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Current Ticket Types

With so many railway stations and train operating companies in the UK, the ticketing system can seem very daunting and confusing. The larger TOC's have as many as 250,000 different tickets available to purchase from their network of stations. This guide will assist you with the main tickets and railcards available, and enable you to choose which is right for you and the journey you are making. Follow the links below for an invaluable insight into how you could save money.

1

Anytime Tickets

Anytime tickets allow you to travel at any time. You may need to travel by a specific route or train company but the ticket will state this. You are allowed to break your journey.
  • Anytime Single or Day Return tickets are valid for one single or return journey on the date shown on the ticket.
  • Anytime Return tickets are valid for one return journey. The outward portion is valid for five days and the return portion is valid for one calendar month from the start date shown on the ticket.

These tickets are refundable.

Half price fares are available for children aged between 5 and 15, under 5's are free.

Off-Peak Tickets

Off-Peak tickets are cheaper than Anytime tickets and are valid on trains that are less busy. You may need to travel at specific times of the day, days of the week and sometimes on specific routes or operators.

The times when you may use your Off-Peak ticket will depend on the journey you are making and you will be advised when buying your ticket.

You may break your journey in most cases. Where this is not allowed it will be stated in the conditions for that ticket.

  • Off-Peak Single or Day Return tickets are valid for one single or return journey on the date shown on the ticket.
  • Off-Peak Return tickets are valid for one return journey. The outward portion is valid for travel on the date shown on the ticket. The return portion is valid for one calendar month from the start date shown on the ticket.

These tickets are refundable.

Half price fares are available for children aged between 5 and 15, under 5's are free.
3

Super Off Peak Tickets

On some journeys, there are cheaper tickets called Super Off-Peak; these are valid on the least busy services.

The times when you may use your  Super Off-Peak ticket will depend on the journey you are making and you will be advised when buying your ticket.

You may break your journey in most cases. Where this is not allowed it will be stated in the conditions for that ticket.

  • Super Off-Peak Single or Day Return tickets are valid for one single or return journey on the date shown on the ticket.

These tickets are refundable.

Half price fares are available for children aged between 5 and 15, under 5's are free.
4

First Class Tickets

Many services have First Class as well as Standard seating. In these cases First Class Anytime and Season tickets will be available, and you may also be able to buy First Class Off-Peak and Advance tickets for these trains.

On some longer distance services you can upgrade to First Class on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays on payment of an additional fare. Check the website of the train company who you will be travelling with for details.

These tickets are refundable.

Half price fares are available for children aged between 5 and 15, under 5's are free.
5

Season Tickets

Season tickets allow unlimited travel between two stations for a specified period of time. Season tickets are available for periods of seven days, or for any period from one month to one year.

Season tickets offer great savings for regular travellers and you can usually make savings even if you travel only 2 or 3 days a week. If you buy an Annual Season ticket you will get 52 weeks travel for the price of 40.

These tickets are refundable.

If you buy an Annual Season ticket for a journey in the London and South East area your ticket will be issued as a Gold Card. This gives the card holder a range of special benefits. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/goldcard for further details.

Half price fares are available for children aged between 5 and 15, under 5's are free.
6

Advance Tickets

Advance tickets are single fares offering great value for money on many longer and some shorter distance journeys.

You must book in advance up to the day before travel and these tickets are subject to availability. Generally, the earlier you book the better the deal - tickets are available up to 12 weeks before travel.

You will need to choose a specific train at the time of booking and must travel on that service. No break of journey is allowed except to change between trains.

There are no refunds on Advance tickets, but you can change your journey prior to travel (up to departure) for a £10 fee plus any difference in the fare payable.

Half price fares are available for children aged between 5 and 15, under 5's are free.

Oyster Cards

Oyster is a way of paying for travel in London. Oyster cards are smartcards that can be loaded with different types of tickets which can be read electronically by ticket gates and staff with ticket checking equipment.

Oyster Pay As You Go is a Prepay card; just put credit on your card and then use it as you go. No more queuing for tickets. There is no need to plan your journey or buy a specific ticket in advance.

  • Single fares are generally cheaper with Oyster than cash.

  • Oyster automatically works out the cheapest fare for all your journeys so you'll never pay more than the price of a Day Travelcard.

  • You can add your Railcard to your Oyster card and get 34% off the daily price cap.
8

Senior Railcards

If you're 60 or over the Senior Railcard gives you 34% off most Standard and First Class rail fares throughout Great Britain for only £28 for the entire year.

You can use your Senior Railcard across the National Rail network. Remember to present it with you when buying tickets and carry it with you when you travel.

If your journey is wholly in the 'network area' there are Monday to Friday morning peak restrictions  (except bank holidays).
9

16-25 Railcards

If you are aged between 16 and 25 or a mature student aged 26 years or over and in full time study, the 16-25 Railcard gives you 34% off most rail fares throughout Great Britain plus many other great discounts. The cost is £28 for the entire year.

You can use your 16-25 Railcard across the National Rail network. Remember to present it with you when buying tickets and carry it with you when you travel.

A £12 minimum fare applies for journeys before 10am Monday to Friday, excluding Advance fares, bank holidays, and the whole of July and August.

Disabled Railcards

If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult you might qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard.

The Railcard allows you - and one adult travelling with you - to get 34% off most rail fares throughout Great Britain, the cost is £20 for the entire year. Remember to present it with you when buying tickets and carry it with you when you travel.

You can use your Railcard at any time. Some tickets are subject to restrictions, so to avoid any confusion please check before booking.
11

H.M.Forces Railcards

The H.M.Forces Railcard costs £15 and it'll save you 34% on most leisure rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year.

You're eligible if you're a member of the regular forces or a spouse of a member. Remember to present it with you when buying tickets and carry it with you when you travel.

A £12 minimum fare applies before 10am Monday to Friday excluding weekends, bank holidays and the whole of July and August.

Family & Friends Railcards

The Family & Friends Railcard gives you 34% off most adult fares and 60% off kids' fares throughout Great Britain. It costs £28 for a whole year.

It can be used by up to four adults and four kids - and you don't have to be related. You can have the card issued in the name of two adults, so that when one named person can't use it, the other can, as long as you're travelling with at least one child. Remember to present it with you when buying tickets and carry it with you when you travel.

If your journey is wholly in the 'network area' there are Monday to Friday morning peak restrictions  (except bank holidays).

13

Network Railcards

The Network Railcard gives you and up to three friends 34% off leisure train journeys in the Network Railcard area. You can also take up to four children with you and save 60% on their fares.

You can travel any time on weekends and bank holidays or from 10am Monday to Friday. Remember to present it with you when buying tickets and carry it with you when you travel.

There is a £13 minimum fare for journeys made Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). It costs £28 for a whole year.
14

Group Save Discounts

Anyone Travelling together in a group of 3 or 4 can make great savings with GroupSave.

When 2 adults buy any Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket, one or two additional people can travel with them free. You can also take up to four children with the GroupSave party for just £1 each.

Some train operators do not accept GroupSave tickets so to avoid any confusion please check before booking.
 

So how does each £ you spend on your rail ticket get distributed? (on average)

48p to Network rail for infrastructure costs and repairs
17p for the train operating company's staff costs
17p for miscellaneous costs such as train maintenance, administration and contractors
11p for rolling stock leases
4p for fuel and energy
3p is the train operating company's profit
 

For the most accurate, up-to-date information, giving you a totally honest, impartial overview of all of the above tickets and railcards,

please visit your local staffed railway station ticket office.
 
 

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