How do you go about finding cheaper ticket splitting fares?
Use Avantix Traveller NFM05.
For instance, do you just pick a station at random en route between your origin and destination and then do fares in and out of this station? Or is a bit more scientific ? How often does this approach work ?
Well, I wouldn't pick one at random. I'd pick one based on suitable calling patterns. e.g. York - London all zones day return is good for splitting at either Newark or Grantham but you'd need to look at the timetable first.
I will quite often look for the 'optimum' ticket(s) that gets the best value, I'd say that it is rare that it is best to buy a simple A to B ticket and get good value, it is better usually to either split or buy beyond your destination.
I don't want to give too many examples of excellent tickets away in one place, so I'll send you a PM
Edit: PM sent
Here's an example of a bad ticket:
Church Fenton to Morecambe SOR £59.30 SVR £46.90
And here's an example of a good ticket:
Micklefield to Morecambe SOR £24.80 SDR £21.10
£25 for Micklefield - Church Fenton eh? You could hire several taxis for that.
Do your research. Know your rights. Get a good deal. Anyone who pays the higher price and realises afterwards would feel like they've been robbed, and rightly so, but sadly there is very little (usually nothing) that can be done after the event. A kind guard may advise a passenger of the above fares however they are
not supposed to, and indeed risk a 'telling off' if found out!
Happy splitting! (but don't forget it's sometimes cheaper to pay to go further!)
