Buy Advance, in advance, and save £££s

Book with Confidence The rail industry have introduced an easement to the terms & conditions of Advance tickets sold by Train Operating Companies, to help you gain confidence in travelling by rail again. Between Monday 21 June and 31 December 2021, Advance tickets can be exchanged to travel on the same journey but at a different time or date, paying any difference in fare but fee-free or surrended back to the retailer for a rail travel voucher which can be used on any future journey or purchase within 12 months. Changes must be requested no later than 6pm (18:00) the day before you are due to travel. After this, Advance tickets can still be changed up to the departure of the first booked train for a fee. Check with your ticket retailer to find out if they are participating in the Book with Confidence scheme.

Advance Tickets

Advance fares are single (one-way) tickets offering great value for money on many longer distance journeys.

You must book in advance* of travel 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.

*details on Advance booking thresholds can be found on our Latest purchase time page

Advance Ticket Validity

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 (see 'Book with Confidence' above for exclusions).

Discount with Advance Tickets

• Child discounts apply for all Advance fares (50% of Adult fare)
• National Railcard holders get 34% off all Standard Class Advance fares.
• 16-25, 26-30, Senior, Two Together, HM Forces, Veterans, and Disabled Persons Railcard holders also get 34% off all First Class Advance fares
• 16-17 Saver holders also get 50% off Adult Advance fares

Advance Ticket Terms & Conditions

Advance tickets are a great way to save money, if you know when you are travelling, but there are a few conditions that go with their use.

• View full Terms & Conditions of Advance tickets.

Other National Rail Tickets

If you need a bit more flexibility in your travel, you can 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
• Plan your journey with our Journey Planner
• More information on buying rail tickets can be found on our Buying Tickets page