Break In Train Journey

[Maydup]

If I were to buy a return ticket from London to say Newcastle, then travel up, stay a few days, could I hop off on the way back at the various stations on route? eg take a local train to Durham, York, or Newark for example and maybe stay a night or two at one or other of them?

It would be the same route as going up but a break of journey. Assuming an open off peak return.

[Buenchico]

'Break of journey' rules are a nighmare to understand. I'd often got asked about them when I was a railway station supervisor and I usually had to check with the manager of the ticket office (which was an autonomous department). However the information from the ticket office staff often conflicted with the rules that train conductors said they had to follow. (Before anyone here blames privatisation, I'll point out the rules were inherited from British Rail!).

My own understanding of the rules is that the return portion of a single ticket must be used on a single day (but with trains running after midnight, up until 0429, still counting as part of that day's service). Further, a break of journey is usually allowed but not on some specific routes or at some specific stations. To complicate matters further, our ticket office staff always said that there was no time restriction upon the break of a journey (subject to completing the journey on the same day) but many of our ex-BR conductors maintained that such a break couldn't exceed two hours!

The National Rail website doesn't make things much clearer either. It doesn't mention having to complete a return journey within a day (but I remain reasonably confident that such a rule exists). Further, it basically says that you need to check the rules for your particular plans (about breaking your journey) to find out whether they're actually permitted or not:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46590.aspx

While that link tells you to phone the National Rail Enquiries Service, I doubt that most Serco staff (who handle the calls) could give you a definitive answer. I'd recommend asking at the booking office of a larger railway station (where platform staff don't also man the booking office, as they do at some smaller stations) to check the rules. If I've remembered your location correctly, Maydup, that will mean Norwich.

[Maydup]

Thanks Chris, all very complicated and ambiguous I see. We will need to decide on the specific plans and ask at the mainline station, they are very helpful in there.

However you have answered my suspicions that if we want to stay a night anywhere on the way back we will probably need to purchase stepped returns.

[dzug2]

There's no such thing as the return portion of a single ticket - by definition it's one way - and yes the rules are as stated by Chris

The return portion of a return ticket is always valid for breaks of journey. multiple if needed and overnight if needed, during its validity - normally one month. Problem come if staff don't know this and make up rules they only half understood in the first place

[Buenchico]

>>>The return portion of a return ticket is always valid for breaks of journey

Are you sure, Dzug?

From my link above:
"You may start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station along the route of travel on Off-Peak tickets unless the ticket restriction for the journey you are making does not allow it. If you intend to start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station, please call 08457 48 49 50 to check if it is available on your specific journey"

[Buenchico]

As an aside, Maydup, I'll point out that lots of Ranger and Rover tickets available that rail companies rarely advertise. (For example, if you went to Norwich station I'd be surprised if you saw any posters or leaflets telling you about the excellent Anglia One Day Plus, or Three Day Plus, tickets).

A Freedom of the North East Rover gives you unlimited travel throughout this area
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/promotions/Freedom_of_North_East.pdf
for either 7 days or any 4 days of your choice during an 8 day period.
A 7-day ticket costs £106.00 (or £69.95 with a Railcard). A 4-in-8-day ticket costs £92.00 (or £60.75 with a Railcard). The only restriction is that travel has to be after 0845 during the week. (Any time at weekends or bank holidays).

So, if' you're thinking of exploring that area anyway, it might be worth buying a return ticket to somewhere at the south-eastern corner of the map and then using a Rover ticket for the rest of your travels.

There's a full list of Rangers and Rovers here:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/rangers_and_rovers.aspx

[dzug2]

On the return journey - yes I'm sure. There are only a handful of exceptions

It's the outward journey that's the problem - some trips allow a break of journey, some not

[Maydup]

There's an idea Chris, the rover ticket. I might look to see if there's an equivalent in the West Country if we decide to head that way instead. Exeter/Plymouth way maybe.

I'll ask at the station dzug, I'd like to believe that if the ticket is valid for a month, that we could work our way back over a series of days.

[Buenchico]

>>>I might look to see if there's an equivalent in the West Country if we decide to head that way instead. Exeter/Plymouth way maybe

See the following from my link above:
Devon Day / Evening Ranger
Freedom of Devon & Cornwall Rover - 3 in 7 Days
Freedom of Devon & Cornwall Rover - 8 in 15 Days
Freedom of the South West 3 in 7 Day Rover
Freedom of the South West 8 in 15 Day Rover

[Maydup]

Perfect, thanks Chris