Advance Ticket
Buy in advance and save £s
What are Advance tickets?
Advance fares are Single (one-way) tickets offering great value for money on many longer distance journeys.
You must book in advance* and fares are sold in limited numbers and so subject to availability. In general, the further ahead you book, the cheaper the Advance fare will be. You can mix and match Advance fares for a return journey. For more information see our Buying advance tickets and Reserving seats page.

When can I use an Advance ticket?
Advance fares are valid only on the date and train shown on the ticket and seat reservation and are non-refundable.
You can however change the time or date of travel before departure of the first reserved train.
Any difference in fare and an administration fee will be payable prior to travel.
Can I get a discount?
- Child discounts apply for all Advance fares.
- National Railcard holders get 1/3 off all Standard Class Advance fares.
- 16-25, Senior, Two Together, HM Forces and Disabled Persons Railcard holders also get 1/3 off all First Class Advance fares.
What are the Terms & Conditions of Advance tickets?
View full terms and conditions of Advance fares.
Other tickets
Find out about:
- Anytime tickets - buy anytime, travel anytime
- Off-Peak tickets - buy in anytime, travel off-peak
More information...
- For more information on tickets and fares visit our Ticket Types page.
- More information on buying rail tickets can be found on our Buying Tickets page.
- Plan your journey with our Journey Planner.
- Still can't find an answer - why not 'Ask Lisa', our Virtual Assistant?
- c2c,
- Chiltern Railways,
- CrossCountry,
- East Midlands Trains,
- Eurostar,
- Gatwick Express,
- Grand Central,
- Great Western Railway,
- Greater Anglia,
- Heathrow Connect,
- Heathrow Express,
- Hull Trains,
- Island Line,
- London North Eastern Railway,
- London Overground,
- Merseyrail,
- Northern,
- Rail Delivery Group,
- ScotRail,
- South Western Railway,
- Southeastern,
- Southern,
- Stansted Express,
- TransPennine Express,
- Transport for Wales,
- Virgin Trains,
- West Midlands Trains
Last updated: 18 September 2018