Drastically different fares in different directions

[Dirty_Mac]

I know that depending on the direction, a ticket may have different peak restrictions or some tickets may not exist at all. However, looking at tickets between London and Hove, there are vastly more options towards London than from, with there being tickets to London Victoria but not from VIC. Incredibly, the anytime day single to London is cheaper than the off-peak day single away! Does anyone know why there's such a discrepancy?

 

[island]

Many fares are set in line with the market/supply and demand. If instead of Hove you look at fares between Victoria and High Brooms, you will find an anytime day return costing £30.80 from London but £47.90 towards London.

 

[Ken X]

I found this whilst working nights at the Royal Opera House many years ago. Cheaper to buy a Waterloo to Horsham return ticket than Horsham to Waterloo. I assumed at the time it was down to supply /demand.

 

[infobleep]

I know that depending on the direction, a ticket may have different peak restrictions or some tickets may not exist at all. However, looking at tickets between London and Hove, there are vastly more options towards London than from, with there being tickets to London Victoria but not from VIC. Incredibly, the anytime day single to London is cheaper than the off-peak day single away! Does anyone know why there's such a discrepancy?

Probably some anomaly that hasn't been spotted as usually to a more popular city or town is more expensive than away from it.

So London to Portsmouth is cheaper than Portsmouth to London. Or it use to be at least. I've not checked lately.