Journey – overnight stay – return home. On return trip, when to say Tefilas Haderekh?

Question

Mishna Berurah 110 (70) [29] says:

that although we say Tefilas Haderekh when we have left town, that's only at the beginning of the trip but when we stay overnight on the way, we can say THD when we get ready to leave even though we are still in town, because we have already started on the journey (yesterday).

וכ"ז בתחלת יציאתו מביתו אבל כשהוא לן בדרך יוכל לומר תה"ד בבוקר כשמכין עצמו לצאת אפילו כשהוא עדיין בעיר דכבר החזיק בדרך

That is understandable if we are traveling further onward on the second day; but can we say THD in town when we are returning home on the second day?

Answer 1

I think that your problem is one of translation:

וכ"ז בתחלת יציאתו מביתו אבל כשהוא לן בדרך יוכל לומר תה"ד בבוקר כשמכין עצמו לצאת אפילו כשהוא עדיין בעיר דכבר החזיק בדרך

And all this (what was said before) is at the start of his leaving from his house, but when he stays (sleeps over) along the way he can say tefilas haderech in the morning when he "arouses himself" to leave, even though he is still in the town (where he stayed over) because he has already established himself (literally strengthened) on the trip.

Thus, until one arrives home, it is considered that he is still traveling. In your example, once he leaves Manchester, every following day is considered part of the trip until he gets home. Leaving London (even to go home to Manchester) is not a separate trip.

When to Say Tefilas Haderech actually speaks about this.

20. If one has in mind to stay overnight at a certain location when reciting Tefilas Haderech and after arriving and stopping at that location he changes his mind and continues further or returns home, he must repeat Tefilas Haderech.

שו"ע או"ח סימן ק"י סעיף ה'

As we see above traveling home is considered part of the trip.