Euston to Watford Junction with 60+

[Steve Cat]

I want to travel from Euston to Watford Junction on a weekday after 9 (or 9:30), preferably non-stop. Can I use my 60+ Oystercard for the entire journey?

If not, and I need to buy an extension, what is generally the cheapest extension ticket to look for if:
- I buy in person at Euston
- I buy from a machine at Euston
- I buy online from West Midland Trains or Trainline?

 

[causton]

On the West Midlands Trains (London Northwestern Railway) services you will need to buy a ticket from Boundary Zone 6 - Watford Junction which is about £5 or so and is generally only available from booking offices.

On the London Overground services the journey is very slow but free.

 

[Steve Cat]

Ok, but if i do buy online, do i have to buy a full ticket from Euston if i want to take the non-stop West Midlands train? Or can i buy a ticket from some station just inside the boundary? what is the last station on this route before it leaves the Zone 6 boundary?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Ok, but if i do buy online, do i have to buy a full ticket from Euston if i want to take the non-stop West Midlands train? Or can i buy a ticket from some station just inside the boundary? what is the last station on this route before it leaves the Zone 6 boundary?

You don't need to buy a ticket from Euston, provided your pass is valid at the time you travel. You only need a ticket from the last station you call at or pass through that's within your pass' validity. Assuming that's Zone 6, the last station would be Hatch End, so I'd tentatively say (can @causton confirm?) that you'd only need a ticket from Hatch End.

 

[Merseysider]

A ticket from BZ6 to Watford Junction would do the trick at £5.10; valid from 09:30.

The train would not need to call at any intermediate station for this combination to be valid.

 

[causton]

You don't need to buy a ticket from Euston, provided your pass is valid at the time you travel. You only need a ticket from the last station you call at or pass through that's within your pass' validity. Assuming that's Zone 6, the last station would be Hatch End, so I'd tentatively say (can @causton confirm?) that you'd only need a ticket from Hatch End.

Due to the TfL pricing policy a return from Hatch End would be very expensive compared to a BZ6 return so I would say not worth the bother and just getting the latter!

 

[philthetube]

Alternatively you can change at Harrow for a compromise of speed and price.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Due to the TfL pricing policy a return from Hatch End would be very expensive compared to a BZ6 return so I would say not worth the bother and just getting the latter!

Ah, I was trying to suggest a ticket that can be bought online...

 

[Steve Cat]

Alternatively you can change at Harrow for a compromise of speed and price.

Due to the TfL pricing policy a return from Hatch End would be very expensive compared to a BZ6 return so I would say not worth the bother and just getting the latter!

Is there any other station en route from which the ticket tends to be less? Also, does it have to be a station that the non-stop train passes? Or could it be any station inside the boundary?

 

[Steve Cat]

Ah, I was trying to suggest a ticket that can be bought online...

Thanks, yes, I wish there was a way to buy boundary zone tickets online or at a machine at my closest station (Camden Road Overground). Who knows before you get to your departure station how long the ticket office queue will be??

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Thanks, yes, I wish there was a way to buy boundary zone tickets online or at a machine at my closest station (Camden Road Overground). Who knows before you get to your departure station how long the ticket office queue will be??

I think London Overground ticket machines sell boundary zone tickets.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Is there any other station en route from which the ticket tends to be less? Also, does it have to be a station that the non-stop train passes? Or could it be any station inside the boundary?

Hatch End is the cheapest origin station, other than Boundary Zone 6. There aren't any 'special' tricks here, unfortunately.

 

[Hadders]

I’d use the LNR ticket office adjacent to platforms 8-11 at Euston. A bit of a hidden gem in my experience and seldom any significant queues.