London - Stoke-on-Trent: Valid Route?

[Keele13]

Hi all,

First post on here, I hope you can help!

I have an advance ticket on a train from Stoke-on-Trent to Exeter St Davids tomorrow evening. My work has now decided that I need to go to London for a meeting. In theory I will be back at Stoke in time to catch my train to Exeter, but there is not much margin for error, and it seems rather silly to go out of my way.

Work will pay for my SOT-LON return, so that’s not an issue, but is it possible to use it to meet my Exeter train either at Birmingham or, I suspect a long shot, Bristol?

Alternatively, if I persuade work to buy a ticket from SOT-EXD via London, can I break my journey for a few hours in London? I’ve had a quick look on National Rail and this actually seems like it might be cheaper than a SOT-LON return, am I correct in thinking that?

I need to be at Euston for 11am at the latest, and I am booked on the 1844 from Stoke to Exeter.

Any suggestions for how I can avoid travelling back to Stoke would be most appreciated!

 

[cuccir]

Work will pay for my SOT-LON return, so that’s not an issue, but is it possible to use it to meet my Exeter train either at Birmingham or, I suspect a long shot, Bristol?

Short answer is no. Advance purchase tickets are only valid at the stations shown on the train shown; you can't join late, break journey, disembark early etc.

Alternatively, if I persuade work to buy a ticket from SOT-EXD via London, can I break my journey for a few hours in London? I’ve had a quick look on National Rail and this actually seems like it might be cheaper than a SOT-LON return, am I correct in thinking that?

Whilst you could in theory break your journey here, there aren't any fares being shown for STO-EXD via London when I've searched and I'd be surprised if its a permitted route (though I've not checked the routing guide to confirm this!)
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So yes, your cheapest bet is probably to buy a STO > LON single, which you can do for:
* £29.90 on the 07:54 from Stoke only (gets in at 10:49). This is a buy on the day fare (Super Off Peak Single London Midland Train Only)
* £45 on the 09:12 in at 10:42, this is advance purchase so you'd need to buy before 16:00 today

For any more felxibility you'd need an Anytime single at £108.50

After that, you can get a LON>EXD singnle for £45.00, valid via Taunton only, on off peak trains only, which still leaves you with a lot of options. So if you don't mind the long journey in the morning, you could do the whole trip for £74.90

Note that this is basic advice - there may be people who know the routes better who can give you some tips on other options!

 

[Keele13]

Thanks - the SOT-EXD via London is indeed two separate tickets - I didn't get as far as the screen on National Rail that told me that.

As I wouldn't be leaving London until after 3pm, it looks like the cheapest option for that is still more expensive than the Exeter journey. Just need to convince my manager of the logic now!