Train travel - not used to it - can I do this?

[lifeisneverwithouthope]

I’ve got split save tickets for a train on Tuesday, due to change at 2 separate places. My ticket says I can’t break that journey or change times, get a refund etc - not without paying about £75.

Relative that’s dropping me off for the train is saying it would suit them better if I can get on the train at the next station (ie the one after the one I’m due to get on at), they said this should be fine as there’s no barriers at the station and all I have to do is show my ticket when they come round.

I’m not sure if that’s OK, if not what the consequences would be - I don’t fancy a fine of some sort.

In theory it doesn’t seem wrong because I’ve paid for my ticket from the preceding station but reading Ts and Cs it looks like it might be!

You'll be fine.

I also think it will be fine. Is it the same route? If there are any route restrictions on your ticket that mean you're not allowed to travel via the station you want to use, (or that you must go via a different station) then that's more complicated

It’s the same route and train yes, it’s just that I’d be getting on it at the next stop.

I spend my life on trains and get split tickets a lot to save money. This will definitely be fine even if there is someone at the station/barriers you'd just show your ticket to them. Once you're on the train it also won't matter as you're on the correct train and got on after your stop not before.

It’s fine

You'll be fine. As long as the ticket covers that section of the journey there is no problem. E.G if you were heading from, say Bristol Parkway to Birmingham New Street, you could get on the train at Cheltenham as that is after the initial start of the journey. You wouldn't be allowed to get on at Bristol Temple Meads as that is before the station your tickets start at. Likewise anywhere after Birmingham New Street would also no be allowed.