Ticket prices to cross the Elizabeth line

[GodAtum]

Abbey Wood to Reading off-peak is £26.60 for a paper ticket but £13.90 for contactless. Is that correct? I'd hate to have to register my credit card with TFL.

 

[swt_passenger]

An Offpeak single is priced just less than an Offpeak return, as is common all over the country. The return ticket is much better value.

If you want to go contactless you don’t have to register your card, but AIUI your online journey history will be more limited.

 

[Haywain]

I'd hate to have to register my credit card with TFL.

You don't have to register your card to use contactless payment.

 

[Watershed]

Abbey Wood to Reading off-peak is £26.60 for a paper ticket but £13.90 for contactless. Is that correct? I'd hate to have to register my credit card with TFL.

If you're making a one-way journey and aren't eligible for any Railcard discounts, then yes - contactless is a lot cheaper than a paper ticket. It's because fares are based on 'single leg pricing', i.e. half the cost of a return, whereas paper singles are usually just 10p or £1 less than a return.

There's no need to register your contactless card before using it to PAYG - the only benefit of registering is that you can see a longer journey history and can get automated statements sent to you (e.g. for expense claims).

 

[AlbertBeale]

You don't have to register your card to use contactless payment.

Unless you want a concessionary Oyster card - in which case you can only have one if you allow TfL to log your movements and to share the information without your further permission.

 

[Vespa]

Are you able to use the oyster card to go to Reading ?

I have an oyster card with disabled railcard registered to it and can load cash credit on it.

 

[Dstock7080]

Are you able to use the oyster card to go to Reading ?

I have an oyster card with disabled railcard registered to it and can load cash credit on it.

No
Oyster cards are not valid beyond West Drayton

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf

 

[Haywain]

Unless you want a concessionary Oyster card - in which case you can only have one if you allow TfL to log your movements and to share the information without your further permission.

It’s not compulsory to have a concessionary Oyster card, that’s a choice. And that has nothing to do with contactless payment.

 

[Vespa]

No
Oyster cards are not valid beyond West Drayton

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf

Ok thanks for the info, this leads to another question if I register my contactless card to my oyster account, will my disabled railcard apply to it ?

If not will I have to show it before buying a paper ticket instead ?

 

[Haywain]

if I register my contactless card to my oyster account, will my disabled railcard apply to it ?

No. Railcard discounts do not apply to contactless payment.

 

[Starmill]

Ok thanks for the info, this leads to another question if I register my contactless card to my oyster account, will my disabled railcard apply to it ?

If not will I have to show it before buying a paper ticket instead ?

To use the discount you'll either have to buy a paper ticket for your whole journey before you board your first train, or alternatively, use your Oyster card with your discount entitlement on it to touch in, travel to West Drayton and touch out, then either touch in with a Contactless card or buy a paper ticket before boarding the following train to continue your journey. Obviously the latter option will take longer, so it will be worth comparing the prices in advance.

Generally you must to show your railcard when asked. This will usually be during a ticket inspection, but won't happen at a ticket machine or if buying a ticket online. It may happen if you're buying a ticket from a person though.

 

[Vespa]

To use the discount you'll either have to buy a paper ticket for your whole journey before you board your first train, or alternatively, use your Oyster card with your discount entitlement on it to touch in, travel to West Drayton and touch out, then either touch in with a Contactless card or buy a paper ticket before boarding the following train to continue your journey. Obviously the latter option will take longer, so it will be worth comparing the prices in advance.

Generally you must to show your railcard when asked. This will usually be during a ticket inspection, but won't happen at a ticket machine or if buying a ticket online. It may happen if you're buying a ticket from a person though.

Looks like my option then is to get off at West Drayton and buy a ticket there then rejoin the train, they come round very frequently so I shouldn't have to wait long, is there a ticket machine at West Drayton ?

I may take it as opportunity to have a look round West Drayton before carrying on to Reading

Thank you Haywain and Starmill for your advice.

 

[Watershed]

Looks like my option then is to get off at West Drayton and buy a ticket there then rejoin the train, they come round very frequently so I shouldn't have to wait long, is there a ticket machine at West Drayton ?

I may take it as opportunity to have a look round West Drayton before carrying on to Reading

Thank you Haywain and Starmill for your advice.

It may well be cheaper to use a paper ticket throughout. It depends on whether you are making a single or return journey, what time you are travelling etc.

There is a ticket machine and ticket office at West Drayton, as well as barriers.

 

[DeverseSam]

For added value, consider the Thames Branches Day Ranger valid west from Paddington.

 

[Paul Kelly]

If you're making a one-way journey and aren't eligible for any Railcard discounts, then yes - contactless is a lot cheaper than a paper ticket.

Usually still quite a bit cheaper even if you do have a railcard.