To think that Adavnce Train Tickets have stupid conditions

[WetAugust]

I want to get from town A to town z.

I could go from station A1, that then stops at station A2 before continuing to town Z.

The cost of the ticket is the same from A1 to Z (via A2) as it is from A2 to Z.

I live an equal distamce from stations A1 and A2. I want to buy an Advance ticket as it will cost me a quarter of the price of buying one on the day.

But I cannot buy a ticket from A1 and get on at A2, even though the train stops at A2.

Bloody barking and unnecessarily restrictive.

That doesn't make advance tickets cheap- just less expensive than those bought on the day. Which is a questionable practice in itself, IMO.

Well I've seen people get tickets for £12 for a 3.5 hour journey, I think that's pretty good. But on the whole I agree that tickets can be expensive and that given the restrictions advance tickets aren't always good value. But it's not within my remit to change the price of tickets nor their terms and conditions.

I was just coming back to suggest what lastnight has. If the cost of the ticket between A1 and A2 is less than £50 (and if they are very close it might be much, much less), then just buy from A2 and buy a ticket from A1 to A2 on the day if you need to. If they are very close it might only be a couple of pounds. Then you will have the flexibility and be covered for your whole journey for much less than it would have cost.

Thomas, I travel regularly by train and see that a lot. If people are nice, then the guard will be nice back. If they are horrible, then not necessarily so.

The route I go on is one of the prettiest ever, down to Plymouth from Taunton, so that may improve peoples moods a little.

Mamma I think most guards are like that although as in all other walks of life you get some who are totally unbending. I'm not afraid of confrontation but take no pleasure in it and do what I can to avoid it being necessary. I'd far rather a happy train so I always assume the best, have a smile on my face and try and help my passengers wherever I can. The vast majority of passengers are lovely too so mostly it all runs smoothly!

The scenery in Devon is just stunning, you're very lucky to travel through it!