Change single to return ticket

[Halsebee]

When is the latest time a single ticket can be changed to a return ticket if ones plans change? Do you have to change it before starting the journey or could one ask to change it during the journey either on train or at a station where one changes trains for example?

 

[Adam Williams]

I suspect the answer to this in practicality depends purely on the staff you encounter.

I had success getting an X/S issued at arrival at Marylebone (the destination of my outward) once, but I chose not to leave the gateline and went direct to the excess fares window to ask the question. Immediately got set upon by an RPI who was hanging around like a loitering teenager, but the ticket office staff member I managed to speak to once I had proved I had a valid ticket was very helpful. It probably should've been done much earlier.

 

[MrJeeves]

Indeed. In theory, it must be done before the ticket has been used fully.

In practice, it varies wildly, and you will get staff at your origin or enroute who will refuse to do it for a variety of reasons. Or you might get staff at your destination who are happy to do something customer-friendly. Or you might find on board staff happy to do it.

I would be trying at every opportunity I get, in the hope I find someone who (a) knows what I want, (b) knows how to do it, and (c) will do it!

 

[Ziggiesden]

The National Rail Manual states thus:

Changing a Single to a Return

Charge a new Single ticket for the return leg, as if no ticket was held.

It is permitted to charge an excess fare to upgrade a Single ticket into a Return (but not into London Day Travelcards), provided the excess fare is paid before departure. If no ticket office facilities are available, it must be done at the earliest possible opportunity, but before the validity of the Single has expired, or in the case of Advance tickets before the departure time of the first reserved train. View more information on changing Advance Singles.

Charge the difference between the price of the Single ticket and the price of the appropriate Return ticket, bearing in mind the train on which the Single ticket is used with regard to time restrictions applicable to the Return.

It should be noted that when the journey is completed then the Contract has ended for each ticket used, in the case of a Combination of Tickets.

However, as above, if there was no opportunity to buy then we would do the Excess to a Return even though technically the Contract had ended on say another day or a week later.