Train from Watford Junction to London Euston - fares and tickets?

[Connacht]

On a Tuesday afternoon in July, I intend to get the train with my family from Watford Junction to London Euston, and then walk to St. Pancras to get the Eurostar.

I don't want to take the Overground, too slow.

I intend to take the LNWR trains, they take about 16-22 mins.

There will be two adults and two children, ages 9 and 12.

We are visiting England for one night, we do not live in England.

None of us have Oyster cards.

My query is about the fares, in particular the children's fares.

The TFL single fare finder says GBP 6.60 for adults, if paid by Oyster or contactless.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares/tube-and-rail-fares/single-fare-finder?intcmp=54716

The two adults can use their debit cards. My Revolut card is already linked to TFL, and I presume my wife can simply use an un-registered card.

Based on this webpage and the associated map, the 9yo can travel for free

5-10 Zip Oyster photocard

Children aged 5-10 get free travel on all our transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard

tfl.gov.uk

My query is about the 12yo, it seems I will have to buy a 50% paper LNWR child ticket at machine for 6.10?

It's odd that the child ticket ends up being more or less the same as the adult fare.

So 6.60+6.60+6.10 = 19.30 in total.

I welcome any advice, or comments, thank you.

 

[MrJeeves]

Based on this webpage and the associated map, the 9yo can travel for free

Provided you get the Zip Oyster photocard, yes.

My query is about the 12yo, it seems I will have to buy a 50% paper LNWR child ticket at machine for 6.10?

The smart option would be to get the equivalent 11-15 Zip Oyster, which offers 50% off most National Rail fares at the Oyster prices: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/11-15-zip-oyster-photocard

That's £3.30 off-peak.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Provided you get the Zip Oyster photocard, yes.


The smart option would be to get the equivalent 11-15 Zip Oyster, which offers 50% off most National Rail fares at the Oyster prices: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/11-15-zip-oyster-photocard

That's £3.30 off-peak.

View attachment 138256

But how much does it cost to get the Zip Cards?

 

[hexagon789]

But how much does it cost to get the Zip Cards?

£15 I think; there's also rather an involved application process

 

[fandroid]

Provided you get the Zip Oyster photocard, yes.

I believe that this is wrong and that the OP is correct. The 9 year old can travel free, without a zip-card, if accompanied by an adult. TfL include a map of National Rail services where this applies, in addition to their directly run network. Watford Junction to Euston is included on the map. I have used this facility, but on other National Rail lines in London. Just go together through a wide gate using the contactless card.

This is the appropriate TfL webpage

5-10 Zip Oyster photocard

Children aged 5-10 get free travel on all our transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard

tfl.gov.uk

Below is the comment that Mr Jeeves was replying to

Based on this webpage and the associated map, the 9yo can travel for free

 

[Connacht]

Yes, correct, we don't need a Zip Oyster photocard for the 9yo.






We have no intention of applying for any Oyster cards, as years might pass before we will be in London, or even England again.

 

[fandroid]

I think you're stuck with buying that child paper ticket for your 12yo.

TfL runs the system for contactless (and Oyster) and there are massive savings for those who use them compared with paper tickets. Sadly the appropriate arrangements for older children are aimed at residents rather than visitors

 

[island]

For completeness, there is the option of buying a retail Oyster card and getting a staff member to set the child visitor discount on it, allowing travel at 50% of the adult Oyster fare. If this is the only trip you'll be making for the foreseeable, then there's no point doing this as the card will cost £7.

 

[Andrew1395]

If it’s not that difficult to get to Bushey station, (2 miles south of Watford Junction). There are fast trains from platform 6 every half hour to Euston.

You can get a child SDS for £4.75, the adults contactless fare will be £4.70 if you are travelling off peak. So a total of £14.15