Advance Ticket break of journey query.

[Mark J]

Tomorrow I will be traveling from Wokingham to Worcester Foregate with a rail sale advance ticket. This ticket is a single ticket covering the whole journey from Wokingham to Worcester.

The Journey times are as follows:

Wokingham to Reading.

Dep 7:40am, arr Reading at 7:50am

Reading to Worcester

Dep 8:19am, arr 10am.

My question relates to the Reading section of the journey.

As there is a 29 minute gap between arriving at Reading, and the departure for Worcester, will I be allowed through the barriers at Reading in order pick up some food items in the M&S on the concourse, and a vape before boarding the Worcester journey?

Whilst I understand there are rules around break of journeys using advance tickets, with a 29 minute gap between trains, it seems a bit unreasonable for this to be enforced, and having to loiter around the platform areas for this amount of time.

 

[AlterEgo]

That won’t be a problem.

 

[Watershed]

It is explicitly defined that using station facilities does not constitute a break of journey. Moreover, asking to exit the barriers for a smoke/vape is perfectly common and the staff would far rather you did it on the "public" side of the barriers than on the station premises.

So your proposal would be absolutely fine.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It is explicitly defined that using station facilities does not constitute a break of journey.

It's not any more. However...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Feb 2025 ==

That won’t be a problem.

This.

The only place I ever heard of making it an issue was Clapham Junction.

 

[startingaparty]

I always do this when changing at Leeds on an Advance Single ticket: go to M&S and have a ciggie, and never have an issue. It will be fine.

 

[Watershed]

It's not any more. However...

Everything to do with break of journey says "except to change trains or use station facilities". So clearly neither of these are counted as a break of journey.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Everything to do with break of journey says "except to change trains or use station facilities". So clearly neither of these are counted as a break of journey.

It doesn't say that for Advances. Nor is the meaning of BoJ defined any more (it used to be defined as leaving railway property unless necessary to board a train at another station).

6. Break of journey
6.1 You may not start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.

Advance Tickets Terms and Conditions | National Rail

The terms and conditions for using Advance tickets on National Rail services. Advance tickets are single tickets for selected journeys, available in First Class and Standard Class, offering the best available price for each journey.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

However, again it's only one gateline that I ever heard of making an issue of it.

 

[Mark J]

Thanks for the replies. I was uncertain as to if a break of journey included using station facilities too. However, if it was not allowed, it would have been a bit unreasonable to expect someone to be loitering around on the platform side for a good amount of time. Especially as the supposed connection times at Reading is five minutes.

 

[Skiddaw]

It's probably pushing things a bit Mark J but on the presumption you have no difficulties in being let through the barriers there's an M&S in the town centre (less than a 5 minute walk from the station) with a much bigger selection of sarnies and without the station price mark-up.... just so you know....

 

[gray1404]

I was also avoid using terms like break of journey and just simply ask for what you want. That is to go and get some food and have a smoke.

 

[Hadders]

It's probably pushing things a bit Mark J but on the presumption you have no difficulties in being let through the barriers there's an M&S in the town centre (less than a 5 minute walk from the station) with a much bigger selection of sarnies and without the station price mark-up.... just so you know....

Therer's a brand new Sainsbury's Local on Station Road, less than a minute walk from the station entrance.

 

[Trackman]

Never had a ticket barrier refuse me with an advance ticket, never needed to ask staff.

 

[mickey]

Never had a ticket barrier refuse me with an advance ticket, never needed to ask staff.

Reading gates allow exit but not re-entry - imo it’s actually easier to ask staff because they’ll remember letting you out when you come back. I do this a lot at Reading (for Pret/Sainsbury’s, not to smoke!), the staff there are good and never make a fuss about it. They do check tickets to make sure it’s reasonable but I’ve never been refused.

 

[Mark J]

Reading gates allow exit but not re-entry - imo it’s actually easier to ask staff because they’ll remember letting you out when you come back. I do this a lot at Reading (for Pret/Sainsbury’s, not to smoke!), the staff there are good and never make a fuss about it. They do check tickets to make sure it’s reasonable but I’ve never been refused.

They didn't this morning.

I swiped my barcode on the reader and 'seek assistance' flashed up on the exit barrier.

When I showed my e-ticket and explained about the half an hour gap between arriving and my next train, I was allowed through.

The same person even remembered me 25 minutes later!

I actually popped to Greggs (in Queen Vic St) for a Bacon Roll and Coffee in the end!

Yes, I'm well aware of the station mark-up.

There is now a new Sainsbury's Local very near to the town side station entrance too.