A dumb question, but for Cheap Day Return tickets, does travel all have to be on the same day? I'm pricing Oxford to Reading return for tomorrow on the trainline, and it looks like the price is available even for trains that leave Reading after midnight. Is this possible? What if I leave Reading before midnight but arrive Oxford after midnight?

If it says you can buy it, it's legal

maybe it's like tube travel cards for a day - i think they can be used till early the next morning?

In any case if Alan says it's OK it's OK IME - no further research needed

Thanks, all. I'll buy from the station tomorrow and ask just to be sure, but I'm sure you are right.

Something you should know about buying train tickets in the UK. You will often not get the cheapest ticket unless you actually ask for it.

Yes, thanks, I will ask for the Cheap Day Return.

You may also find it is sometimes cheaper to notbuy returns but to buy 2 singles depending on what offers they have on. Check out the prices on here.
www.nationalrail.co.uk

Kaneda writes:

<i>&quot;Something you should know about buying train tickets in the UK. You will often not get the cheapest ticket unless you actually ask for it.&quot;</i>

Very true. Last December, I did a lot of research about Gatwick to London train prices for 3 people. Lowest I could find online was &pound;20 daysaver for 4 people on Southern (which is cheaper than &pound;9 regular fare)

Then when I got to the counter, the guy asked if we wanted a London Travelcard too? We ended paying &pound;19.8 for 3 persons Gatwick-Victoria <b>plus</b> all-day London Travelcard.

Always ask!

I would second that, rkkwan.

We paid exactly the same (&pound;19.80) for three people on a day Travelcard a few weekends ago on the same rail line. When we initially looked at the cost, the machine said &pound;30. We had to search really hard for the lowest price.

The fares are getting more complicated all the time and the restrictions are mind boggling on some lines now that different rail operators run (e.g. First Great Western and Virgin out of Paddington).

You SHOULD always be offered the lowest-priced ticket for your needs. The companies involved are are obliged to do so. However, the labyrinthine system means that the vendors can easily make mistakes or omissions.

What if I leave Reading before midnight but arrive Oxford after midnight?

As I recall you have to start the journey by 2400 (some later trains may also be allowed) and complete the journey by 0200.

But check when booking.

It worked out fine ... the cheap day return was valid until the last train back from Reading, which was 12:19 am, but we took the 11:48 pm.