Do I need to use the outbound journey on a day return

doopa

Looking at prices online: a day return is cheaper than a single ticket. Can I buy and use a day return ticket on the train if I only plan to use the return portion of the ticket?

doopa

On the next page i see this from Translink

On day of travel you must bring with you the booking confirmation email or proof of ID to collect your ticket. Tickets can only be redeemed at your departure station ticket office on day of travel.

So that seems to be how they stop you getting the cheaper phone.

savagethegoat

could you only use the outward portion of the ticket to achieve the same thing?

doopa

savagethegoat wrote: »

could you only use the outward portion of the ticket to achieve the same thing?

Day return from Belfast to Dublin is a completely different price compared to a day return from Dublin to Belfast.

Belfast day return 15 sterling.
Dublin day return 46 euro.

savagethegoat

well then the answer is yes you can, but how you are going to do it, I don't know

Losty Dublin

doopa wrote: »

Day return from Belfast to Dublin is a completely different price compared to a day return from Dublin to Belfast.

Belfast day return 15 sterling.
Dublin day return 46 euro.

Day returns Dublin-Belfast are €40 return and not €46. Translink's standard fare for Belfast-Dublin day return trips is £34. They have some cheaper fares for certain trips but they need to be booked several days in advance and they can only be used for the specified trip as booked.

In general you have to make your outward trip first on a return ticket before you can use the return trip; you can chance it but you may be liable to a penalty fare if caught out. If you only want to use the one trip then you can book a single ticket online.

savagethegoat

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Day returns Dublin-Belfast are €40 return and not €46. Translink's standard fare for Belfast-Dublin day return trips is £34. They have some cheaper fares for certain trips but they need to be booked several days in advance and they can only be used for the specified trip as booked.

In general you have to make your outward trip first on a return ticket before you can use the return trip; you can chance it but you may be liable to a penalty fare if caught out. If you only want to use the one trip then you can book a single ticket online.

how would they prove you hadn't travelled on the outward leg?

Losty Dublin

savagethegoat wrote: »

how would they prove you hadn't travelled on the outward leg?

An unchecked ticket for one. The Enterprise still has fairly observant inspections at each end so you may get stopped before you even get moving.

As well, online tickets need to be picked up pre journey. In the case of the Enterprise an NIR booked ticket can only be picked up from an NIR station and not an Irish Rail one and vice versa. While it doesn't make it impossible it means you have to collect a ticket before leaving the North and not prior to boarding.

XPS_Zero

I use the Enterprise frequently and there's usually four checks:

-One as you head for the train (punch hole usually)
-One on the train (another hole or pen mark)
-One punch hole re boarding towards train on return leg
-Another on board check

Still you could in theory as there's no way for them to prove it you could just say nobody was checking them on your outward end. Very occasionally there's no on board check, very occasionally no gate check. So you could but if you have to pick up the ticket at the first legs place it be awkward to arrange