Off Peak Restrictions Query

[J663738]

I bought an Off Peak Return ticket a while ago from Cardiff to Weston-Super-Mare. I'm well aware that Off Peak can't be used during the morning period. But when I wanted to return, I thought I wonder does Bristol Temple Meads have an evening restriction like London and Birmingham? I checked and checked on line but just seem to go around in circles, no where could I find a definitive answer.
In the end I caught a bus from Weston, which I knew would get me back into Bristol well after 7pm and avoid any potential penalty fare.

My question is, are off peak restriction times for major stations listed anywhere, especially for journey's between 4pm to 7pm ?

 

[jfollows]

An off peak day return Cardiff to Weston has restriction code W4

Ticket Restriction W4 | National Rail

Ticket restriction details W4. Each train ticket restriction code states when and/or on what train(s) the ticket is not valid and the days and/or dates that these restrictions apply.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Restrictions​

Applicable Days​

Monday to Friday
Mondays to Fridays

Outward Travel​

Outward Travel
Not valid on trains timed to depart after 04:29 and before 08:44.

Return Travel​

Return Travel
Not valid on trains timed to depart after 04:29 and before 08:44.

You can look up any restriction code, which will be on the ticket, in the same way.

If this was the ticket you held, then there were no restrictions for your return journey in the afternoon or evening.

Important: the restrictions that apply are determined by the ticket you hold, not by the location. There are no off-peak restrictions for any stations. However, some of the off-peak tickets from those stations might have restrictions.

 

[Djgr]

Off peak restrictions vary by ticket type rather than by station alone.

You should be able to find the relevant code on your ticket (in your case W4) and go online to identify any restrictions associated with the code.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Believe Cardiff (Central) to Weston Super Mare return tickets are only available as Anytime Returns, Anytime Day Returns and Off Peak Day Returns.

There isn't an Off Peak Return, as such.

The Off Peak Day Return isn't valid 0430–0843 in either direction, as @jfollows has helpfully pointed out, other than, of course, at weekends or on Bank Holidays.

 

[J663738]

There are no off-peak restrictions for any stations. However, some of the off-peak tickets from those stations might have restrictions.

No wonder people find UK ticketing rules complex.


Yes it was an Off Peak day return, I didn't see any codes on it, but will know for next time.

So you are saying if the restriction is not printed on the ticket, then its ok

 

[jfollows]

My recent off peak tickets actually say such as

See restrictions nre.co.uk/B1

but “anytime” tickets don’t, for reasonably obvious reasons I hope.

Older tickets say things like

Validity 2C

AS ADVERTISED

but it’s been there in some way for a long time.

You can also look up fares and associated restriction codes at, for example, https://www.brfares.com/!expert?orig=CDF&dest=WSM&period=20250608

 

[J663738]

I have found another ticket to Swindon I travelled yesterday and now do see the W(2) code.
It also has 'Valid only via Newport', since it doesn't say which Newport, could I go via Essex!

Ticket Restriction W2 | National Rail

Ticket restriction details W2. Each train ticket restriction code states when and/or on what train(s) the ticket is not valid and the days and/or dates that these restrictions apply.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Tried to edit the url to see all the different types of restrictions, but get a 404 error. Why are they hidden?

To be very honest I never paid much attention to it as the web address was nre.co.uk which I did not recognise.

Thanks!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I have found another ticket to Swindon I travelled yesterday and now do see the W(2) code.
It also has 'Valid only via Newport', since it doesn't say which Newport, could I go via Essex!

Just to clarify, what are/were the relevant origin and destination stations? Presume one is/was Swindon (Wilts)?

 

[jfollows]

Penarth (or Cardiff) to Swindon ‘via Newport’ is valid via Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol or Bath as it happens. As well as Badminton of course.
Map LW at https://rgpp.iblocks.co.uk/maps
Restricting the ticket to ‘via Newport’ doesn’t seem to achieve much.
(There is no “any permitted” or even “.” ticket)

 

[J663738]

Penarth (or Cardiff) to Swindon ‘via Newport’ is valid via Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol or Bath as it happens. As well as Badminton of course.
Map LW at https://rgpp.iblocks.co.uk/maps
Restricting the ticket to ‘via Newport’ doesn’t seem to achieve much.
(There is no “any permitted” or even “.” ticket)

Yes found the map (thanks), so are you saying I could route via Gloucester or Chelthenham for instance and break the journey there? and this would be acceptable?

 

[Djgr]

I have found another ticket to Swindon I travelled yesterday and now do see the W(2) code.
It also has 'Valid only via Newport', since it doesn't say which Newport, could I go via Essex!

Ticket Restriction W2 | National Rail

Ticket restriction details W2. Each train ticket restriction code states when and/or on what train(s) the ticket is not valid and the days and/or dates that these restrictions apply.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Tried to edit the url to see all the different types of restrictions, but get a 404 error. Why are they hidden?

To be very honest I never paid much attention to it as the web address was nre.co.uk which I did not recognise.

Thanks!

Well the nr is National Rail. Not sure what the e stands for.

 

[jfollows]

Yes found the map (thanks), so are you saying I could route via Gloucester or Chelthenham for instance and break the journey there? and this would be acceptable?

Yes, provided the ticket allows break of journey, which would be the case for the tickets I can see.
(All tickets allow break of journey unless their restriction codes say they don’t.)

 

[J663738]

Sorry to be a pain, Suppose someone bought a Cardiff to Bristol ticket and then routed via Gloucester and stopped there (as that was there real destination, then returned to Cardiff via Bristol.
Wouldn't this effectively be getting Cardiff to Gloucester ticket on the cheap?
I am sure there must be hundreds of examples like this around the country.

 

[jfollows]

Sorry to be a pain, Suppose someone bought a Cardiff to Bristol ticket and then routed via Gloucester and stopped there (as that was there real destination, then returned to Cardiff via Bristol.
Wouldn't this effectively be getting Cardiff to Gloucester ticket on the cheap?
I am sure there must be hundreds of examples like this around the country.

Cardiff to Bristol isn’t valid via Gloucester. Map SN applies here.
Cardiff to Swindon is valid via Gloucester etc. per map LW.

You’ve got to know your end points first before looking up valid routes in the routeing guide.

 

[Haywain]

Well the nr is National Rail. Not sure what the e stands for.

The e stands for enquiries.