GWR vs. Elizabeth Line:
When traveling between Reading and London Paddington, I have a couple of questions:
* Is there a fare difference between GWR and the Elizabeth Line, or is the primary distinction the number of stops and overall travel time?
* Does the contactless fare cap apply to both services for this journey, or is it only applicable if I choose the Elizabeth Line?
Reading
GWR vs. Elizabeth Line
When traveling between Reading and London Paddington, there are indeed some key differences between using Great Western Railway (GWR) and the Elizabeth Line.
Fare Difference: Typically, fares on GWR and the Elizabeth Line can vary. GWR generally offers a higher speed service with fewer stops, which might come at a higher price compared to the Elizabeth Line. However, the exact fares can depend on the time of travel, ticket type (advance, off-peak, etc.), and whether you book in advance. It’s best to check the specific fares for your chosen travel time.
Contactless Cap: The contactless cap only applies to journeys made on the Elizabeth Line. If you use contactless payment on the Elizabeth Line for your journey from Reading to Paddington, you will benefit from the daily cap on fares. GWR, on the other hand, does not accept contactless payments in the same way, so the cap would not apply.
In summary, you may find fare differences based on the service you choose, and the contactless daily cap is exclusive to the Elizabeth Line. Depending on your priorities (speed vs. cost), either option could be suitable.