Anytime train tickets are fully flexible and have no time restrictions on when you can travel, however, Anytime train tickets are generally the most expensive of the available ticket types.

Primary benefits of Anytime train tickets are:

• You can buy Anytime tickets at any time before you travel
• You can use your Anytime ticket to travel on any train on the route shown.
• You can break your journey at stations along the route.
• Anytime tickets have no restrictions on what time you can travel.
• Anytime Singles allow you to travel within 2 days of the date shown on your ticket.
• Most Anytime Returns are valid for 5 days from the date shown on the 'outward' portion and for 1 calendar month on the 'return' portion.
• Some Anytime Return tickets may have a different validity period which will be made clear on the ticket itself and at the point of purchase.
• Anytime Day Single and Anytime Day Return tickets are only valid on the date shown.

Discounts on Anytime Train Tickets

There are lots of discounts available on Anytime train tickets:

• For a child aged 5 to 15, a discount of 50% applies to all Anytime fares
• If you have a 16-17 Saver Railcard, you can get 50% off adult Anytime fares
• If you have any National Railcard you can get 1/3 off Standard Class Anytime fares

Changing or Getting a Refund for Anytime Tickets

Your Anytime ticket is refundable (with no admin fee) if the service you planned to travel on is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.

If you choose to travel on a different day, not covered by your original ticket, there is no admin fee to get a refund and rebook your ticket.

If you choose to cancel your journey entirely, for a reason other than delay or cancellation, you can get a refund, but you may be charged an admin fee of no more than £5.

To cancel your ticket and get a refund, you should return the ticket to the retailer you bought it from. Tickets purchased from self-service vending machines at unstaffed stations should provide information on how to refund a ticket.

Seat Reservations with Anytime Tickets

Seat reservations are not compulsory with Anytime tickets, but you are able to make seat reservations online, at stations, over the phone, or at Rail Appointed Travel Agents. They are normally free of charge if made at the same time you buy your ticket. Seat reservations are recommended on busy services and for longer journeys.

Further Information on Anytime Train Tickets

Full terms and conditions applicable to the Anytime ticket and the Anytime Day ticket are published on the National Rail web site.

You can book your Advance train tickets securely online here.

Primary features of Advance tickets are:

An Advance train ticket is a fare that is usually only available for sale before the day of travel. These tickets are specifically offered as Single tickets for journeys from point A to point B on the rail network.

• Advance train tickets are usually great value and ideal for saving money on long journeys.
• They must be bought in advance and are only valid on the date and train specified.
• All Advance tickets are for single journeys, but you can combine two Advance tickets to create your whole journey, including your return.
• They are sold in limited numbers, subject to availability and on a first come, first served basis.
• You can usually buy an Advance ticket up to 12 weeks ahead of travel and they are still available until the day of travel on many routes – sometimes up to 10 minutes before departure.

Discounts on Advance Train Tickets

The following discounts are available on Advance train tickets:

• For a child aged 5 to 15, a discount of 50% applies to all Advance fares
• If you have a 16-17 Saver Railcard, you can get 50% off adult Standard class Advance fares
• If you have any National Railcard you can get 1/3 off Standard class Advance fares
• If you have a 16-25, 26-30, Senior, Two Together, HM Forces, Veterans or Disabled Persons Railcard, you can also get 1/3 off First Class Advance fares

Changing or Getting a Refund for Advance Tickets

If you need to change the day or time that you are travelling, you can amend your ticket right up to the time your journey is due to begin.

You may be charged £10 to change your ticket and you will also be charged for any difference in price between your ticket and the new ticket.

Please Note: Advance tickets are non-refundable, unless your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.

Seat Reservations with Advance Tickets

Not all services offer seat reservations. Generally, the longer the journey the more likely you are to be able to book a seat. If you want to make a reservation, you can book your seat at the same time as you buy your tickets.

Even if you don’t reserve a seat, all Advance tickets must still be used on the date and service specified on your ticket.

Further information on Advance tickets

Full details of and the terms and conditions applicable to Advance train tickets may be found on the National Rail web page.

You can book your Advance train tickets securely online here.

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are available for travelling at less busy times on weekdays and all day at the weekend.

Single Off-Peak Tickets: These must be used before 04:30 on the morning following the date of issue. For example, if you purchase a single Off-Peak ticket on a Wednesday, you must use it before 04:30 AM on Thursday.

Off-Peak Return Tickets: The outbound journey must be completed on the date of issue and the return journey must be undertaken within one month, adhering to Off-Peak hours. For instance, if you travel on a Sunday, the return trip should be on an Off-Peak time within the next month.

Primary Features of Off-Peak Train Tickets

Off-Peak tickets are designed to be used during less busy times on the rail network, including weekdays outside the morning and evening commuter rush hours and during weekends. These tickets offer a cost-effective way to travel, as they are cheaper due to the time restrictions placed on their use.

Super Off-Peak tickets offer even greater savings and are available only during the quietest periods, such as midday or late evenings during the week. These tickets are especially beneficial for those with flexible schedules, including those who work unconventional hours or those planning leisure trips during weekends or bank holidays.

When purchasing an Off-Peak train ticket, you need to be mindful of the following guidelines:

• They are cheaper, but may require you to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes.
• Where there is more than 1 Off-Peak fare for your journey, the cheaper fare – with more restrictions – is the Super Off-Peak.
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day tickets are only valid on the date shown on your ticket.
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Returns are valid for 1 month from the date shown on your ticket.
• You can buy both types of Off-Peak tickets at any time before you travel, at the station and online.

Times you can use Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Tickets

In general, Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 from Monday to Friday in cities and large towns and at 09:00 everywhere else.

• If your train is scheduled to depart after this time in the morning, you can usually travel with an Off-Peak ticket, although evening restrictions may apply.
• Weekends and bank holidays are Off-Peak all day.
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets will have a Restriction Code that tells you when it is valid for your journey. You can search for your Restriction Code here using the National Rail Ticket Validity Finder tool.

If an Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket is valid for your journey, online journey planners will make them available for you to purchase.

The details of the trains that you can catch and the times that you can travel will depend on the journey you are making and will be made available when you buy your ticket.

Discounts on Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Tickets

There are very good discounts available on both types of Off-Peak train tickets:

• For a child aged 5 to 15, a discount of 50% applies to all Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares
• If you have a 16-17 Saver Railcard, you can get 50% off adult Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares
• If you have any National Railcard you can get 1/3 off Standard Class Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares

Please note that minimum fares and time restrictions may apply to Off-Peak tickets bought with some Railcards.

Changing or Getting a Refund for Off-Peak Tickets

• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets do not require you to travel on a specific train, only at certain times. So, if your outward travel date remains the same you might not need to pay an additional fare.
• Off-Peak Day tickets and the outward part of Off-Peak tickets are only valid on the date shown on the ticket. If you need to travel on a different date, you will need to cancel your ticket and buy a new one.
• Your ticket is refundable (with no admin fee) if the service you planned to travel on is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.
• If you choose to travel on another day not covered by your original ticket, there is no admin fee to get a refund and rebook your ticket.
• If you choose to cancel your journey entirely, for a reason other than delay or cancellation, you can get a refund, but you may be charged an admin fee of no more than £5.

Note:To cancel your ticket and get a refund, you must return the ticket to the place you bought it.

Seat Reservations with Off-Peak Tickets

Seat reservations are not compulsory with Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets, but you are able to make seat reservations online, at stations, over the phone, or at Rail Appointed Travel Agents. They are normally free of charge if made at the same time you buy your ticket.

Further information on Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Ttickets

• Full details can be found in the National Rail Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Ticket terms and conditions


• and the National Rail Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Ticket terms and conditions.

You can book your Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets securely online here.

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are available for travelling at less busy times on weekdays and all day at the weekend.

Single Off-Peak Tickets: These must be used before 04:30 on the morning following the date of issue. For example, if you purchase a single Off-Peak ticket on a Wednesday, you must use it before 04:30 AM on Thursday.

Off-Peak Return Tickets: The outbound journey must be completed on the date of issue and the return journey must be undertaken within one month, adhering to Off-Peak hours. For instance, if you travel on a Sunday, the return trip should be on an Off-Peak time within the next month.

Primary Features of Off-Peak Train Tickets

Off-Peak tickets are designed to be used during less busy times on the rail network, including weekdays outside the morning and evening commuter rush hours and during weekends. These tickets offer a cost-effective way to travel, as they are cheaper due to the time restrictions placed on their use.

Super Off-Peak tickets offer even greater savings and are available only during the quietest periods, such as midday or late evenings during the week. These tickets are especially beneficial for those with flexible schedules, including those who work unconventional hours or those planning leisure trips during weekends or bank holidays.

When purchasing an Off-Peak train ticket, you need to be mindful of the following guidelines:

• They are cheaper, but may require you to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes.
• Where there is more than 1 Off-Peak fare for your journey, the cheaper fare – with more restrictions – is the Super Off-Peak.
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day tickets are only valid on the date shown on your ticket.
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Returns are valid for 1 month from the date shown on your ticket.
• You can buy both types of Off-Peak tickets at any time before you travel, at the station and online.

Times you can use Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Tickets

In general, Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 from Monday to Friday in cities and large towns and at 09:00 everywhere else.

• If your train is scheduled to depart after this time in the morning, you can usually travel with an Off-Peak ticket, although evening restrictions may apply.
• Weekends and bank holidays are Off-Peak all day.
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets will have a Restriction Code that tells you when it is valid for your journey. You can search for your Restriction Code here using the National Rail Ticket Validity Finder tool.

If an Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket is valid for your journey, online journey planners will make them available for you to purchase.

The details of the trains that you can catch and the times that you can travel will depend on the journey you are making and will be made available when you buy your ticket.

Discounts on Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Tickets

There are very good discounts available on both types of Off-Peak train tickets:

• For a child aged 5 to 15, a discount of 50% applies to all Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares
• If you have a 16-17 Saver Railcard, you can get 50% off adult Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares
• If you have any National Railcard you can get 1/3 off Standard Class Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares

Please note that minimum fares and time restrictions may apply to Off-Peak tickets bought with some Railcards.

Changing or Getting a Refund for Off-Peak Tickets

• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets do not require you to travel on a specific train, only at certain times. So, if your outward travel date remains the same you might not need to pay an additional fare.
• Off-Peak Day tickets and the outward part of Off-Peak tickets are only valid on the date shown on the ticket. If you need to travel on a different date, you will need to cancel your ticket and buy a new one.
• Your ticket is refundable (with no admin fee) if the service you planned to travel on is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.
• If you choose to travel on another day not covered by your original ticket, there is no admin fee to get a refund and rebook your ticket.
• If you choose to cancel your journey entirely, for a reason other than delay or cancellation, you can get a refund, but you may be charged an admin fee of no more than £5.

Note:To cancel your ticket and get a refund, you must return the ticket to the place you bought it.

Seat Reservations with Off-Peak Tickets

Seat reservations are not compulsory with Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets, but you are able to make seat reservations online, at stations, over the phone, or at Rail Appointed Travel Agents. They are normally free of charge if made at the same time you buy your ticket.

Further information on Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Ttickets

• Full details can be found in the National Rail Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Ticket terms and conditions


• and the National Rail Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Ticket terms and conditions.

You can book your Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets securely online here.

Rover train tickets may only be purchased via National Rail or at manned ticket counters at railway stations.

A full list of available Rover tickets on offer may be viewed on the National Rail web page here.

Ranger train tickets may only be purchased via National Rail or at manned ticket counters at railway stations.

A full list of available Ranger tickets on offer may be viewed on the National Rail web page here.

Primary Features of Season train tickets are:

• Season tickets offer unlimited travel between 2 stations.
• If you make the same journey regularly, a Season ticket or Flexi Season ticket might be better value for money than daily tickets.
• Season tickets are available to buy weekly, monthly and annually – as well as any period from 1 month and 1 day up to 1 year. You can travel as much as you like within your chosen time. They are available for both Standard Class and First Class travel.
• If you travel less regularly, a Flexi Season ticket, which gives you 8 days of travel in 28 days, might be right for you.
• The price of your Season ticket will vary, depending on your journey, the route you want to take and the class of travel.
• If your journey includes travelling in London you may also need purchase an Oyster or Travelcard to travel on the London Underground.

Buying Season Tickets

You can buy or renew a Season ticket online or at any staffed National Rail ticket office. If you are buying a Season ticket for the first time, you may need to have a Photocard created. Photocards do not have an expiry date and can be reused when a Season ticket expires.

Season Ticket Restrictions

• Season tickets are available for most short and medium distance journeys on the National Rail network.
• Season tickets are not generally available for long distance journeys, but may be available where a train company chooses to offer them.
• Unless the Season ticket says it can only be used on a specific train company’s services, it is valid on all services on the route and within the Zones for which the ticket is issued.

Season tickets are availavble in several options. For the most recent information on season tickets and season ticket prices please click here to access the National Rail season ticket information page.

• Govia Thameslink Railway (Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express)
  Govia Thameslink Railway’s keyGo is valid for travel on Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, as well as Great Western services between Redhill and Dorking Deepdene and Warblington and Brighton. KEYgo is not valid on Transport for London or other train operators’ services.
• Great Western Railway
  Great Western Railway’s touch smartcard is valid for travel in large parts of West England between Bristol, Bath Spa, Chippenham, Weston-Super-Mare, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa, including journeys on Cross Country between Weston-Super-Mare/Bristol and Cheltenham Spa and Transport for Wales rail services between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa.
• South Western Railway
  South Western Railway’s Tap2Go is valid for travel across their entire network, including journeys on services within London Zones 1 to 9.

For detailed and updated information on Pay-As-You_go train tickets please read this page on the National Rail web page.

• An Off-Peak ticket to return the same day between Birmingham and Leeds cost £75.50
• However, you could buy a ticket from Birmingham to Derby, another ticket from Derby to Sheffield and another one from Sheffield to Leeds for a total of £49.30, saving £25.80 whilst you still travel on the same train, at the same time and in the same seat. At peak times, the savings can be much bigger.
• These tickets are valid on exactly the same trains and you don't have to get off the train where you change from one ticket to another. The only thing that you must check is that the train stops at every station where you split tickets. So in this case, your train would have to stop at Derby and Sheffield.