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Why does Horsham to Exeter via Reading cost so much more than to Pinhoe via Fareham?

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al78

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I experienced a recent apparent anomaly in fare.

Horsham to Pinhoe via Fareham/Salisbury, aiming to catch train about 9:20am, £60 (journey abandoned last minute).
Horsham to Exeter via Redhill and Reading, catch train around 8:30am, £110

An extra four miles on roughly 170 on a different route but avoiding London nearly doubles the price.
 
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yorkie

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I experienced a recent apparent anomaly in fare.

Horsham to Pinhoe via Fareham/Salisbury, aiming to catch train about 9:20am, £60 (journey abandoned last minute).
Horsham to Exeter via Redhill and Reading, catch train around 8:30am, £110

An extra four miles on roughly 170 on a different route but avoiding London nearly doubles the price.
This is not an "anomaly"; it is a lot cheaper to use the route via Fareham/Salisbury than it is to use GWR via Reading. This is entirely intentional.

Like most things, the vast majority of UK rail fares are priced based on market forces and not by distance.

I am aware of genuine anomalies but if they are disclosed where pricing managers can see them, the cheaper fare tends to go up!
 

JB_B

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As well as the general difference between Great Western Mainline and West of England Line fares (which yorkie has already mentioned), Pinhoe is a boundary point for cheaper fares from the south east to Devon via Salisbury - so it's often worth splitting there.
 

Haywain

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The departure times may seem close together but could also impact the relevant fare difference.
 
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