Scuse my 'not having a clue about london transport'...again

[audigex]

Okay, I'm a country lad, I admit it - these big cities confuse me.

Quick question (s):
Firstly, if I have a ticket from Lancaster to Wembley Central, will that include the Overground from Euston to Wembley Central, or is that seperate under the whole oyster card bollocks?
Secondly, would I be better off (speed now, forget the money) getting that Overground train, or a couple of underground's? (Victoria and Bakerloo lines, I think it was)
And finally - do you really need exact change or an oyster card to get a bus in London? Or is that only night buses/if you're unlucky or something? (The horror stories we get up here, really)

Ta muchly.

[Kevo00]

a) Yes, unless your ticket has some sort of restriction printed on it.
b) Yes, the Overground leaves Euston out of the main train shed, so it will be quicker, and way less hassle to take it.
c) You don't need exact change, but it is much more expensive to get a bus without an Oyster card, so get an Oyster card. Its not very expensive and you will be able to use it whenever you are in London. Its £2 cash or £1.20 flat rate with Oyster, which makes London buses much cheaper than any provincial bus I know.

There. Simple. No horror stories.

[atomicdanny]

There is one other way, you could change at Watford Junction and then catch a London Midland / Southern / London Overground service from there to Wembley Central? That way may be quicker?

[JamieLei]

It seems that there's no difference in tickets for via London (which is permitted, despite the doubling back) and Not Via London (ie: change at Watford Junction). You can do either. Tube is included - London Overground is part of the NR network and thus subject to normal NR conditions.

My advice would be to change at Watford Junction if you can for the LM or Southern train. But I doubt that trains not going to Birmingham or Manchester stop at Watford. If not, go through to Euston, goto the departure boards, and take a suburban service (if there's no fasts departing soon, take the Overground). Don't faff around trying to change trains at Preston or Birmingham or whatnot as the online booking engines suggest - it's not really worth it.

Of course, if you have an Advance ticket, you have to do what your Advance reservation says. Interestingly, even if your reservation ends at Watford, you should still be able to continue onto Euston and double back since Lancaster to Wembley Central via Euston is a valid route for your ticket, even if your reservation ends there.

[Nawdic]

a) Yes, unless your ticket has some sort of restriction printed on it.
b) Yes, the Overground leaves Euston out of the main train shed, so it will be quicker, and way less hassle to take it.
c) You don't need exact change, but it is much more expensive to get a bus without an Oyster card, so get an Oyster card. Its not very expensive and you will be able to use it whenever you are in London. Its £2 cash or £1.20 flat rate with Oyster, which makes London buses much cheaper than any provincial bus I know.

There. Simple. No horror stories.

*Price cap of £3.60 on buses using an oyster card... Go round London for cheaper than a travelcard!

[audigex]

Thanks for the advice guys - went without a hitch (and we won!) =D

[Dave]

Great result for Barrow against Stevenage.

[SHADOW-XIII]

It seems that there's no difference in tickets for via London (which is permitted, despite the doubling back) and Not Via London (ie: change at Watford Junction). You can do either. Tube is included - London Overground is part of the NR network and thus subject to normal NR conditions.

My advice would be to change at Watford Junction if you can for the LM or Southern train. But I doubt that trains not going to Birmingham or Manchester stop at Watford. If not, go through to Euston, goto the departure boards, and take a suburban service (if there's no fasts departing soon, take the Overground). Don't faff around trying to change trains at Preston or Birmingham or whatnot as the online booking engines suggest - it's not really worth it.

Of course, if you have an Advance ticket, you have to do what your Advance reservation says. Interestingly, even if your reservation ends at Watford, you should still be able to continue onto Euston and double back since Lancaster to Wembley Central via Euston is a valid route for your ticket, even if your reservation ends there.

is it really the same ?
mind that he will travel zones 4-6 plus special fare for travel zones "6-Watford" as watford junction is outside of london transportation zone (despite being served by overground, special fares apply)
i am not sure if his ticket includes travelling zones 4+, rather than 1-4 (Euston - Wembley Central)

[JamieLei]

is it really the same ?
mind that he will travel zones 4-6 plus special fare for travel zones "6-Watford" as watford junction is outside of london transportation zone (despite being served by overground, special fares apply)
i am not sure if his ticket includes travelling zones 4+, rather than 1-4 (Euston - Wembley Central)

The ticket is Lancaster right through to Wembley Central. Both ways can be completed entirely on National Rail. Unless a ticket specifically says anything about Zones (the only NR tickets that do are Travelcards, and those begin/end at Boundary Zones), then Zones are irrelevant.

[Kevo00]

Nice one Barrow!

[audigex]

is it really the same ?
mind that he will travel zones 4-6 plus special fare for travel zones "6-Watford" as watford junction is outside of london transportation zone (despite being served by overground, special fares apply)
i am not sure if his ticket includes travelling zones 4+, rather than 1-4 (Euston - Wembley Central)

The ticket is Lancaster right through to Wembley Central. Both ways can be completed entirely on National Rail. Unless a ticket specifically says anything about Zones (the only NR tickets that do are Travelcards, and those begin/end at Boundary Zones), then Zones are irrelevant.

It only said "Route: London" and the turnstiles at Euston accepted it readily enough good enough for me.

You can't argue with 2 and a half hours Lancaster-London, and I was pleasantly surprised by the tube (it's been on strike both of my previous trips to London) as a way to get around, even though several lines/stations were shut.

Got back last night, had a very long sleep and now am off to an exam - good times, methinks.