Same journey - different prices

daveyjp

Its called split ticketing and the Trainsplit app has been devised to take full advantage of the UK rail ticketing anomalies.

martindow

Trainline is best avoided as it charges a fee in addition to the cost of the tickets unless you are buying for the same day - someone has to pay for their advertising!

Try something like Trainsplit - you will probably find a whole range of fares. Are you eligible for a Railcard? This would pay for itself after a few journeys.

bubieyehyeh

Rail tickets are full of such oddities.

I regularly buy a anytime ticket from A to C changing at B, to travel from A to B because it's cheaper than the A to B ticket, and I'm aware of a couple other similar tickets.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82169972#Comment_82169972

Is your ticket checked when you exit at B? I would have thought that this was not a valid ticket.

Ticket prices are broadly based on the mileage covered, but on more popular destinations there is also pricing that reflects this.

This type of 'hack' is far more obvious (and lucrative) in the domestic flight market in the US where it is known as 'skiplagging'. You might, for example, want to travel from New York to Charlotte. You buy a ticket from New York to Atlanta with a layover in Charlotte, and you leave the airport during the Charlotte layover instead of getting on the flight to Atlanta. The NY - Atlanta fare is cheaper because of competition on that popular route.

No laws are broken but it violates the Terms of Carriage of the airlines and they can take the huff.

bubieyehyeh

Yes it's a anytime ticket that allows break of journey, so ticket operates the barriers at B.

RobM99

@LukeB_92 Thanks. Point 1 - as you say, yes it did stop at London Bridge. Point 2 - good point there. It wasn't a commute, just a one-off for football (unless we play Three Bridges again!). And 3 points for Lewes FC!

RobM99

Oh and - Basildon to Brighton £32.95. Basildon to Lewes via Brighton - £32.95.

Yes I do have a railcard, saved a lot using it.

RobM99

Basildon to East Dulwich via London Bridge - cheaper than London Bridge alone.

Shouldn't have to trawl through different combinations.