Trainline help

[DumfriesPolice]

Hello

I need help buying a ticket on trainline (or anywhere else you can recommend).
Details: Day 1 Manchester Piccadilly to Shrewsbury (no problem!)
Day 2 Shrewsbury return to Manchester. However, we need to stop at Whitchurch on the way for a few hours then get back on the train to Manchester.

I have used the VIA tool on Trainline but it assumes I want to go VIA Whitchurch on both journeys, we only want to go on the return.

We can get an open return but the price goes exorbitant.

We can get singles but again the price goes up.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Adam Williams]

I have used the VIA tool on Trainline but it assumes I want to go VIA Whitchurch on both journeys, we only want to go on the return.

The forum's ticketing site lets you specify via points that differ on the outward and return. Just click the little cog in the journey planner UI:

Then de-select Use same options for return:

 

[DumfriesPolice]

The forum's ticketing site lets you specify via points that differ on the outward and return.

OK Thanks I will give it a try.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Off Peak Return (Manchester Stns --> Shrewsbury - route NOT Wolverhampton) should be £43.10 before any applicable Railcard discount. Valid for break of journey at Whitchurch (Shropshire) on the return journey. Fairly flexible, no time restrictions, and don't need to be on a train that actually calls at Whitchurch on the outward leg.

 

[DumfriesPolice]

Off Peak Return (Manchester Stns --> Shrewsbury - route NOT Wolverhampton) should be £43.10 before any applicable Railcard discount. Valid for break of journey at Whitchurch (Shropshire) on the return journey. Fairly flexible, no time restrictions, and don't need to be on a train that actually calls at Whitchurch on the outward leg.

That's a great tip. Thank you!

 

[Watershed]

Off Peak Return (Manchester Stns --> Shrewsbury - route NOT Wolverhampton) should be £43.10 before any applicable Railcard discount. Valid for break of journey at Whitchurch (Shropshire) on the return journey. Fairly flexible, no time restrictions, and don't need to be on a train that actually calls at Whitchurch on the outward leg.

In theory there is a break of journey (BoJ) restriction on both portions of this ticket.

However, in practice I understand this restriction is effectively overlooked (insofar as staff are even aware of it applying to the return portion) as long as you continue your journey the same day as you have broken it.

Even if you were 'pulled up' on it, the penalty under the National Rail Conditions of Travel (NRCoT) for breaking your journey where not permitted to do so, is to be charged the difference to the cheapest fare that permits BoJ. This would be the slightly more expensive £53.20 Off-Peak Return routed "Any Permitted", so an excess of £10.10 - not ideal, but hardly the end of the world.