Fare Qu Hemel - Manchester

[Pumbaa]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to the new simple ticket buying system, I am able to buy my tickets for a journey from Hemel to Manchester with complete confidence and ease...

My confidence and ease is split down into 3 hard to understand and completely illogical questions below:

a) I need to be in Manchester for 1215, which means arriving by 1200 at the latest for my rendezvous. This means travelling on the 0935 from Euston, which I understand to be off-peak, but travelling into Euston beforehand is Peak yes?

b) Travelling into Euston on an Anytime Return should cost £9.70 with a 16-25 according to Avantix. But it also says £16 minimum fare applies. Is this the stupid peak supplement thingy that restricts use of 16-25?

c) If it's quicker and easier for me on the way back, can I travel from Manchester to either a) Crewe to pick up a Watford stop train from there, b) travel to Warrington to pick up a Watford stop train or c) travel via Birmingham New Street to do the same on an Off-Peak Return London - Manchester stations?

Thanks for your help in advance in helping me understand this already easy to use and understand system

 

[me123]

Hi! Simplification, as you have guessed, hasn't really made anything simpler in this respect

a) Yes, the off-peak fares from Hemel-London aren't available until 10am. So to get to Euston, you have to pay an "Anytime" fare.
b) The £16 minimum fare has always existed on the railcard. It is applicable before 10am Mon-Fri, except Bank Holidays and in the months of July and August.
c) Your three routeing queries:

a) Yes.
b) Yes
c) This route is not valid: you can only travel Manchester-Hemel on maps GM+MA, and travel is therefore not valid via Birmingham. However, travel is permitted through London.

Of course, if you have Advance tickets, you must stick to the route outlined on your ticket.

 

[Pumbaa]

Of course, if you have Advance tickets, you must stick to the route outlined on your ticket.

Thankfully not Cheers!