I was travelling from Gomshall to Guildford but just missed the train I planned to get (20:24). However National Rail Enquiries showed another journey departing 20:35 to Dorking Deepdene, changing there and coming back to Guildford, which means doubling back but much quicker than waiting for the next direct train (at 22:10). The price quoted is the same (£4.80) as the direct train.
There are no ticket purchase facilities at Gomshall and the guard did not come round so I tried to purchase a ticket at Dorking Deepdene whilst changing but the price quoted to Guildford was more expensive (over £7). This made me suspicious as to whether the £4.80 single shown on National Rail Enquiries is actually valid for this journey, doubling back via Dorking or if NRE is in error? In the end I selected the option to purchase a ticket from another station so I could buy a Gomshall to Guildford single even though I was now at Dorking. This was accepted by the guard on the train without comment even though that train didn't stop at Gomshall (non-stop between Dorking and Guildford).
I had a quick look at the routing guide and couldn't see any easement about doubling back here, though there is one about tickets from Gomshall to London being valid via Guildford. Is there something I missed or is this an error on National Rail? (I did keep it open on my phone in case the guard queried it).
There are no ticket purchase facilities at Gomshall and the guard did not come round so I tried to purchase a ticket at Dorking Deepdene whilst changing but the price quoted to Guildford was more expensive (over £7). This made me suspicious as to whether the £4.80 single shown on National Rail Enquiries is actually valid for this journey, doubling back via Dorking or if NRE is in error? In the end I selected the option to purchase a ticket from another station so I could buy a Gomshall to Guildford single even though I was now at Dorking. This was accepted by the guard on the train without comment even though that train didn't stop at Gomshall (non-stop between Dorking and Guildford).
I had a quick look at the routing guide and couldn't see any easement about doubling back here, though there is one about tickets from Gomshall to London being valid via Guildford. Is there something I missed or is this an error on National Rail? (I did keep it open on my phone in case the guard queried it).