Fares Guide
The are a wide variety
of tickets available for you to use on the rail network, so you are
bound to find one that is tailored to your particular needs. Below
are details on some of the most popular tickets that are available
to buy on the Marston Vale Line, and who they are tailored for.
Simply click on one of the below links to take you to the type of
ticket that you are interested in.
All rail tickets sold are subject to the National Conditions of
Carriage. Generally, if you understand when your ticket is valid,
and stick to the most direct route to your destination, you should
be ok.
It should be noted that the rail industry has recently changed the
structure of rail fares. See our news item
for more information.
Season
Tickets | Anytime
Fares | Off-Peak
Fares | Groupsave |
Tickets to
London | Advance Purchase Fares
Season Tickets
Types of ticket: Weekly or longer
Cost: Cheaper than buying several individual tickets
When you can travel: Anytime
Period of validity: From one week to one year
Suitable for: Frequent travellers
Where they can be purchased: Weekly tickets can be
purchased from the conductor. Other season tickets can only be
purchased from manned ticket offices
Other restrictions: None
If you plan to travel between two stations more than 3 times a
week, then a season ticket would be perfect for you. Season tickets
allow you unlimited travel at any time between the two stations on
the ticket for however long the ticket is valid. As a result, they
are ideal if you want to make frequent trips between two stations,
such as the journey to and from work or school.
The most popular ticket on the line is a Weekly ticket, which can
be purchased from the conductor, although longer period season
tickets are available. For any season ticket that is valid for one
month or longer, you will need to go to a manned ticket office,
with a passport-sized photo, and fill out a season ticket form. You
can then buy your ticket then and there.
While season tickets do involve a significant one-off cost for
buying the ticket, you will actually save money as the cost per day
is lower than if you bought tickets on each day.
Anytime Fares
Cost: Most expensive day ticket
When you can travel: Anytime
Period of validity: One day
Suitable for: People who want maximum flexibility, and don't mind paying
a little more, and anyone who wishes to travel before 9am on a
weekday
Where they can be purchased: Online, at the ticket office,
or from the conductor
Other restrictions: None
Anytime fares are generally the most expensive day fares, with the
plus side being that they can be used on any trains during that
day, unlike off-peak tickets which can only be used after 9am. As a
result, they are ideal for infrequent travellers in the week who
wish to travel before 9am.
Off-Peak Fares
Cost: The cheapest day tickets
When you can travel: After 9am on weekdays, and any time at
weekends
Period of validity: One day
Suitable for: People who are flexible with their time, and
want a low cost ticket
Where they can be purchased: Online, at the ticket office,
or from the conductor
Other restrictions: None
Off-Peak fares are the cheapest day fares that are available to
buy, although if you plan to travel during the week they can only
be purchased and used after 9am. As a result, if you are flexible
with your time, travel infrequently, and want the cheapest possible
ticket, then an off-peak fare would be ideal for you.
Groupsave
Types of ticket:
Groupsave
Cost: Up to 4 adults travel for the price of 2
When you can travel: After 9am on weekdays, and any time at
weekends
Period of validity: One day
Suitable for: People who want to travel in a group
Where they can be purchased: Online, at the ticket office,
or from the conductor
Other restrictions: None
Groupsave is an excellent, but often under-used, fare that is
ideal if you are travelling in a group, or want a family day out on
the line. With this return ticket, up to 4 adults can travel
together as a single group for just the cost of two during off-peak
times.
Tickets to London
Types of
ticket: Standard and Cheap Day Tickets and Travelcards
Cost: Variable, but Travelcards offer significant discounts
over buying seperate bus and underground tickets
When you can travel: Peak fares and Travelcards can be
used at any time. Off-Peak fares and Travelcards can only be used
after 9am on weekdays, and any time at weekends
Period of validity: One day
Suitable for: People who want to travel to and around
London
Where they can be purchased: Online, at the ticket office,
or from the conductor
Other restrictions: No off-peak fares permitted on trains
to Bedford from London that leave London between 16:30 and 19:00 on
weekdays. No such restriction applies to trains at Bletchley.
By its two connections at Bletchley and Bedford, the Marston Vale
Line offers excellent connections to London. Passengers can buy a
variety of tickets for travel to and from the capital from your
local Marston Vale station. The most popular tickets are
Travelcards. These tickets include your return train fare to and
from London, but also allow unlimited use of the majority of London
bus and underground services. It is also possible to buy normal
single and return tickets to and from London stations, however
these do not give you the benefit of unlimited use of London buses
and the underground.
Advance Purchase Fares
Types of
ticket: Advance
Cost: Generally very cheap
When you can travel: On specific trains only
Period of validity: Date on the ticket
Suitable for: People who travel long distance, and are
flexible in their travel arrangements
Where they can be purchased: Online or at the ticket
office
Other restrictions: Some fares can only be used on specific
operators
If you are planning to travel a long way, and you are flexible on
when you can travel, then purchasing in advance can often lead to
some great deals. Not only this, but you can also reserve your own
seat on some trains.
Printer
friendly version of this page
E-mail this page to a friend