The internet has banded together to share a new hack for cheaper journeys between central London and Heathrow Airport.

Discounts for off-peak travel on London Underground and Elizabeth line trains from Zone 1 to Heathrow were scrapped on Sunday.

It now costs £5.50, instead of the previous £3.50, to travel between central London and Heathrow Airport on the Piccadilly line.

A similar journey on the Elizabeth line comes in at £12.80, a trip which cost £10.80 before Sunday.

Several online blogs have now found a cheaper alternative for budget-conscious travellers.

People can sidestep the 57% fare increase by simply adding a few minutes to the journey.

London Underground passengers travelling on the Piccadilly line to Heathrow can pay the same fare as before if they get off at Hatton Cross – one stop before the west London airport – tap out at the ticket barriers, tap back in, and catch the next Tube.

The same crafty method can be used to save money on Elizabeth line journeys.

Getting off – and back on again – at Hayes and Harlington station is £3 cheaper than a non-stop trip to Heathrow.

A post by London blogger ‘diamond geezer’ revealed the hack to the world.

The user said the method would once have been known as ‘penny-pinching’ but that ‘we no longer live in normal times.’

He added: ‘The Heathrow off-peak fare hike is very much the advance guard for a number of nastier decisions coming down the line – thanks Mr Shapps – so steel yourself for more unexpected and unwanted announcements coming all too soon.’

Transport for London (TfL) said the removal of off-peak discounts is a result of conditions imposed by the Department for Transport – led by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps – as part of a £1.2 billion funding package agreed last week.

It will help ensure ‘financial sustainability’ is reached.

Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL, said earlier this week: ‘Changes to the fares to Heathrow and the increase to the Oyster card fee are necessary to comply with the Government’s funding conditions.

‘These will help to ensure that TfL can reach financial sustainability as soon as possible.

‘Both TfL and the mayor remain committed to keeping fares as affordable as possible.

‘The Hopper fare for buses and trams as well as daily and weekly fare capping continue to help keep down the cost of travel across London for everyone.’

London Mayor Sadiq Khan had added that the price rise was chosen on a route that would have a ‘lower impact’ on commuters.

He added: ‘The increase was chosen on a route which will have the least impact on commuters struggling with the rising cost of living.

‘This fare increase was chosen as one which would have a lower impact on Londoners currently worried about the cost of living, and to ensure that journeys that avoid Zone 1 will not be affected, helping to protect those living near and working at the airport.’

Along with travel rises, the fee for buying an Oyster card also rose on Sunday, from £5 to £7.

The price increases are expected to generate an additional £27 million per year and support TfL in achieving its target of financially sustainable operations by April 2023.

Heathrow Express fares are unaffected by the changes.

The service – which runs non-stop between the airport and Paddington, west London – costs £25 for a single ticket bought on the day of travel, although advance tickets are available from £5.50.

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