Travelling from Margate to London tomorrow

AdamantUK

Also, additional thanks to those that mentioned the network railcard.

I do this route about once a month on business in addition to this personal trip and hadn't even looked at railcards.

Looking at it now seems like the card will almost cover it's cost today and, with my frequent trips, will definitely pay for itself over and again in the coming year!

Livingthedream

Just remember the network railcard can't be used before 10:00 Monday to Friday, details here

AdamantUK

I just saw that, why can't they just keep restrictions the same and say it only applies to off-peak tickets or something?! I'm sure the UK Train Ticketing system is just designed to confuse me....

Anyway, the trains from Margate are at 53 minutes past the hour which would be annoying to wait till 10:53 so going to drive the 5 miles to Ramsgate station where they're 3 minutes past the hour and get the 10:03

Even better is that I can justify buying the railcard on expenses due to all the other business trips that I'll now be saving money on so pure savings already!

Livingthedream

AdamantUK wrote: »

I just saw that, why can't they just keep restrictions the same and say it only applies to off-peak tickets or something?! I'm sure the UK Train Ticketing system is just designed to confuse me....

This restriction applies to Off Peak and Super Off Peak tickets only it doesn't effect Advance tickets, however, as Birmingham is outside of the Network area no discount will be given on the normal advance ticket price.

AdamantUK wrote: »

Anyway, the trains from Margate are at 53 minutes past the hour which would be annoying to wait till 10:53 so going to drive the 5 miles to Ramsgate station where they're 3 minutes past the hour and get the 10:03

If you're using advance tickets to Birmingham it won't make any difference where you start, just keep to the ticket itinerary.

AdamantUK wrote: »

Even better is that I can justify buying the railcard on expenses due to all the other business trips that I'll now be saving money on so pure savings already!

Well if you can get one on expenses (free) then that is proper money saving, however, just remember it will be worthless for advance tickets to Birmingham.

yorkie2

Tylerama1 wrote: »

I'd be very surprised if he can get away with that on HS1, I hope so though !

Out of interest, can you confirm that you are posting your own personal thoughts, not based on any knowledge of the actual rules & regulations for railway ticketing, and not in any way actually providing advice or information regarding the validity of tickets?

To the OP: any inspector can ask to see the reservation coupon(s) and check if you are using the ticket in accordance with the T&Cs. If this check is performed, and it is discovered you could not have got your booked train, you are liable to be charged for a new ticket for your actual journey at the full Anytime rate with no Railcard discounts.

As you have posted your intent to make this journey on a publicly accessible site, it is possible that guards may specifically ask to see coupons on such tickets in order to catch you out.

Guards do read sites like this too, you know! Doing this is not valid. You may get away with it but we shouldn't be encouraging breaching T&Cs, and broadcasting your intent to breach T&Cs is unwise. It could even result in prosecution for intent to avoid the correct fare, though I will admit that is unlikely, it is possible.

yorkie2

AdamantUK wrote: »

I just saw that, why can't they just keep restrictions the same and say it only applies to off-peak tickets or something?! I'm sure the UK Train Ticketing system is just designed to confuse me....

For Advance tickets, the rules are the same; booked train only (and appropriate connecting trains, where applicable).

For Off Peak tickets, it varies depending on the origin and destination. I would not recommend this was changed to make them the same. For example Margate to London is restricted in the morning peak, but Margate to York is unrestricted between Margate and York. If you made the restrictions 'the same' for all tickets you would actually create more problems and increase fares for many people, for no reasonable reason.