Birmingham - Liverpool via Chester

[bairy]

Me and gf are looking to go from Birmingham Liverpool, stopping at Chester on the way. Then returning 2 days later not via Chester, with Two Together railcard.

I can go via singles for £39.50, however ideally looking for off peak open returns for more flexible times.

Searching for Birmingham - Liverpool stations via Chester, It's offering a off-peak open return for £49.50 which is fine, however since I don't wanna come back via Chester, would it be valid to go directly LIV - BHM?

The only restriction noted is "Via Crewe" which LIV - BHM does call at.

 

[bb21]

Yes, between Crewe and Liverpool you can go either way.

 

[bairy]

That's what I thought. Thank you for confirmation.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Won't you fall foul of the Break of Journey rules at Chester if your stay is 2 days?
You have to restart your outward journey on the 2nd day to qualify (wouldn't matter on the return).
Chester-Liverpool is £4.50 single each with a railcard if you have to pay extra.

 

[gray1404]

There is a also a Super Off Peak Return on that route which is cheaper and valid on services timed to arrive in either Liverpool or Birmingham from 13:00 onwards and not valid on departures between 16:30 and 19.30. These time restrictions apply in both directions.

Regarding breaking your jourey, if you get either an Off Peak Return or a Super Off Peak Return, on the outward leg all travel must be finished by the end of day 2. The first day of travel being day 1. For the return leg it is valid for 1 calendar month and you can break your journey. So, given your plans, if you could do your breaks of journey on the return leg that would work better for you.

Regarding the route, your fine to travel to Chester as long as you change at Crewe. To or from Chester you would get the Merseyrail service to Liverpool. Basically what you are not allowed to do is take a direct service from Chester to Birmingham with Arriva Trains Wales (unless is goes via Crewe).

 

[bairy]

Won't you fall foul of the Break of Journey rules at Chester if your stay is 2 days?

Sorry for not being clear, we're arriving and leaving Chester on day 1.

Regarding breaking your jourey, if you get either an Off Peak Return or a Super Off Peak Return, on the outward leg all travel must be finished by the end of day 2.

I hadn't even considered if you could stretch the OUT over more than one day, I thought it was only the return you could play with. Learnt something there.

Thanks for your post and research, I went with Off Peak.

 

[gray1404]

If your leaving and arriving Chester on day 1 then this all sounds fine with your current plans. I guess the Super Off Peak would be too restrctive as the first train you could get out of BHM is after 11.30am. Note that on the Off Peak Return there are only time restrictions Monday to Friday. The Super Off Peak applies the same restrictions on a Saturday too on this route.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

If your leaving and arriving Chester on day 1 then this all sounds fine with your current plans. I guess the Super Off Peak would be too restrctive as the first train you could get out of BHM is after 11.30am. Note that on the Off Peak Return there are only time restrictions Monday to Friday. The Super Off Peak applies the same restrictions on a Saturday too on this route.

The Super Off Peak (OPR) does not allow break of journey.

 

[gray1404]

The Super Off Peak (OPR) does not allow break of journey.

oh ok, so only the return leg of a Super Off Peak allows a BoJ. Thats quite common for Super Off Peak Returns priced by London Midland. Thankfully it sounds like the OP is getting the Off Peak Return which I am assuming does allow for the BoJ on the outward leg

 

[bairy]

oh ok, so only the return leg of a Super Off Peak allows a BoJ. Thats quite common for Super Off Peak Returns priced by London Midland. Thankfully it sounds like the OP is getting the Off Peak Return which I am assuming does allow for the BoJ on the outward leg

Yeah I got the OP R. The 1130 of the SOP R was the main putoff, didn't know you couldn't BoJ too. Glad that worked out!