Can you break your journey in both directions, on a UK off-peak return train ticket?
For an upcoming UK rail trip, on day 1 I'd like to go from A to B, spend a few hours in B, then carry on to C. On day 2, I'd like to go from C back to B, spend several hours in B, then carry on from B back to A.
I've had a look, and an off-peak return from A to C is cheaper than an A-B return plus a B-C return. (That isn't always the case, due to things like split ticketing, but that's a whole other can of worms...). Timing wise, an off peak ticket is valid, so the only question is if I can break the journey in both directions.
The National Rail Off-Peak ticket terms and conditions page has this to say on breaks of journey:
Break of journey is allowed on the outward portion of Off-Peak tickets unless otherwise indicated by a restriction shown against the ticket's validity code and in all cases on the return portion of Off-Peak return tickets.
Assuming I've understood that correctly, I think I'd always be fine to go from A to C on one day, then stop off in B on my way home. Is that correct?
What about a break of journey on the outbound though. Is it commonly allowed, or commonly restricted? And how do I find out for my given journey?
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Can I break my journey on an Off-Peak Return?
A break of journey is permitted on the outward portion off an Off-Peak Return unless otherwise indicated by a restriction shown against the ticket's Restriction Code. Overnight break of journey - if the journey cannot be completed in this time, the ticket may be used to continue the journey on the following day.Can you break a journey on an open return ticket?
Yes, you can break your journey while travelling with an Anytime Single or Return ticket. This means you can get off the train at any connecting stop and leave the station, before boarding a later train to complete your journey.Can I break my journey with an off peak single?
You can't break a journey on an off peak one way ticket.Can I break a journey?
In general you cannot break your outward journey (except for necessary changes of train) but you can break your return journey. The outward portion of an Off-Peak Day Return ticket is only valid for travel when accompanied by an unused return portion.How to cut the cost of your rail tickets
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