Fare difference or new ticket

[Bazball]

Hi folks,
I have a regular train which I get back from London to my home town whenever I'm in the office. To the extent that I almost always buy an Advance ticket for that specific train ahead of time to save money.

If I miss that train or want to get a different one, am I allowed to board and then pay the fare difference between the Advance and a Single if demanded? Or would I need to buy a new ticket entirely?

Thanks

 

[jfollows]

You need a new ticket, the advance ticket you hold has no value on a different train. And make sure you buy your new ticket before boarding a different train, because if you don’t you could be reported for travelling without a ticket.

If you know in advance you may be able to change your advance ticket, probably for a fee as well as the cost difference between old and new tickets.

 

[AlterEgo]

An Advance ticket has no value once the original train is missed, so you'd need to buy a new ticket.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Before the booked departure you can change your Advance though this will incur a fee plus fare difference, you can shop around for sites/apps that charge less or nothing as a fee. You must do this before boarding or you would be treated as if you had no ticket at all.

After booked departure the ticket has no value so again if you boarded with it you would be treated as if you had no ticket.

 

[Bazball]

You need a new ticket, the advance ticket you hold has no value on a different train. And make sure you buy your new ticket before boarding a different train, because if you don’t you could be reported for travelling without a ticket.

If you know in advance you may be able to change your advance ticket, probably for a fee as well as the cost difference between old and new tickets.

Thank you! To double check, this is a different situation to having - for example - an off peak ticket and travelling on a peak time train (same day), where you just have to pay fare difference?

 

[jfollows]

Thank you! To double check, this is a different situation to having - for example - an off peak ticket and travelling on a peak time train (same day), where you just have to pay fare difference?

Correct, that’s allowed (having an off-peak ticket but travelling during the peak period, that is), although sometimes badly trained (Northern) staff incorrectly issue penalty fares, but that’s a digression, what you’re saying is correct.

 

[Haywain]

An Advance ticket has no value once the original train is missed, so you'd need to buy a new ticket.

Or of you board a service of a different train operator.