Liverpool to Blackpool via Southport / "Blackpool stations"

[jednick]

I want to travel from Liverpool to Blackpool, returning the following day.

I know the usual route from Liverpool would take me via St Helens and Wigan, and then change at Preston.

Firstly, I'd like to know, for the same price, could I go via Southport? So, it would be Liverpool Central to Southport and then I'll spend a couple of hours in Southport. Then I get the train to Burscough Bridge, walk to Burscough Junction and then get the train to Preston.

If this is a valid route, and doesn't cost me more, would I experience any problems at the ticket barriers at Southport?

Secondly, I want to arrive at Blackpool South but the next day I want to depart from Blackpool North.

Can I buy a ticket that specifies to "Blackpool stations"? Or, does a ticket have to say either Blackpool North or Blackpool South?

If it is the latter, is it generally accepted that a return from Liverpool to Blackpool North would also be valid to/from Blackpool South?

 

[lyndhurst25]

My part of the world and a question that I've had to look into previously! Routeing Guide map CP implies that that you have to go via Ormskirk, if going from Liverpool to Preston avoiding Wigan. However, Merseyrail Northern Line stations from Bank Hall northwards are associated with Preston as a roueting point, so the question is what is the shortest distance to Preston (effectively to Burscough Junction or Burscough Bridge if you are doing the walking interchange) from each one? By my reckoning Hall Road to Burscough is shorter via Southport than via Sandhills and Ormskirk, so that would be valid. Blundellsands to Burscough is slightly shorter via Sandhills and Ormskirk, but as the difference is less than 3 miles then I believe that that may be valid via Southport too (fare experts, am I right?). So what you probably need is Blundellsands to Blackpool SHR return, plus a single from Liverpool to Blundellsands (£3.60). I'm assuming that you are coming back via Wigan and St. Helens.

 

[Deafdoggie]

There are no "Blackpool Stations" tickets. However I have never had any issues in them being accepted at either. I believe that the barriers at North accept valid South tickets too. If anyone did kick up a fuss, then it's a single to/from Kirkham.

 

[Merseysider]

Liverpool - Southport - (Burscough/Wigan) - Preston - Blackpool is a valid route.

NRE.co.uk confirms this.

Northern accept BPN/BPS tickets interchangably, providing the higher fare, where applicable, is paid. This isn't in writing anywhere, but guards do not penalise passengers in this situation.