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Off-Peak Day Travelcard

The following terms and conditions apply to this type of ticket. Please note that some tickets have restrictions on the days or times you can travel. Please check before you travel.

Terms and Conditions

Description

Off-Peak fares are cheaper tickets for travelling on trains that are less busy. You may need to travel at specific times of the day, days of the week and sometimes on specific routes or operators.

The times when you may use your Off-Peak ticket will depend on the journey you are making and you will be advised when buying your ticket. The National Rail Journey Planner will automatically work out which tickets are valid for your journey.

An Off-Peak Day Travelcard allow customers to travel to London and enjoy unlimited travel throughout London on National Rail, London Underground, DLR, London Trams and London Bus services within Zones 1-6.

Single or Return

Return

Operator

  • Greater Anglia
  • Transport for Wales
  • c2c
  • Chiltern Railways
  • CrossCountry
  • East Midlands Railway
  • Great Western Railway
  • TransPennine Express
  • Gatwick Express
  • Grand Central
  • Great Northern
  • Heathrow Express
  • Hull Trains
  • Island Line
  • London Northwestern Railway
  • West Midlands Railway
  • London Overground
  • London Underground
  • Merseyrail
  • Northern
  • ScotRail
  • South Western Railway
  • Southeastern
  • Southern
  • Stansted Express
  • Elizabeth line
  • Thameslink
  • Avanti West Coast
  • LNER
  • Lumo

Standard Class Ticket Code

1DT, ODT & ODA

Availability

Purchase Location

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.

Purchase Availability

This ticket can be purchased in advance or immediately before travel.

Pre-booking Requirement

None.

Reservations Compulsory

No

No, but you can reserve a seat on many longer distance services and reservations are recommended on busy services. Please note that some train services are designated as reservation only, regardless of ticket held.

Discounts

Children

Yes

Children (aged 5 to 15 inclusive) are offered a 50% discount.

Up to two children aged under 5 can travel free with each fare paying passenger.

Railcards

Yes

1/3 off with the following Railcards:

  • Disabled Persons Railcard

  • Veterans Railcard

  • Family & Friends Railcard (minimum 1 Adult and 1 Child)

  • HM Forces Railcard

  • Senior Railcard

  • Two Together Railcard

  • 16-25 Railcard

  • 26-30 Railcard

50% discount for 16-17 Saver and Job Centre Plus Travel Discount Card holders.

See terms & conditions of individual Railcard for time restrictions.

General Conditions

Off-Peak Day tickets may require you to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route. Website journey planners can tell you when your ticket can be used - simply enter your outward and return journey times to see the trains you can travel on. If you board a train at a time when your Off-Peak ticket is not valid, you will be charged the difference between the fare you have paid and the cheapest valid fare for the service concerned.  In some circumstances you may have to pay a penalty fare.  

All tickets and travel are subject to the National Rail Conditions of Travel.

Outward Journey

Day Of Travel

Off-Peak Day Travelcards are valid for travel on the date shown on the ticket and until 04:29 the following morning. All travel must be completed by this time.

Time Of Travel

The National Rail Journey Planner will automatically work out which tickets are valid for your journey. 

The times when you may use your Off-Peak ticket are indicated by a Restriction Code applicable to the journey you are making. This can be viewed by clicking the link from the Journey Planner ticket terms and conditions page once you have made your selection.

The Restriction Code is a two character (alpha-numeric) code. This is shown on most tickets and the meaning can be found by going to www.nationalrail.co.uk/XX [where 'XX' is the two character code].

You will also be advised of the restriction when buying your ticket.

Break Of Journey

Break of journey is permitted unless otherwise indicated by a restriction shown against the ticket's Restriction Code.

Within the London Fares Zones, the ticket is valid for unlimited travel.

Return Journey

Day Of Travel

Off-Peak Day Travelcards are valid for travel on the date shown on the ticket and until 04:29 the following morning. All travel must be completed by this time.

Time Of Travel

The National Rail Journey Planner will automatically work out which tickets are valid for your journey. 

The times when you may use your Off-Peak ticket are indicated by a Restriction Code applicable to the journey you are making. This can be viewed by clicking the link from the Journey Planner ticket terms and conditions page once you have made your selection.

The Restriction Code is a two character (alpha-numeric) code. This is shown on most tickets and the meaning can be found by going to www.nationalrail.co.uk/XX [where 'XX' is the two character code].

You will also be advised of the restriction when buying your ticket.

Break Of Journey

Break of journey is permitted unless otherwise indicated by a restriction shown against the ticket's Restriction Code.

Within the London Fares Zones, the ticket is valid for unlimited travel.

Refunds

For tickets purchased until 31 March 2026:

Your ticket is refundable. If you decide not to use your ticket to make all or part of your intended journey then you can get a refund by returning your unused ticket to the ticket office or place of purchase (for tickets bought via websites, telesales or travel agents) within 28 days of the ticket expiry date.

You may be required to pay an administration fee (up to a maximum of £5 per ticket). The refund amount will normally take into account any use you have made of the ticket and in some circumstances no refund will be paid.

For tickets purchased from 1 April 2026:

Refundable until 23:59 the day before the ticket becomes valid for travel.

Not refundable once the ticket has become valid for travel unless Condition 30 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel (failure of train service) applies.

In exceptional circumstances a refund may be considered on unused or part-used tickets that have become valid for travel. In such cases an application must be made to the retailer within 28 days of the expiry date of the ticket and should include the reason for non-use. Additional evidence may be requested, refunds will be on a discretionary basis, and any use made of the ticket may mean that in some circumstances no refund will be due.

Refunds are only available from the retailer that sold the tickets.

An administration fee (up to a maximum of £5 per ticket) may be applied.

Changes To Travel Plans

A ticket will need to be changed in order to travel to a destination further than where it was purchased to, change the route of the ticket, change the class of travel from Standard Class to First Class, change the date of travel, or change the time you are allowed to travel.

Changes to tickets purchased online should be made by the retailer from which the ticket was bought. Staffed station ticket offices can also make changes in most cases, provided that this is done before the start of the journey.

NOTE: A change to the date of travel can only be made BEFORE the date on which the ticket becomes valid for travel. Other alterations such as changes to the route or class of travel will be subject to a suitable alternative product being available. In some cases, it may be cheaper to purchase a new ticket.

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