"Any Valid Train" ??

50Twuncle

I have to travel to London (again) in 2 weeks time by train and am booking the tickets - however I see that if I want an "open return" I need to be sure that the return time is using a "VALID train" - what, exactly does this mean ?
I thought that "open" meant "anytime" ?

dzug1

All that 'Open return' means is that you don't specify a particular train for the return journey and hence no reserved seat. You still need to decide whether you want an anytime or off peak ticket.

Buy on the day - it's simpler and you don't risk a cancellation fee if your plans change. The price is the same

50Twuncle

I prefer to get it before hand - but why do these tickets cost so much ?
Also - I don't know the exact return time - I only know the leaving time - how can I pre-book an "Anytime" return ticket without also booking an "Anytime" outwards ticket ?
I am leaving at a cheap time - but, probably, returning at peak time......

dzug1

21Twinkle wrote: »

I prefer to get it before hand - but why do these tickets cost so much ?
Also - I don't know the exact return time - I only know the leaving time - how can I pre-book an "Anytime" return ticket without also booking an "Anytime" outwards ticket ?
I am leaving at a cheap time - but, probably, returning at peak time......

Because they are flexible.

Outward off peak return peak means an anytime ticket. You can't mix and match.

However you MAY find that an off peak single out plus an anytime single for the return is cheaper - not impossible but unlikely though.

goRt

21Twinkle wrote: »

I have to travel to London (again) in 2 weeks time by train and am booking the tickets - however I see that if I want an "open return" I need to be sure that the return time is using a "VALID train" - what, exactly does this mean ?
I thought that "open" meant "anytime" ?

Are you sure this isn't referring to a 'valid route' i.e. you have to go the direct route and not via Scotland or some such?

50Twuncle

So - despite leaving at a cheap rate - if I want to prebook - it is impossible to get a cheaper "anytime" ticket due to the time that I am returning - I am expected to cough up the full peak costs - what a con !!

50Twuncle

goRt wrote: »

Are you sure this isn't referring to a 'valid route' i.e. you have to go the direct route and not via Scotland or some such?

No - it says "VALID TRAIN"

Mark_Hewitt

21Twinkle wrote: »

So - despite leaving at a cheap rate - if I want to prebook - it is impossible to get a cheaper "anytime" ticket due to the time that I am returning - I am expected to cough up the full peak costs - what a con !!

You could get two single tickets instead?