Frequently asked questions

Ali Says:

On 19 March, South West Trains announced that some off peak fares on journeys towards Waterloo will increase by up to 20%. To help passengers to avoid these increases Passenger Focus offers the following advice.

How will I be affected by the changes South West Trains has announced?
The increase will not apply to:
• Journeys out of London
• Travel within the London Zonal Fare area
• Travel at weekends or bank holidays
• Standard class season tickets

If you are travelling towards London on a weekday, find out exactly how the new fares will affect you. You can check South West Trains’ website and compare this to National Rail Enquiries which shows the current fares (for journeys before 20 May). Details of the new fares can also be seen at South West Trains stations.

How can I beat the price hikes?

• Buy now before the fares go up
Until 12 May, you can buy tickets at current prices even if you are travelling after 20 May, when the fares go up. However, to do this you must specify the exact date you want to travel after 20 May.

• Travel later or at weekends
The bigger increases will typically apply to those weekday services arriving into London between 10am and 12noon. If you can travel after this period you may be able to avoid the higher prices. If travelling during the week, when buying your ticket, ask when the cheapest time is to travel. Weekends are not subject to any peak-time restrictions.

• When buying tickets state that you want to buy the cheapest fare possible and ask if there are any deals
Some South West Trains routes offer advance purchase fares which enable you to buy a discounted ticket and reserve a seat. Some of which can be booked up to 18:00 the night before travel (subject to availability). For details contact South West Trains. See www.southwesttrains.co.uk for more details or call 0845 6000 650. Additionally, Megatrain offers discounted tickets for some journeys on the South West Trains network. Tickets can cost as little as £1, however they need to be booked in advance. See www.megatrain.com/uk for more details or call 0900 160 0900.

• Travelling in a group? – use a ‘GroupSave’ ticket
If you are travelling with others ask about ‘GroupSave’. This enables 3 or 4 adults to travel for the price of 2. Up to 4 children aged 5-15 can also accompany the GroupSave party for just £1 each.

• Buy a Railcard
There are a number of different Railcards available. They entitle you to a discount on the price of most tickets. Restrictions may apply to the times the discount can be used and the tickets you can purchase with your Railcard.

Network Railcard: This gives a third off the price of your ticket for you and up to three other adults and up to 4 children. The Network Railcard costs £20 for a year and gives saving on many South West Trains’ routes. Network Railcards can be used after 10:00 Mondays to Fridays and at anytime on the weekends. Adult fares are subject to £10 minimum fare, Monday to Friday (this does not apply at weekends). See www.railcard.co.uk or call 08457 48 49 50 for more details.

Other National Railcards offering up to a third off the price of your ticket include:
Young Person’s Railcard: for passengers aged between 16 and 25 inclusive or mature students in full-time education.
Senior Railcard: for passengers aged 60 or over.
Disabled Person’s Railcard: please see www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk for eligibility
Family Railcard: for one or two adults travelling with up to four children between the ages of 5 and 15, none of whom need to be related.

• Other discounts
Annual season tickets valid in the London and South East area are issued as Gold Cards or Gold Card Travelcards and offer benefits similar to a Network Railcard but without the minimum fare. An annual Gold Card or Gold Card Travelcard holder may also purchase a Network Railcard for the reduced price of £1 for a relative or friend. Other benefits of Gold Cards include off-peak first class upgrades for just £5 and cheap travel for friends and family.

See www.railcard.co.uk or call National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 for more.