National Rail

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We all know how expensive travel can be, but you could secure great deals on your long-distance rail journeys by booking in advance. Advance train tickets are, of course, tickets that you can buy before the date of travel. They're Single tickets sold for both Standard and First Class seats, usually made available 12 weeks before departure. 

You can mix and match Single fares for the cheapest possible return journey. Just be aware that Advance train tickets aren't flexible. In other words, once you buy your Advance tickets, you’re usually tied to the exact trains and dates shown. 

As a bonus, you can use your Railcard for further discounts. So, if you have a student, senior, child or disabled person’s Railcard you can look forward to even cheaper train tickets to a range of wonderful destinations. 

Learn more about Advance train tickets. 

Perfect for when your schedule isn’t quite set in stone, Anytime train tickets are flexible train tickets that let you take full control of exactly when you’ll be making your journey. 

Anytime tickets are split into four types — Anytime Day Single, Anytime Day Return, Anytime Single and Anytime Return. These tickets let you travel either on a specified date or multiple dates. You can book Anytime train tickets in advance, right up to the same day of travel. 

Learn more about Anytime train tickets. 

If you’re commuting to work twice a week, a Flexi Season ticket is the perfect option for you. Benefits of buying a Flexi Season ticket include:

• Unlimited travel between two stations.
• Flexibility to travel when you need within 28 days.
• Travel at any time of day.
• No need to get a Smartcard if barcode tickets are available on your route.

Find out more about Flexi Season tickets.

Off-Peak tickets are an excellent option for passengers who can be flexible with their travel. Journeys are restricted to certain time slots, normally avoiding the busier morning and evening commuting periods. 

If you're a bargain hunter, this is the ticket for you. Weekends and bank holidays give you the chance to buy Super Off-Peak tickets for many of your favourite destinations. You can even use a Railcard for an extra 1/3 off the price, or enjoy First Class seating for less by booking an Off-Peak train! 

Find out more about Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets. 

The ultimate way to travel. Arrive in style with a First Class train ticket. There are so many perks in store for those who upgrade, from extra-wide seats with extended legroom, to complimentary snacks and drinks. And, although not all services offer all these perks, you may even get access to free WiFi, plug-in points and hot meals, as well as First Class lounges at certain stations. 

Onboard, you’ll often have a table with space for your laptop, making on-the-go work a breeze, while the quiet atmosphere makes for a relaxing experience whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure. So, use your time productively or kick back and relax with First Class train tickets. 

Learn more about First Class train tickets. 

Return tickets combine your two train journeys, outward and return, into a single ticket. You can either choose to depart and return on specific dates or opt for an Open Return ticket, which gives you more flexibility on travel dates. Day Return tickets require you to travel back on the same day, and First Class Return tickets allow you to sit in the First Class carriage for both your outward and return journey. 

Find out more about Return train tickets. 

Ideal for commuters, Season tickets offer unlimited travel between two given stations on a weekly, monthly, 28 day (Flexi) or annual basis. You can even specify a custom duration for a Season ticket if none of those periods fit your schedule. Using a Season Ticket can save you over 1/3 compared to buying peak daily return tickets 5 days a week. All you'll need to get started is a valid Photocard. 

Find out more about Season Tickets. 

Our top tips for securing cheaper train tickets include keeping an eye on when Advance tickets are released and booking as far ahead as you possibly can. Alternatively, you can sometimes secure a cheaper fare by booking two single journey tickets rather than a return ticket. 

Find out more about cheap train tickets. 

GroupSave is a type of train ticket discount for those travelling in groups of three to nine people. They're ideal if you want to travel with friends or family (excluding child tickets), as they could help you get as much as 34% off the cost of your fares. Score! 

Find out more about GroupSave train tickets. 

Ever found yourself scrambling for a last-minute train ticket and wondered if you’re paying over the odds? Well, worry not! With our nifty money-saving tools there’s no need to fret about ticket prices, even if it’s at the last possible moment. Use our Journey Planner to search for tickets, and we’ll always highlight the cheapest fares for the time you’ve selected. Alternatively, with the Trainline app, you can save money right up to the last second by using our advance purchase on-the-day feature. 

Learn more about last-minute train tickets. 

Flexible tickets (Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak and Anytime tickets)

These types of tickets can be refunded online for a fee.

You have 28 days from expiry of the ticket to request a refund and return your ticket. If you have a mobile ticket and it has already been activated, you can no longer claim a refund on that journey.

Advance Single ticket

Advance Single tickets cannot be refunded but they can be changed.

Changes are only allowed for a different time/date of travel, so you need to stick to the same departure and arrival stations. Visit this page for more information on changing.

SplitSave

Similar rules apply to a combination of tickets.

The Flexible tickets can be refunded. The Advance Single tickets can only be changed. However, if you have a combination of Advance and Flexible then all the tickets can be changed.

If you originally got your ticket by calling our contact centre then we charge a set £5 fee.

For tickets bought online or using our apps, the refund fee is based on the value of the ticket that is being cancelled. The breakdown of refund fees for tickets bought online or using our apps is as follows:

Ticket Value	Refund Fee
Up to £1.99	No fee
£2 to £2.99	£1.00
£3 to £3.99	£1.50
£4 to £4.99	£2.00
£5 to £5.99	£3.00
£6 to £6.99	£4.00
>£7	£5.00

Refund for a cancelled train

If your train is cancelled, you can use your existing ticket to travel on the next available service:

• Advance Singles – hop on the next available train with the same train operator.
• Flexible tickets – such as Off-Peak and Anytime tickets offer flexibility and you can travel at various times of the day.

Remember to check the conditions of your ticket in case you can only travel with a certain operator/route.

If you can't take the next train or decide not to travel, you’ll be entitled to a refund.

The quickest and easiest way to refund your ticket is to do it online. Log in to My Bookings, select your booking, and click on refund tickets.

Compensation for a delayed train

If your train was delayed but you still managed to complete your journey, then a ticket refund is not available. However, the train operators themselves do offer compensation. Please see this article on how to claim compensation.

If you have an account:

1. Find your booking on our website in My Bookings or within our App under 'My Tickets'.
2. Select 'Refund my tickets'.

If you don’t have an account:

1. Find your confirmation email and click ‘Manage booking’.
2. Follow the steps above to request a refund.

Refunds can take an average of 3-5 days to process. You can check the status of your refund in your account. Here's a guide to what the statuses mean:

• Refunded/ Refund Approved: You've done everything you need to and your refund is on the way back to you, it will appear in your account within 5 days.
• Refund Processing/ Refund: Action Required – Before we can process your refund we may need you to return your tickets.
• Refund Rejected: We’re unable to refund your tickets. This could be because you've scanned your e-ticket or activated your Mobile Ticket.