Off peak return via a third destination

[aQ4U]

Hi

First of all sorry if this has been asked before. Second, sorry if I sound stupid asking this question. I am used to driving everywhere and am not a savvy rail user.

I have an off peak return ticket from Newcastle to Birmingham.

I wish to go to Blackpool from Newcastle, stop over 2 nights, then continue my journey to Bham from Blackpool.

I would have to go

Newcastle > York (or Manchester or Leeds)

York > Blackpool

Blackpool > Birmingham

Is it possible on this ticket? Or would I have to buy a York>Blackpool ticket as it’s on a separate network/not on route to Bham, and then a third Blackpool > Bham ticket as it’s a new journey (or will my original ticket still be valid as I haven’t ended my journey in Bham yet)

Many thanks.

 

[30907]

1. The rules are different for outward and return - stopovers are almost always allowed on the return but not the outward.

2. Unfortunately the ticket isn't valid for travel via Carlisle to Preston, which is a shame so you would have to buy separate one-way tickets (to Blackpool from Manchester or Hebden Br not York, as your ticket is good that far, then from Blackpool to Brum.

(If you are using the return leg, Blackpool to Crewe would be enough or possibly Blackpool to Warrington; or you could by a (period) return from Manchester to Blackpool and come back Blackpool-MAN-BHM, which might be cheaper than flexible singles.)

There may be ways of doing this more cheaply, but you've got your ticket so.

 

[aQ4U]

Thank you.

Outward has been used so not to worry about that.

Just so I am clear - could I get to Blackpool from Newcastle on the New>Bham ticket (inward)

I’ll just buy a single back to Birmingham from Blackpool if needed it’s not an issue.

 

[jfollows]

If I understand you - you have an unused return half of a Birmingham-Newcastle off-peak return. If so, you can use it to Manchester via York, then buy a Manchester-Blackpool single and a Blackpool-Crewe (I will check) single and then resume using your Newcastle-Birmingham return to complete your journey.

EDIT Blackpool-Warrington; your Newcastle-Birmingham ticket which you already have can be used for the remaining Warrington-Birmingham leg.

Or you could go Newcastle-Warrington, then buy a return Warrington-Blackpool.

 

[aQ4U]

Got you

So for the Blackpool leg I will need separate tickets. Resume journey on Bham route (get to a station on that route).

Many thanks, that helps a lot.

 

[jfollows]

Got you

So for the Blackpool leg I will need separate tickets. Resume journey on Bham route (get to a station on that route).

Many thanks, that helps a lot.

Exactly. Your Newcastle-Birmingham ticket is valid Newcastle-York-Leeds-Manchester-Warrington-Crewe-Birmingham (for example) so you can break your journey along this route and rejoin it at the same place or further along the route, and the ticket is valid for a month so this can be on different days.

 

[Haywain]

If I understand you - you have an unused return half of a Birmingham-Newcastle off-peak return. If so, you can use it to Manchester via York, then buy a Manchester-Blackpool single and a Blackpool-Crewe (I will check) single and then resume using your Newcastle-Birmingham return to complete your journey.

EDIT Blackpool-Warrington; your Newcastle-Birmingham ticket which you already have can be used for the remaining Warrington-Birmingham leg.

Or you could go Newcastle-Warrington, then buy a return Warrington-Blackpool.

Wouldn't a Manchester to Blackpool return be simpler and cheaper?