Oyster on Heathrow Connect
#1
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Oyster on Heathrow Connect
I will be in London on Saturday and expect to have hit the daily cap on my Oyster card by the time that I need to head for Heathrow on the Heathrow Connect. Is there a way I can travel from Paddington to Heathrow paying just the £4.90 for the H&H to Heathrow segment? Or should I instead buy a paper off-peak day travelcard at the start of the day?
And Mrs. Stifle has a 16-25 Railcard which is registered to her Oyster Card. Does the answer differ for her (besides that the H&H to Heathrow segment is £3.25 instead)?
And Mrs. Stifle has a 16-25 Railcard which is registered to her Oyster Card. Does the answer differ for her (besides that the H&H to Heathrow segment is £3.25 instead)?
#2
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
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There is a way, but unfortunately, it's not the straightforward one. You need to touch out, or else you'll be charged the 'standard fare' for the day (£7.00). So, you'd need to jump out at H&H, leg it to the nearest Oyster reader, touch out, and hope the train's still there.
As an alternative, the local Oxford service runs 6 minutes earlier than the Heathrow Connect. Leaving Paddington at xx:27 and xx:57, arriving into H&H at xx:42 and xx:12, then an 11-minute wait at H&H for the HEC. It's not ideal, but it's up to you to figure out what is most convenient and/or cost-effective.
As an alternative, the local Oxford service runs 6 minutes earlier than the Heathrow Connect. Leaving Paddington at xx:27 and xx:57, arriving into H&H at xx:42 and xx:12, then an 11-minute wait at H&H for the HEC. It's not ideal, but it's up to you to figure out what is most convenient and/or cost-effective.
#3
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Thanks. Just reviewing things now it appears that the Oyster off-peak daily cap is set at the same price as the off-peak day travelcard (was it previously less or am I making things up?) If that's the case I think we shall just buy paper off-peak day travelcards rather than playing mad dash at H&H (and as we're starting at a National Rail station I believe that means Mrs. Stifle can get her railcard discount on the ODT as well).
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: London
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Thanks. Just reviewing things now it appears that the Oyster off-peak daily cap is set at the same price as the off-peak day travelcard (was it previously less or am I making things up?) If that's the case I think we shall just buy paper off-peak day travelcards rather than playing mad dash at H&H (and as we're starting at a National Rail station I believe that means Mrs. Stifle can get her railcard discount on the ODT as well).
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Posts: 5,706
[For the benfit of others the travelcard needs to be bought from a national rail station ticket office/window or from a ticket machine belonging to a national rail (train) operating company to get a railcard discount. The ticket selling facilities of the underground stations themselves - that are colocated at National Rail stations are not suitable.]
Note also, that the 16-25 railcard does not have a minimum fare monday to friday after 10am. So, depending upon travel needs, this could be cheaper for her on other days also.
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,605
And unless you are going to be near Paddington anyway I don't see the point of going out of your way to try and catch a twice an hour service
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
You can. If bought from a train company (i.e. on national rail stock).
Indeed, depending upon where you are, going via the picadilly line can frequently be quicker.
[Incidentally, for the really frugal who already have a travelcard or capped oyster, the cheapest way from H&H to LHR is to then switch to the Bus from H&H station. It is outside the Heathrow free flow zone, but your travelcard will cover it or your capped oyster.]
And unless you are going to be near Paddington anyway I don't see the point of going out of your way to try and catch a twice an hour service
[Incidentally, for the really frugal who already have a travelcard or capped oyster, the cheapest way from H&H to LHR is to then switch to the Bus from H&H station. It is outside the Heathrow free flow zone, but your travelcard will cover it or your capped oyster.]