Correcting a potential 'Short Stop'

[RailAirUser]

Hello everyone...
First time post so apologies if I am putting this in the wrong place!
I have booked Penzance-Reading-Feltham on an advance ticket as a means of getting to Heathrow T5 (fares to Feltham were considerably cheaper than going via Hayes Harlington etc).
However looking at Uber options and bus times, I think in hindsight I should have booked to Staines rather than Feltham. As it would be cost prohibitive to re book Penzance-Reading-Staines given the advance ticket I have would not be refunded, what is the best way for me to correct this so I am not penalised for short stopping when I get off at Staines rather than the following stop at Feltham? Just buy an Egham to Staines cheap ticket to get through the barrier?
Many thanks

 

[Surreytraveller]

The industry guidance to passengers starting or finishing short on a restricted ticket is just to let them, on condition they're not doing it to avoid a more expensive fare.
Strictly speaking, you'd need a ticket from wherever the train you're alighting from last stopped, or a ticket from Feltham (where your ticket's valid to)

 

[RailAirUser]

Super, thanks. Might just chance it then - and if there is any issue on the day Ill just quickly buy a single from Egham to Staines to get me through...

 

[JonathanH]

Super, thanks. Might just chance it then - and if there is any issue on the day Ill just quickly buy a single from Egham to Staines to get me through...

There is the possibility that buying an e-ticket on arrival at Staines or one not scanned in at a station with barriers (Egham) could land you in difficulties, based on some other experiences posted elsewhere.

Feltham has frequent bus services to the various Heathrow terminals.

 

[DeverseSam]

The max amendment fee is £10 which is peanuts compared to a long distance ticket.

The forum ticket site charges £5

 

[Merseysider]

The max amendment fee is £10 which is peanuts compared to a long distance ticket.

The forum ticket site charges £5

Aye, but afaik the origin and destination need to stay the same if making a change online.

Contacting customer service and asking if they’ll refund the original if the new ticket is bought may be worth a shot.

 

[30907]

NRE suggest Longcross has no gates.
Alternatively, get off at Feltham and double-back (using the gates!)

 

[RailAirUser]

Aye, but afaik the origin and destination need to stay the same if making a change online.

Contacting customer service and asking if they’ll refund the original if the new ticket is bought may be worth a shot.

Oooh is this actually possible that customer service could use discretion and let me re book the correct route? I booked with Uber if that makes any difference…

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2024 ==

NRE suggest Longcross has no gates.
Alternatively, get off at Feltham and double-back (using the gates!)

By longcross do you mean Staines? And what is NRE excuse my ignorance…

 

[JonathanH]

By longcross do you mean Staines? And what is NRE excuse my ignorance…

NRE is National Rail Enquires

The point being made is that Virginia Water and Egham both have ticket gates, as does Staines, such that Longcross is the nearest station on the line between Reading and Staines which doesn't have ticket gates.

 

[RailAirUser]

NRE is National Rail Enquires

The point being made is that Virginia Water and Egham both have ticket gates, as does Staines, such that Longcross is the nearest station on the line between Reading and Staines which doesn't have ticket gates.

Ahhh gotcha! Thanks

 

[Hadders]

I'd stick with Feltham, as far as I know the bus service from there to the airport is superior to Staines.

 

[AlterEgo]

I’d also stick with Feltham, I’ve used the bus to the airport several times. It’s fine.

 

[Watershed]

I'd stick with Feltham, as far as I know the bus service from there to the airport is superior to Staines.

If, like the OP, you're heading to T5 from the west, it's quicker to take the Caroline's minibus from Staines if one is due, as it takes the direct route through the middle of the reservoirs.

 

[RailAirUser]

If, like the OP, you're heading to T5 from the west, it's quicker to take the Caroline's minibus from Staines if one is due, as it takes the direct route through the middle of the reservoirs.

Thanks for that tip

 

[Starmill]

You can also change off the bus from Feltham at Hatton Cross if you like, and avail of the free travel by the Piccadilly line to Terminal 5. This of course adds yet another change into your journey so I can appreciate it might not be that attractive, and the more direct bus from Staines could still save you 10 minutes or so depending on exactly what time you end up arriving.

 

[Watershed]

Thanks for that tip

Whoops, meant Carlone's - autocorrect! Here is the timetable - the fast X442 runs every 30 mins for most of the day, leaving Staines railway station at xx05 and xx35 each hour. For some reason they don't participate in the £2 bus cap, but it's only £3 single.

 

[sh24]

Stick with Feltham.

 

[RailAirUser]

You can also change off the bus from Feltham at Hatton Cross if you like, and avail of the free travel by the Piccadilly line to Terminal 5. This of course adds yet another change into your journey so I can appreciate it might not be that attractive, and the more direct bus from Staines could still save you 10 minutes or so depending on exactly what time you end up arriving.

Thanks.

I am travelling with a neurodiverse 9 year old so I think I just need to get there in the most straightforward fashion! Staines to Heathrow on the X442 seems to be the way to go - I will purchase another local ticket to make sure I don't have any problems with getting off at Staines. a few £ for Feltham to Staines seems a good safety net!

 

[Starmill]

Thanks.

I am travelling with a neurodiverse 9 year old so I think I just need to get there in the most straightforward fashion! Staines to Heathrow on the X442 seems to be the way to go - I will purchase another local ticket to make sure I don't have any problems with getting off at Staines. a few £ for Feltham to Staines seems a good safety net!

Of course.

For future journeys, for simplicity, it's always an option to use Railair from Reading. This is direct to Heathrow and there's even a waiting room for the bus in the railway station at Reading. Of course, the Railair coach isn't exactly bargain price but it isn't terrible, and this would reduce the number of changes you need.

 

[DeverseSam]

There is the possibility that buying an e-ticket on arrival at Staines or one not scanned in at a station with barriers (Egham) could land you in difficulties, based on some other experiences posted elsewhere.

Is it also possible that someone using a paper ticket from Feltham to Staines is a red flag because Oyster would be cheaper? à la Wembley Stadium

 

[JonathanH]

Is it also possible that someone using a paper ticket from Feltham to Staines is a red flag because Oyster would be cheaper? à la Wembley Stadium

Oyster isn't valid at Staines.

 

[gray1404]

Personally I would see if the barrier staff will let you out at Reading. If so get the railair bus from there.

 

[zero]

Personally I would see if the barrier staff will let you out at Reading. If so get the railair bus from there.

If it's a e-ticket it should open the barriers despite being an advance, not sure if the same will happen with paper tickets. But if you don't go back in later, some sort of future audit might pick up this behaviour - I suppose it's unlikely to be an issue unless done regularly