New to split ticketing - am I correct?

debz65

I'm trying to split ticket a fare from Milton Keynes - Torquay and believe after the help of split your ticket website, I can save myself 24.80 off a 81.60 return fare using the following route below.

The question I have is for each ticket I purchase (whether it is single or a return), do the tickets have to be consistent with the timetable as if I were getting each train? (having trouble trying to explain thta one). Can I get a train that leaves earlier that the one that I am arriving on, even though it is the same line, and I am actually not getting off? hopefully that makes sense.... If I get to Bristol Pkway at 3:56, can I buy a ticket leaving Bristol at 2:29 if it's at a lower price...

MK - BHM 5.50 single x 2
BHM - CNM 8.50 single x 2
CNM - BPW 7.40 return
BW - TAU 10.40 return
TAU - TOR 5.50 single x 2

Thanks for any help or advice you can give me!
Debz

dzug1

It depends on what sort of ticket you have.

If your ticket is an advance single, then it can ONLY be used on the train you buy it for.

If you buy an offpeak single or return, then it can be used on any off peak train during its validity

If you buy an anytime single or return then you can use any train during its validity

There are no advance returns.

Your CNM - BPW is a DAY return (offpeak) by the way - are you really proposing to come back the same day? If not the fare is £14.30 return

If you find yourself in a situation where two different trains are different prices, then either there is differing advance availability or one is peak and the other off peak. In either event you can't use the cheaper ticket on the more expensive train.

debz65

Thanks for your response..just so I understand I am getting it correctly...
The MK - B'ham is an advance single of 5.50 and is a virgin train, and I would get off at B'ham to switch to a cross country train which would be non stop from B'ham to Torquay. The split ticketing would be on the stops on that train, but do I need to make sure they in order of connections??

So could I not purchase a 8.50 advance ticket single from B'ham to Cheltenham if it's on a service from Nottingham to Cardiff, and I'm travelling on the cross country to Torquay.... When I look up the calling points for that 8.50 ticket it is on a different route to the one I am supposedly on, so really I can't use that fare...is that correct?

This is taking longer than I thought now! Would it be easier to go to the ticket office and have them split the tickets for me?

Thanks again!

wealdroam

debz65 wrote: »

Thanks for your response..just so I understand I am getting it correctly...
The MK - B'ham is an advance single of 5.50 and is a virgin train, and I would get off at B'ham to switch to a cross country train which would be non stop from B'ham to Torquay. The split ticketing would be on the stops on that train, but do I need to make sure they in order of connections??

So could I not purchase a 8.50 advance ticket single from B'ham to Cheltenham if it's on a service from Nottingham to Cardiff, and I'm travelling on the cross country to Torquay.... When I look up the calling points for that 8.50 ticket it is on a different route to the one I am supposedly on, so really I can't use that fare...is that correct?

This is taking longer than I thought now! Would it be easier to go to the ticket office and have them split the tickets for me?

Thanks again!

If you tell us when you are travelling, someone may be willing to help you.

Non-stop Birmingham to Torquay... wow!
(but I know what you mean ).

debz65

Thanks!!

Here's the details..
I would be leaving MKC for Torquay on 17 December after 12:00 but don't want to get to Torquay after 7pm and return on Wednesday 22 December leaving TOR anytime after 10am.

I've got the split routes....it's just getting the fares and making sure it's on the right route... The normal fare is return at 81.60, and I can't manage that but have to go and visit my sick friend....cheers anyone!!!! :j
MKC - BHM
BHM - CNM
CNM - BPW
BPW - TAU
TAU - TOR

Livingthedream

wealdroam wrote: »

If you tell us when you are travelling, someone may be willing to help you.

wealdroam, you can get the details here

dzug1

debz65 wrote: »

Thanks for your response..just so I understand I am getting it correctly...
The MK - B'ham is an advance single of 5.50 and is a virgin train, and I would get off at B'ham to switch to a cross country train which would be non stop from B'ham to Torquay. The split ticketing would be on the stops on that train, but do I need to make sure they in order of connections??

So could I not purchase a 8.50 advance ticket single from B'ham to Cheltenham if it's on a service from Nottingham to Cardiff, and I'm travelling on the cross country to Torquay.... When I look up the calling points for that 8.50 ticket it is on a different route to the one I am supposedly on, so really I can't use that fare...is that correct?

This is taking longer than I thought now! Would it be easier to go to the ticket office and have them split the tickets for me?

Thanks again!

Any part of the journey that uses an advance single can ONLY be made on the train that it is sold for. That train and that train only.

So if your £8.50 ticket is on a Nottingham Cardiff train you would have to get off at Cheltenham and get the next train to Bristol. Which will probably have come from Birmingham.....

wealdroam

Livingthedream wrote: »

wealdroam wrote: »

If you tell us when you are travelling, someone may be willing to help you.

wealdroam, you can get the details here

Thanks Livingthedream.
Didn't realise I had to search the world wide web for an answer. :rotfl:

Debz, yes it is hard work.
If you like a particular route, via Birmingham, you may need to pay more for that 'restriction'.

Have you considered Megatrain between Waterloo and Exeter St Davids? An Off Peak Return from Exeter StD to Torquay is only £9.80.

At the other end, an Off Peak Return from MK to Waterloo via Clapham Junction is only £19.00.

dzug1

Also in your original post debs the BPW-Taunton fare you quote is a day return - it's £16.40 for a period return

The flexible £80 odd return begins to look more attractive - for roughly an extra tenner you don't have to worry about what trains to get. It sounds as though you are struggling to understand advance fares anyway.

Livingthedream

wealdroam wrote: »

Thanks Livingthedream.
Didn't realise I had to search the world wide web for an answer. :rotfl:

Nah! you didn't have to look far for the other thread. I didn't realise that there was 2 threads until I posted on the other, so thought I'd make a link on this thread to the other, to help other posters.

It also saved you waiting for the OP to reply. :beer:

debz65

yep....maybe I should get the flexible 80 pound return after all....thanks all for contributing and helping me out.

I thought I did understand the advance fares.......