Can I extend or do I need an extra ticket

[muug1982]

Hope someone can help me with this.

I've got an anytime return ticket from Luton Airport Parkway to Market Harborough (£39), I'm intending to use the return portion next Wednesday evening, however I now need to start the journey from Harpenden. Do I need to buy a single ticket to cover the extra distance, or can I extend the existing ticket (the price looks the same if I'd have bought it to Harpenden originally).

Does either method restrict where I can change trains?
Are there any evening peak restrictions on the Harpenden - Luton section?

Thanks in advance

 

[mumrar]

You just need to purchase an over-distance excess for the return portion of your ticket as Harpenden-Market Harborough. As it's an anytime ticket there are no time restrictions, and it won't cost you a penny for the supplement as the fares are the same.

You do need to purchase this for travel from Harpenden as the Luton-Market Harborough is not valid from Harpenden. You will need a booking office or on board crew to issue this, booking office is preferred if available.

 

[yorkie]

As Mumrar says! But, in addition...

Does either method restrict where I can change trains?

If you use a combination of tickets then either the train(s) must call at the station you change from one ticket to the next, or the tickets must be zonal, or one must be a season and the other(s) not. So, if you bought a separate ticket to Luton Airport Parkway you would not be allowed on a train that did not call there. (You'll struggle to get a train from Harpenden that goes non-stop through Luton Airport Parkway though! )

Sometimes using a combination of tickets is cheaper, but in this case it isn't.

Are there any evening peak restrictions on the Harpenden - Luton section?

Thanks in advance

on what ticket?

In any case you have an Anytime Return (SOR) which is valid at any time.

If you do this journey again, I would recommend buying to Harpenden (and finish short on your outward), because it saves potential hassle with getting an excess.

A significant minority of ticket office staff do not know how to do excesses, sometimes they admit that, and other times excuses are invented as to why you can't get one.