Cheapest FGW Annual Season --> All Line Annual Season

[whole diary]

[bigdaz]

Here is a bit of a quest for people who haven't got a life... or who have nothing better to do... or who are rail geeks who just can't resist :p 


Three simple questions:

1)  What is the cheapest Annual Season between two FGW^▸ (First Great Western) stns?

2)  What is the cheapest Annual Season between a FGW stn and one outside FGW area?

3)  What is the cheapest Annual Season between any two stns on the rail network?


If the answer to 3 is worth it to gain a GOLD CARD... I might be tempted lol!!

[Brucey]

Here's my punt:

1. Devonport to Dockyard: ^96.00 annual

2. This will take some working out...

3. I believe Devonport to Dockyard is the cheapest.  The cheapest gold card is probably Sandown to Lake ^188.00.

[grahame]

2. South Greenford (FGW^▸ (First Great Western) managed) to Greenford (LU managed) - 472.00  [Unless you know better]

Or do you mean from an FGW managed station to a station they don't run trains to?

[grahame]

And in my research (yes, I must get back to my proper tasks!) I found one journey where an annual season ticket costs over twice as much as buying a single ticket on every single train that's available for the journey throughout the year. Can that be right, or is it another glitch in the system? Can anyone find the journey - which is made entirely on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains

[inspector_blakey]

3. I believe Devonport to Dockyard is the cheapest.  The cheapest gold card is probably Sandown to Lake ^188.00.

Ryde Esplanade to Ryde St John's Road: annual season (which should qualify as a gold card) GBP 148.00. This is one that Barry Doe has highlighted in the past, and I believe is a relatively common dodge (albeit a legitimate one!) used by people who would like a gold card but don't hold an annual season.

[Brucey]

3. I believe Devonport to Dockyard is the cheapest.  The cheapest gold card is probably Sandown to Lake ^188.00.

Ryde Esplanade to Ryde St John's Road: annual season (which should qualify as a gold card) GBP 148.00.

That is odd as both have equal single fares, but different return/season fares.

[inspector_blakey]

It's weird. Also surprising that the annual season Ryde Pier Head to Ryde Esplanade is GBP 232.00.

[JayMac]

2. From a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) served station to a non FGW served station I've found Severn Tunnel Junction - Caldicot. Annual Season ^212. Could be beaten I suspect.

As for your query grahame. If you were to catch every train in one year between Pilning and Patchway buying single tickets (would need to start from Pilning to return the same day - in fact the same week!) that would be 104 x Anytime Day Singles @^2.20, a total of ^228.80. The Annual Season is ^780, nearly 3^ times more!

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Exeter st David's to Exeter central part time season haha

[chineseJohn]

If you're using the Gold Card purely for discount purposes - what difference is it over a Network Railcard?

3. I believe Devonport to Dockyard is the cheapest.  The cheapest gold card is probably Sandown to Lake ^188.00.

Ryde Esplanade to Ryde St John's Road: annual season (which should qualify as a gold card) GBP 148.00. This is one that Barry Doe has highlighted in the past, and I believe is a relatively common dodge (albeit a legitimate one!) used by people who would like a gold card but don't hold an annual season.

[inspector_blakey]

There are a few benefits that an annual Gold Card gets you over the benefits of a Network Railcard...principally the ability to purchase cheap off-peak first class upgrades.

A Network Rail card allows you to take up to three adults with you (for a total party size of 4 adults) at a 34% discount and up to four children at a 60% discount on the child fare (subject to weekday minimum fares of GBP 13.00 and GBP 1.00 respectively). The discount ticket holder must travel with the railcard holder throughout their journey.

An annual gold card is similar but with some extra benefits. Again you can travel with up to three extra adults at a 34% discount, but the fare for accompanying children is a flat GBP 2.00. The gold card holder (GCH) is entitled to purchase one Network Railcard for another adult for GBP 1.00 during the period of validity of their gold card.  GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line) benefits are available after 1000 weekdays and don't appear to be subject to a minimum fare (disclaimer: I may have read this wrong). The GCH can also purchase a first class upgrade on standard class ticket that have the Gold Card discount for GBP 5.00 (adults) or GBP 2.50 (child) off-peak. This first class upgrade is subject to certain TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)-specific exclusions. Full details are here: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/season_tickets/goldcard.html.

[chineseJohn]

.. GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line) benefits are available after 1000 weekdays and don't appear to be subject to a minimum fare (disclaimer: I may have read this wrong).

I just checked on National rail website and you're right there is no minimum fare.

[thetrout]

Guilty of option 3 :-) thanks to a suggestion by a member of this forum as it happens :-)

cheapest FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Annual Season I wondering Appleford - Culham or Penzance - St Erth :-)