Train Ticket Types in the UK

Train ticket types explained. We're here to help you choose the best ticket option, whether you're looking for Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak, Return, Advance, Season, Flexi Season, or more.

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To discover the train ticket type that best suits your travels, please check out the UK Train Ticket Types guide to book cheap train tickets.

Off-Peak & Super-Off Peak Train Tickets

What is an Off-Peak train ticket?

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 quieter travel periods, such as midday or late evenings during the week. These tickets are especially suitable for those with flexible schedules, including those who work unconventional hours or those planning leisure trips during weekends or bank holidays.

While specific times for Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak travel can vary by route, direction, and train operator, general information is available on Trip.com, where you can also purchase these tickets along with UK Railcards.

How does an Off-Peak train ticket work?

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets can require a little bit of research, so ensure that you book your tickets at the relevant times.

Single Off-Peak tickets and the outbound part of Off-Peak Return tickets must be used before 04:30 on the following morning of the date of issue. For example, if your Single Off-Peak ticket has been issued on a Wednesday, you'll need to use it before 04:30 on Thursday or your ticket won't be valid.

On a Sunday, you can use it on the Monday, but you'll have to travel during Off-Peak (non rush-hour) times. You need to use the return portion of your ticket within one month of the outward portion of your journey.

Return Train Tickets

What is a Return train ticket?

Return train tickets are valid for both an outward and return journey from the same destination on your chosen route.

You can book Return train tickets, along with all other UK train tickets and UK Railcards, on Trip.com.

How does a Return train ticket work?

It may be a good idea to check the prices for two Single ticket journeys (outward and return), as this can sometimes save you money when compared to the Return ticket option for the same journey.

There are three types of Return ticket: Anytime Return train tickets, which are flexible with no restrictions, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak, which have time restrictions and typically can't be used for travel during "rush hour," or First Class Return, where you can sit in First Class carriages.

Advance Tickets

What is an Advance train ticket?

Advance train tickets are fares that go on sale before the day of travel. They're only available as single tickets for A to B rail journeys.

You can book Advance train tickets, along with all other UK train tickets and UK Railcards, on Trip.com.

How does an Advance train ticket work?

Train companies usually release their Advance tickets 12 weeks before the departure date, so you can buy your tickets well ahead of time. They are limited in number, so be quick if you decide to book them. Note that they are non-refundable, so be sure to book when your trip is a certainty.

Season Tickets & Flexi Season Tickets

What is a Season ticket?

A Season ticket is a time-limited pass valid for unlimited travel between two designated train stations within a specified period. Season tickets are available in three main types, including Flexi (see content to the right), with two fixed tickets being:

Weekly: Valid for one week of unlimited travel between specified stations.
Monthly: Valid for one month of unlimited travel between specified stations.

You can conveniently book Weekly, Monthly, and Flexi Season Tickets on Trip.com. Digital Season tickets eliminate the need for physical tickets and can be easily accessed and securely used.

How does a Season ticket work?

Using a Season ticket offers several advantages:

Unlimited Travel: Season tickets allow unlimited travel between designated stations within the validity period.
Cost-effective: For regular commuters, purchasing a Season ticket often proves more economical compared to buying daily single or return tickets.
Long-term Savings: Season tickets are available for longer durations, such as a full year, offering substantial savings for frequent travelers between two destinations.

What is a Flexi Season ticket?

A Flexi Season ticket is a time-limited ticket between two train stations that you can use for eight days within a 28-day period. You can use this ticket at peak times, so is ideal for those traveling to work.

You can book Flexi Season - as well as Weekly and Monthly Season tickets - on Trip.com. To buy one, you don't need a photo, plus they're completely digital and easily accessible.

How does a Flexi Season ticket work?

Flexi Season tickets come as 8-day passes that you can use between two stations within this 28-day period. The 8 days you decide to use them on don't need to be specified in advance when buying.

Buying a Flexi Season ticket is often cheaper than buying daily single or return tickets.

First Class Tickets

What is a First Class train ticket?

First Class train tickets allow you to travel in the nicer First Class carriages of UK trains. First Class train tickets are particularly popular on longer journeys.

You can book First Class train tickets, along with all other UK train tickets and UK Railcards, on Trip.com.

How does a First Class train ticket work?

First Class tickets are usually the most expensive of all the types of UK train tickets. However, they can sometimes be cheaper than others if you buy in advance or during off-peak times, for example.

You can upgrade your regular tickets to First Class on certain journeys, but it has to be done before you board your train.

Anytime Train Tickets

What is an Anytime train ticket?

Anytime train tickets allow you to travel at any time of the day. You can buy Anytime Day tickets for flexible travel on a specific date, or get a standard Anytime ticket for multiple dates.

You can book Anytime train tickets, along with all other UK train tickets and UK Railcards, on Trip.com.

How does an Anytime train ticket work?

Anytime Day Single and Return tickets can only be shown on the date shown on your ticket.

The outward part of your Anytime Return train ticket is valid for five days after the date shown on the ticket. The return part is valid for one calendar month from the date of outward travel. Choose an Open Return train ticket when you aren’t sure of the exact return date.

You can break your journey while traveling with an Anytime ticket, meaning you can get off the train at any stop and leave the station, before boarding a later train to complete your journey.

GroupSave Tickets

What is a GroupSave train ticket?

A GroupSave train ticket provides a discount 1/3 for groups of adults traveling together on a single or return journey. This discount is applicable to Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets.

You can conveniently book GroupSave train tickets, along with other UK train tickets and UK Railcards, on Trip.com. The GroupSave discount will automatically appear when you book Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets for a group using the Trip.com app.

How does a GroupSave train ticket work?

Journeys must be at Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak times, and groups must be between 3 and 9 people in size.

You don’t need Railcards to travel with GroupSave tickets - all you need to do is travel together with the whole group you booked with for your tickets to be valid.

With GroupSave offering great value already, you won’t be able to apply any additional Railcard discounts to your fare. On top of this, you also won’t be able to use the GroupSave discount on First Class tickets, as it’s valid for Standard class Off-Peak bookings only.

Ranger and Rover Tickets

What are Ranger and Rover train tickets?

Ranger and Rover tickets are great value tickets that offer unlimited travel within a specified area and time period.

Ranger and Rover tickets are only available with specific train companies. Be sure to research these ticket types before booking with National Rail.

How do Ranger and Rover train tickets work?

Ranger tickets are valid for one day, or for more than one-day in a limited time period. Rover tickets are valid for more than one day within a limited time period, e.g. any four days within an eight-day period, or eight days within a 15-day period.

You can use your Network Railcard to save ⅓ on fares, and 16-17 Saver holders can get 50% off fares.

Sleeper Train Tickets

What is a sleeper train ticket?

Sleeper trains are trains that take you between your destinations overnight. They offer comfort, luxury, and practicality for those who value the journey as much as the destination.

You can book your sleeper train ticket, along with all other UK train tickets and UK Railcards, on Trip.com. Simply select your route from London Euston station to any sleeper train route from 20:00 onwards and the sleeper train options will appear.

How does a sleeper train ticket work?

Sleeper tickets are booked from a specific time in the evening and will take you directly to another, faraway part of the UK. An example of a route would be from London to Aberdeen or Inverness in Scotland.

Oyster Cards and Contactless Payment

What is an Oyster card?

UK Oyster cards are reusable, contactless smart cards used for public transport services in London. You can pre-load them with credit to quickly tap in and out at ticket barriers, making travel quick and easy.

Oyster cards are widely sold at London Underground and rail stations, as well as many shops, in Greater London. They can also be ordered online.

What is the difference between an Oyster card and using a credit or debit card?

As well as Oyster card, you can pay for London public transport with your credit or debit card.

Oyster cards offer discounted fares compared to paper tickets, and as they are loaded with credit your spending is easier to track. They also reduce the risk of theft when being used, and there is a capped fare ensuring you don't pay above a daily maximum.

Oyster cards offer users unique discounts, but as they cost £ 7 to buy and can have unused credit, your regular bank card could be preferred for short-term visits to the UK capital.