Airport Advance - Southern and Thameslink

Southern/Thameslink Airport Advance tickets can be sold at Ticket Offices and Travel Centres, self-service ticket machines at stations, rail-appointed travel agents, online at most train company websites or through other online retailers or train company telesales offices.

Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel and are subject to availability.

They are not available for purchase on the day of travel.

These tickets will be available for travel on dates from Sunday 13th December 2026.

Ticket must be booked before departure.

Tickets sold subject to availability.

Not available on day of travel.

Advance Tickets

Advance tickets are valid only for the date and train service or services shown on your ticket.

In the event of a delay during your journey, you may use the next available service(s) to complete your journey, including with other operators where appropriate.

Railcards

If you're travelling on a discounted ticket with a Railcard, you must carry your valid Railcard with you when you travel. Failure to present a valid Railcard will result in the need to purchase a new ticket.

See Special Conditions for details of additional validity in the event of flight delays.

Flight Delays - Airport Advance Tickets

If you are travelling on an Airport Advance ticket from Gatwick Airport or Luton Airport and your flight is delayed, the following special concession applies:

• You may take the next available train(s) to your destination.

• This concession is valid for up to 2 hours after your original train's departure time.

• You must continue to use the same operator's services: e.g. a Thameslink only ticket can't be used on Gatwick Express services.

• Customers are not permitted to travel on an earlier service than the one booked.

Date shown on ticket.

Train service specified on ticket.

Customers may not start, break and resume or end their journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Advance are single tickets only.

Advance Tickets are non-refundable, unless Section 30.1 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel applies.

Special arrangements apply for Airport Advance tickets when a passenger's flight has been delayed by up to 2 hours. See "Special Conditions" for more information.

Changes to time or date of travel must be arranged before departure of the first reserved train printed on the ticket, after which the ticket has no value and a new must be purchased. Customers will need to present the ticket(s) and reservation(s) when they request a change.

Changes to tickets cannot be made on board the train. If customers board a train without a reservation for that service, a new ticket(s) must be purchased.

The origin, destination and Train company or route shown on the original tickets must be the same as the new tickets required.

The difference between the price paid and the cost of the next of the next suitable fare for the journey is payable, plus a £10 administration fee per person, per single ticket for each change to a journey. If the customer(s) change to a train where a cheaper fare is available, the difference will not be refunded, but the administration charge is still applicable.