Hemel Hempstead to Wick: Does it have to be done in a day?

[PeterY]

I'm now thinking about doing the Far North lines in May. I prefer to travel in daylight. Looking at National Rail Enquires, I can leave Hemel Hempstead at 08.36 and arrive in Wick at 22.52. Is it allowed to stop overnight in Inverness and continue to Wick the following day?

Using the BoJ rules on the way back I intend to cover the Kyle of Lochalsh line and maybe stop in Glasgow and Manchester.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I can leave Hemel Hempstead at 08.36 and arrive in Wick at 22.52. Is it allowed to stop overnight in Inverness and continue to Wick the following day?

Difficult, albeit not impossible, to do this end-to-end journey in just the one day unless departing Hemel Hempstead quite early.

Question:- Does the OP have to get the very first service of the following day from Inverness up to Wick (normally the 0700 departure) or is one of the later services on the Far North Line the same day permitted?

Think we had a similar query recently with regard to someone travelling on the sleeper from England to Fort William/Mallaig.

 

[AlterEgo]

Difficult, albeit not impossible, to do this end-to-end journey in just the one day unless departing Hemel Hempstead quite early.

Question:- Does the OP have to get the very first service of the following day from Inverness up to Wick (normally the 0700 departure) or is one of the later services on the Far North Line the same day permitted?

There is nothing in writing to mandate this, no. As always the mantra is "don't take the mickey"!

 

[Meglos]

If you travel near the summer equinox in June, then Sunset in Wick is at around 22:25, and it doesn't actually get dark until 23:45.

 

[gray1404]

Totally permissable to finish off your journey the following day on the outward portion. Start your journey at a time of your choosing on day 1, break it overnight at a time of your choosing and recommence on day 2 at a time of your choosing.

You do not need to start early on either day and you do not need to travel as far as possible before you can break your journey.

 

[Ediswan]

If you travel near the summer equinox in June, then Sunset in Wick is at around 22:25, and it doesn't actually get dark until 23:45.

Solstice.

 

[Meglos]

Solstice - Obviously.

 

[Merseysider]

It may be worth considering Advance tickets in one or both directions.

For example, the LNER Chieftain on Wednesday 4th May is £44.50 / £101.50 STD/1ST with the following Saturday being almost identical in price, departing London 12:00 and arriving Inverness 20:07.

You’d then need a separate ticket to Wick the following day, which Scotrail will most likely flog at £14 if booked in advance.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Which ticket are you using? The route NOT LONDON SVR has an outward break of journey restriction, which could cause issues if you didn't "get stuck" on the last arrival and proceed on the first the next day.

 

[PG]

Which ticket are you using? The route NOT LONDON SVR has an outward break of journey restriction, which could cause issues if you didn't "get stuck" on the last arrival and proceed on the first the next day.

If you're referring to restriction 5F there is no mention at all of being able to resume the journey on the following day.
I'd defer to our more knowledgeable members to confirm or deny if you can definitely continue on the following day if you became "stuck" when using that ticket

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you're referring to restriction 5F there is no mention at all of being able to resume the journey on the following day.
I'd defer to our more knowledgeable members to confirm or deny if you can definitely continue on the following day if you became "stuck" when using that ticket

If you arrive on the last train and leave on the first you have not broken your journey, you have made a connection, arguably? But it would have to be last and first.

(It's a shame BoJ is no longer defined in writing)

 

[robbeech]

The Super Off Peak Any permitted would still be valid to leave North but not until shortly before 0900 as there is a Milton Keynes departure restriction at 0900. I assume however that they either want to double back at Euston for a Glasgow service or travel cross London to King's Cross which would rule that ticket out until later in the morning. It is £25 more expensive than the NOT VIA LONDON SVR, but on a £200 ish ticket it isn't a huge percentage i guess.

 

[Hadders]

The outward portion of an off peak return is actually valid until 04:29 on day three. I would not expect a hassle free journey in most areas of the country but the Far North Line is one area where things are more relaxed and I would not expect hassle. A few years ago used an Anytime Day Single from Belfast to Kyle of Lochalsh to complete my journey on day 2. I experienced absolutely no hassle whatsoever on the Kyle Line. There's a trip report about it on here somewhere.