joy54 said:
It is actually better to buy it to the nearest place to London on the loop as this would be the cheapest, and it would be valid as it takes the direct trains rule.
True, providing you don't get off, but what isn't clear is this:-
Does the train just have to be timetabled to be a through train OR does it have to be
advertised as such?
ie. if a train is only advertised to a certain point, and you only know it's a through train because you've looked it up in the NRT, is it valid or not? it's not really made clear. Also, does this ignore the 'no doubling back' rule?
Taking it to extremes, there
could be a case for using a Waterloo-Clapham ticket around the loop, however that would seem ridiculous and you'd almost certainly be liable to be penalty fared for that, I would have thought!
Of course you must not get off at an intermediate station[1]. An example of this is Peterborough-London via Ipswich, you cannot use a London-Peterborough train and get off at Ipswich to save money. (GNER priced fares are cheaper than 'one' priced fares[2]).
[1] While on a route that is otherwise invalid.
[2] It's cheaper to do London-Peterborough (76 miles direct) -
and even London-Grantham (106 miles) - than London-Ipswich (only 69 miles),
and that's for a
much faster
and more frequent service!!! Note: I am comparing the cheapest walk-on off-peak 'Any permitted' return fare.