Advance Tickets Terms and Conditions

1. Description

1.1 Advance tickets are single (one-way) tickets for selected journeys available in First Class and Standard Class, offering the best available price for each journey.

2. Availability

2.1 Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. Please check with your train company for Advance purchase cut-off times. 

2.2 Cut-off times may differ depending on the operator you are planning to travel with so customers are advised to check the National Rail Journey Planner before travel. A number of train companies now offer Advance on the day; with Advance tickets available for purchase up to 10 minutes before departure of the train.

2.3 Advance tickets are sold in limited numbers and so subject to availability.

In general, the further ahead you book, the cheaper the Advance fare will be.

3. Discounts

• Child Rate Discounts: available for Standard Class and First Class

• 16-25 Railcard: available for Standard Class and First Class

• Senior Railcard: available for Standard Class and First Class

• Family & Friends Railcard: available for Standard Class

• Two Together Railcard: available for Standard Class and First Class

• Disabled Persons Railcard: available for Standard Class and First Class

• Network Railcard: not available

• HM Forces Railcard: available for Standard Class and First Class

4. When and where the ticket can be used

4.1 Tickets are valid ONLY on the date and train service(s) shown on the ticket(s). 

4.2 Where applicable, you must travel in the Class and reserved seat(s) shown on the ticket(s). 

4.3 Tickets may only be used on the services of the Train Company (or geographic route where applicable) shown next to ‘Route’ on the ticket. 

4.4 If the ‘Route’ also states ‘and Connections’, travel is allowed on appropriate connecting trains where shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary. 

4.5 If the route is prefixed with a cross (+), the ticket includes the cost of travelling across London on London Underground, Docklands Light Railway or Thameslink services as appropriate to the journey.

5. Conditions of use

5.1 You must be at the departure station shown on your ticket in good time to catch the train.  If you miss the first train on which you are booked for any reason, a new ticket must be purchased. 

5.2 If delays occur while travelling, you will be allowed to take the next available train(s) to complete your journey. 

5.3 Railcard holders travelling on a discounted ticket must carry their Railcard when they travel. If a Railcard holder fails to produce a valid Railcard with their ticket, a new ticket must be purchased as if no Railcard and/or no ticket were held. 

5.4 First Class Advance tickets do not always grant access to First Class Lounges at stations. Please check with the train company you are travelling with to confirm policy at specific stations.

6. Break of journey

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

7. Changing the time or date of travel

7.1 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 one must be purchased. You will need to present the ticket(s) and reservation(s) when you request a change. 

7.2 Changes to tickets cannot be made on-board the train. If you board a train without a ticket and reservation for that service, a new ticket must be purchased. Depending on the Train Company you are travelling with, you may be liable to a Penalty Fare if you board the train with an invalid ticket. 

7.3 The origin, destination and Train Company or route shown on the ticket(s) must remain the same. 

7.4 The difference between the price paid and cost of the next suitable fare for your journey is payable, plus an administration fee of £10 per person, per single ticket for each change to a journey. If you change to a train on which a cheaper fare is available, the difference will not be refunded.

8. Refunds

8.1 Your ticket is non-refundable. However, if the train you purchased a ticket for is cancelled or delayed and as a result you decide not to travel a refund will be offered on completely unused tickets and you will not be charged an administration fee. 

8.2 Whilst there are no refunds on Advance tickets in most cases you can change your journey prior to travel (up to departure) for a £10 fee plus any difference in the fare payable. However, please note that if you choose (where offered) to print your tickets at home or download them to your mobile device, different rules apply and you may not be able to subsequently change your ticket. The relevant conditions will be made clear when buying your ticket. 

8.3 There may be rare occasions where the cheaper Advance fare becomes available closer to the time of travel, for example if a group booking is cancelled and extra seats become available. Please note that in these circumstances Advance tickets that have already been bought cannot be refunded in part or in full. 

8.4 If the train you purchased a ticket for is cancelled or is delayed and you still decide to travel, special arrangements will be made to accommodate you on another train (although a seat cannot be guaranteed).