Whether you are just 16-years old or well into the golden years of retirement, travelling around our great country can be very relaxing, enjoyable and rewarding. But doing so just by using Public Transport can provide a whole new experience, especially if you carry a mobile phone with a quality built-in camera for recording both video and still photographs for displaying at home.
What's more, you will probably arrive at your destination completely relaxed and ready to explore.
From the cost point of view, Public Transport can be extremely good value if you plan ahead and take advantage of various travel discounts that are available.
In London and the South East the no-brainer is to buy a Railcard which usually provides a 33% discount on your rail travel for a period of 12-months for between £20 to £35 depending on the actual railcard you require. If you want to save even more money a 36-months version is available at less than the cost of three, annual railcards.. Whilst you do have to buy the Card and carry it with you on all journeys, the cost breaks even after only two or three journeys are made, so your savings then start to accumulate quickly.
The London Travel Area is divided into zones, the Central area being Zone 1. A One Day Travelcard (Peak or Off-Peak) will provide unlimited journeys on main line rail, London Underground trains, Trams, Elizabeth Line, and buses within Zones 1 to 6. If you live outside the London Travel Area, you can still buy a one-day Travelcard from your local railway station or on-line. This provides one journey towards London and one return journey to your home station with the flexibility of travel within zones 1-6.
As an example, a one-day off-peak Travelcard from the Wealden Line Area will cost around £30 for an adult. With a Railcard added into the mix, this reduces to just over £20
Compared to the cost of using a private car and then trying to find somewhere nearby to park when you arrive at your destination, Rail Travel is usually extremely good value.