job Reading - London zone 1 train or car?

Options
jont999
jont999 Posts: 31 Forumite
I'm trying to find the cheaper option, whether that's using the train or the car. I'm looking to move down there in a couple of months so yearly tickets are out. My car has a low Co2 output of under 121 and can do over 55mpg and is exempt from the congestion charge and I'll be going from central Reading to Earls Court area.

So what do you guys think is the best option?

Comments

  • tinkerbell84
    tinkerbell84 Posts: 5,323 Forumite
    Where would you park? Public parking could cost more than the cost of a monthly train ticket plus zone 1 travelcard.

    And don't forget that driving into London is a nightmare in the mornings (as is getting out of there at night).

    Could take you 2 hours easily each way in the car - train would be much much quicker.
  • jont999
    jont999 Posts: 31 Forumite
    That's pretty much what I was expecting. Any idea how much a monthly ticket would cost?
  • tinkerbell84
    tinkerbell84 Posts: 5,323 Forumite
    jont999 wrote: »
    That's pretty much what I was expecting. Any idea how much a monthly ticket would cost?

    google is your friend ;)
  • martindow
    martindow Posts: 10,566 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There is a new coach service from Swindon to London aimed at commuters starting sometime this month which will presumably undercut the train fares.

    This will stop at Savacentre, Calcot and Winnersh Triangle and (very sensibly avoid battling into Reading town centre). Free wi-fi on board and I'm sure I read in the local paper that they will text to advise arrival times or delays. Several services up in the morning and back in the evening.

    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/buszone/message/1506

    http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/destinations/newcommuterservice.cfm
  • jont999
    jont999 Posts: 31 Forumite
    wow, sounds fab!
  • shown73
    shown73 Posts: 1,268 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Sorry to be a Jonah, but the bus will presumably suffer the same M4 nightmare as all the cars, won't it? Or is there a bus lane from Thiefrow?
  • tinkerbell84
    tinkerbell84 Posts: 5,323 Forumite
    Yep. Except between junction 3 and junction 2 :rolleyes:
  • Altarf
    Altarf Posts: 2,916 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    jont999 wrote: »
    Any idea how much a monthly ticket would cost?
    £319.50 train only, £369.10 with a zone 1-6 Travelcard.

    Annual tickets are cheaper at £3328 and £3844.
  • Riq
    Riq Posts: 10,430 Forumite
    Altarf wrote: »
    £319.50 train only, £369.10 with a zone 1-6 Travelcard.

    Annual tickets are cheaper at £3328 and £3844.
    Sorry, I just spat out my drink!

    HOW MUCH?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    "I'm not from around here, I have my own customs"
    For confirmation: No, I'm not a 40 year old woman, I'm a 26 year old bloke!
  • dzug
    dzug Posts: 2,260 Forumite
    Why do you say yearly tickets are out - other than expense? You can AFAIK start them on any day - it doesn't have to be 1 January.
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