South Western Semi Flex Return prices confusion

[TheSmiths82]

I have decided that I might go to Torquay in the summer, but my trip will be weather dependant, so I want everything to be as flexible as possible including the hotel. I am starting my journey from London as I haven't been there for a year, so I am staying there for a couple of nights first. The cheapest way of doing it seems to be a South Western Semi Flex Return from Paddington which I can buy the day before providing the outward train is fixed. A standard off peak is not much more but the outward train will leave too late. I ideally want to get the 10:20 out of Paddington which the semi flex return is valid on.

I am confused because the prices of these tickets vary from £68 to £134 and I can't tell the difference between any of them. The trains they are valid on and the restrictions all seem identical. The ticket I am looking for is from Paddington to Exeter St Davids, as I will buy single tickets on the day for the rest of the journey.

I just need the ticket to be flexible rather than advanced singles because if the weather is rubbish, I will either extend my stay in London or just go home and do something else another time. Three nights in Torquay in the pouring rain doesn’t sound very appealing. I have used Trainline as a journey search but I won't purchase the tickets from them

Edit: I have just noticed, that the SW trains leave from Waterloo and not Paddington, so please ignore any reference to that, I will make sure I arrive at the correct station

 

[JonathanH]

The cheapest way of doing it seems to be a South Western Semi Flex Return from Paddington which I can buy the day before providing the outward train is fixed.

A semi-flex return from London Terminals to Exeter St Davids isn't valid from Paddington, as they are routed South Western Railway only. The timings you have shown suggest a Waterloo departure (1020 to Exeter) and journeys back (xx25 from Exeter).

I am confused because the prices of these tickets vary from £68 to £134 and I can't tell the difference between any of them. The trains they are valid on and the restrictions all seem identical. The ticket I am looking for is from Paddington to Exeter St Davids, as I will buy single tickets on the day for the rest of the journey.

The semi-flex return is quota controlled so will have different fares depending on the journey as the quotas get used up - a passenger would simply buy the cheapest one.

For travel from Paddington to Exeter St Davids on GWR, you probably would want to combine an Advance Single on the way to Exeter (or Torquay) with a Super-off-peak Single on the way back from the description of your needs, or a Super-off-peak return, but the outward journey can't be made until 1036.

 

[TheSmiths82]

Thanks that explains it , I did update my previous post about my Paddington/Waterloo but I think you must have replied at the same time I updated it. I will have a look into that, as if I have to buy the semi flex ticket way in advance to get it at a decent price it defeats the object of trying to be flexible An advanced single is only £18 for the 10:20 I want to get so I might just bite the bullet as and then maybe get off peak single on the way back. I just didn't want to spend over £50 on tickets if I decide not to bother with the Torquay part of my holiday.

 

[yorkie]

Is that a screenshot from Trainline? If so, you will be charged a booking fee.

If you use the forum's ticketing site, you won't be charged a booking fee, so it will just cost you £18 for the Advance Single from Waterloo. The forum also benefits in a small way when people use our site

The forum's site might find a cheaper ticket on the way back; £18 sounds like it can't be beaten, but if you book at short notice, the forum's site may find cheaper fares that Trainline-powered sites don't.

 

[TheSmiths82]

Is that a screenshot from Trainline? If so, you will be charged a booking fee.

If you use the forum's ticketing site, you won't be charged a booking fee, so it will just cost you £18 for the Advance Single from Waterloo. The forum also benefits in a small way when people use our site

The forum's site might find a cheaper ticket on the way back; £18 sounds like it can't be beaten, but if you book at short notice, the forum's site may find cheaper fares that Trainline-powered sites don't.

I explained the screenshot here "Three nights in Torquay in the pouring rain doesn’t sound very appealing. I have used Trainline as a journey search but I won't purchase the tickets from them"

I never purchase from them, but I am just used to their interface so tend to use it for checking prices I suppose it is a 25 year old habit I am finding hard to break

 

[TheSmiths82]

Thanks for all your help, I am now inclined to get the £115 super off peak return from for GWR, my hotel in London is only 15 minutes away on the Elizabeth Line from Paddington where as Waterloo required a change,, the train is much faster so it means I can arrive in Devon early afternoon and more importantly the train stops less frequently which means it should be more relaxing.
Is there any reason against getting the GWR? If I could buy a £70 Superflex a few days before I would still go via SWR and Waterloo but as the trip depends on the weather I don't want to spend that much money on a ticket yet that I can't get a refund for. I can get the £115 ticket on the day.