Train Pricing - 2 Singles Cheaper Than A Return?

NotAnExpert_3

Hi

Just wondering if someone could clarify something for me: I go to the National Rail website and find a return ticket (eg, London - Manchester -London) for £30. This is broken down as: outgoing journey (London - Manchester - depart 8am) £10, and return journey (Manchester - London - depart 8pm) £20.

But if I just put in that I am travelling from Manchester to London (single), and want to travel at 8pm, it shows that ticket is only £10. So, what's to stop me buying a single from London to Manchester (£10) and a single from Manchester to London (£10)?

The single fare I refer to is for the same time as the return leg of the first journey would've been, so it's not a different train.

Is this possible, or am I missing something? Or is it a case of 'it is possible, but it is frowned upon'?

Thanks in advance.

Crabman

It's allowed, there's also another technique known as split-ticketing - there are full details in the article:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-train-tickets

There are also Virgin advance fares currently starting at about £7 upwards (single) - usually works best if booked in advance. Note the booking date limit (currently 6 Feb 2009) is usually extended:

http://www.mobitix.thetrainline.com/vt/advancePurchase.aspx

omelette451

NotAnExpert wrote: »

But if I just put in that I am travelling from Manchester to London (single), and want to travel at 8pm, it shows that ticket is only £10. So, what's to stop me buying a single from London to Manchester (£10) and a single from Manchester to London (£10)?

Nothing at all. Buy whatever is cheapest.

Is this possible, or am I missing something? Or is it a case of 'it is possible, but it is frowned upon'?

No it's not frowned upon, it's something the train companies themselves advertise and tell people to do. The reason is that they started offering such a wide variety of different fares for journeys and wanted people to be able to 'chop and change' between different fare types. For example, if you want to go one way in peak time and the other way off peak, in the past you had to have a full fare peak return but now you can just get the cheapest single fare for each of the journeys.

The important thing to note, however, is that if you do get a fare labelled 'Advance' you will only be able to travel on the train you booked.

NotAnExpert_3

Thanks for your responses, omelette451 and Crabman

I had read about the 'ticket-splitting' thing, but that isn't what I was referring to. Sorry for the confusion. What I meant was that, I've found a return ticket for £30, broken down into £10 outgoing, and £20 return.

Let's say the return journey (£20) is on Train X at 8.19pm. However, I have then done a single fare check for that exact same leg (Train X at 8.19pm), and it is only £10.

So, I'd be better off buying a single outgoing (£10) ticket, and a single return (£10) ticket, instead of a return ticket (£30). I was just wondering why would they sell that SAME 'seat' for £20 as one leg of a return, but £10 as a single fare.

omelette451, I think you answered my question anyway - I was just clarifying for others who might be confused.

And, yes, the ticket was an Advanced ticket. That doesn't change things, does it? I mean, if I'm still willing to catch that same train (eg, Train X at 8.19pm), it is still possible to take 2 single fares, right?

Thanks again

Garetha

If you use the Nation Rail website http://nationalrail.co.uk/
it offers you 2 single or a return fare price, so you can compare them on the same page.
I've also noticed that the 1st class fare is sometimes the same as 2nd.:cool:

omelette451

NotAnExpert wrote: »

And, yes, the ticket was an Advanced ticket. That doesn't change things, does it? I mean, if I'm still willing to catch that same train (eg, Train X at 8.19pm), it is still possible to take 2 single fares, right?

Yes that's right, and no, an Advance ticket doesn't change anything. I am as baffled as you by the discrepancy between fares; my only theory is that there might be an error in the booking system somewhere. My advice is still to book the cheapest option and to abandon any hope you still have of ever understanding the rail fares system.