When using an advance ticket, do you have to use it EXACTLY as specified....

4SRKT · 31st August 2010, 17:41

....even if I want to get on at a later station?

Specific example:

I want to travel from Prestatyn to Shipley, which is £16 advance single. However, I'm unsure of the exact arrangements on the day and may want to board at Flint instead. However, there's no advance available from Flint to Shipley, only an anytime single costing £££££ more than the Prestatyn > Shipley advance.

Can I just book the advance and turn up at Flint if that's the way it works out on the day?

kwvr45 · 31st August 2010, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4SRKT

....even if I want to get on at a later station?

Specific example:

I want to travel from Prestatyn to Shipley, which is £16 advance single. However, I'm unsure of the exact arrangements on the day and may want to board at Flint instead. However, there's no advance available from Flint to Shipley, only an anytime single costing £££££ more than the Prestatyn > Shipley advance.

Can I just book the advance and turn up at Flint if that's the way it works out on the day?

On paper, no you can't. In reality it shouldn't be a problem. The actual rules say that you are not allowed to start, break or resume, or end your journey at any other station unless to change trains on the travel itinery. But in practice I don't think it is a general problem starting a short distance down the line. Are there any advance fares from Chester? You could buy advance Chester to Shipley and then just buy a single from whichever station you start at to get you to Chester. This may cost very slightly more, but does give that extra security that there definately won't be a problem.

323235 · 31st August 2010, 17:48

Officially You cannot start/break/end your journey at any intermediate station on an Advance ticket, except as advised by your booked itinary i.e. to change train.

Lampshade · 31st August 2010, 17:50

Hmm, advance fares seem to stop at Prestatyn.

4SRKT · 31st August 2010, 18:00

I suppose I could get on at Flint, sneak straight into the toilet, only to emerge as the train pulls out, looking ill and like I've been in there for the last, oh, 13 minutes or so.......

Lampshade · 31st August 2010, 18:05

There's always the possibility of a station block at Flint.

4SRKT · 31st August 2010, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91107

There's always the possibility of a station block at Flint.

Given my earlier suggestion, there could be a danger of a toilet block at Flint....

Lampshade · 31st August 2010, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4SRKT

Given my earlier suggestion, there could be a danger of a toilet block at Flint....

Nooo, I meant they may have RPIs covering the station and would stop you boarding there, unlikely though.

4SRKT · 31st August 2010, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91107

Nooo, I meant they may have RPIs covering the station and would stop you boarding there, unlikely though.

I realise that! I was being, well, a bit crude....

MikeWh · 31st August 2010, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91107

Nooo, I meant they may have RPIs covering the station and would stop you boarding there, unlikely though.

You could buy a single to the next station to get through the block, then resort to plan toilet.

Lampshade · 31st August 2010, 18:50

Aha, good ideas all round.

4SRKT · 31st August 2010, 19:12

I've often heard of people hiding in the toilet to avoid paying, but this is the first time I've ever imagined hiding in there in order to make a shorter journey than the one I've paid for. The indignities that the modern ticketing system forces on law-abiding travellers!

RJ · 31st August 2010, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4SRKT

I've often heard of people hiding in the toilet to avoid paying, but this is the first time I've ever imagined hiding in there in order to make a shorter journey than the one I've paid for. The indignities that the modern ticketing system forces on law-abiding travellers!

The conditions of the discounted ticket are clearly stipulated prior to the point of purchase. If you want more flexibility then you have to buy the appropriate ticket, end of.

tony_mac · 31st August 2010, 22:14

Quote:

clearly stipulated prior to the point of purchase.

this often (usually?) is not true.

Quote:

If you want more flexibility then you have to buy the appropriate ticket, end of.

So I should sit in the station and wait for 90 minutes for the next connection instead of walking for 15 minutes to my destination?

I don't think that anybody (else) would think that is reasonable!

RJ · 31st August 2010, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony_mac

this often (usually?) is not true.

Let's stick to the subject in hand. I find it hard to believe that when purchasing an advance ticket online that the restriction was not clearly stated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony_mac

So I should sit in the station and wait for 90 minutes for the next connection instead of walking for 15 minutes to my destination?

I don't think that anybody (else) would think that is reasonable!

If you'd rather do that then buy an appropriate ticket, that's your perogative.

31st August 2010, 17:41	#1
4SRKT Established Member Join Date: 9 Jan 2009 Posts: 4,162	When using an advance ticket, do you have to use it EXACTLY as specified.... ....even if I want to get on at a later station? Specific example: I want to travel from Prestatyn to Shipley, which is £16 advance single. However, I'm unsure of the exact arrangements on the day and may want to board at Flint instead. However, there's no advance available from Flint to Shipley, only an anytime single costing £££££ more than the Prestatyn > Shipley advance. Can I just book the advance and turn up at Flint if that's the way it works out on the day?

31st August 2010, 17:50	#4
Lampshade DIY Calzone Expert Established Member Join Date: 3 Sep 2009 Location: South London Posts: 3,386	Hmm, advance fares seem to stop at Prestatyn. __________________ 2013 Haulage: 142, 144, 150, 158, 170, 185, 319, 322, 333, 390, 455, 458 (), 465 2013 TOCs: NR, TPE, VWC, SWT, SET, FCC

31st August 2010, 18:05	#6
Lampshade DIY Calzone Expert Established Member Join Date: 3 Sep 2009 Location: South London Posts: 3,386	There's always the possibility of a station block at Flint. __________________ 2013 Haulage: 142, 144, 150, 158, 170, 185, 319, 322, 333, 390, 455, 458 (), 465 2013 TOCs: NR, TPE, VWC, SWT, SET, FCC

31st August 2010, 18:50	#11
Lampshade DIY Calzone Expert Established Member Join Date: 3 Sep 2009 Location: South London Posts: 3,386	Aha, good ideas all round. __________________ 2013 Haulage: 142, 144, 150, 158, 170, 185, 319, 322, 333, 390, 455, 458 (), 465 2013 TOCs: NR, TPE, VWC, SWT, SET, FCC

31st August 2010, 17:48	#3
323235 Ticketing Enthusiast Established Member Join Date: 8 Dec 2007 Location: North East Cheshire Posts: 1,055	Officially You cannot start/break/end your journey at any intermediate station on an Advance ticket, except as advised by your booked itinary i.e. to change train.

31st August 2010, 18:00	#5
4SRKT Established Member Join Date: 9 Jan 2009 Posts: 4,162	I suppose I could get on at Flint, sneak straight into the toilet, only to emerge as the train pulls out, looking ill and like I've been in there for the last, oh, 13 minutes or so.......

31st August 2010, 19:12	#12
4SRKT Established Member Join Date: 9 Jan 2009 Posts: 4,162	I've often heard of people hiding in the toilet to avoid paying, but this is the first time I've ever imagined hiding in there in order to make a shorter journey than the one I've paid for. The indignities that the modern ticketing system forces on law-abiding travellers!