Education Season Tickets

The best discount available is off an annual child season. This gives a further 50% off the child price. The tickets are best purchased ready for September , but are available all year round, so whenever you buy thats 365 days of travel at a great price. If you are not sure about an annual ticket we do offer term time tickets, however, the dicount is much lower at 25% off child prices. These tickets are only available September, December and March and must be renewed each term. 

No need to worry, our partnership with Transpennine Express means we will now allow 50% discount for annual tickets for all students in full time education until they are 18.

Click here for a list of participating schools. If your school is not on the list email [email protected] for further information.

If a passenger gets on a train without a ticket or promise to pay notice at a station where ticket buying facilities are available, they may be liable to pay a Penalty Fare. The penalty is the greater of £20 or twice the full single from the station where they got on the train to the next station at which the train stops. If the passenger wants to travel beyond the next station, they must also pay the relevant fare from that station to their destination. If you refuse to pay the Penalty Fare, then you may be prosecuted under criminal law. Full details about Penalty Fares can be found here.

We will replace free of charge except for postage and a small admin fee of £10. The lost card will then be blocked for further use. 

The photo ID for your child will work in conjunction with the ticket that we provide. This will allow us to check that the ticket is valid and being used correctly. You must have a rail network photo ID to be able to travel.  If you already have one then input the number in the online form - this will have 3 letters and 4 numbers (this is not the smart card number and cannot be used instead)  If you don't have a photo ID please upload a photo on the form and the team will send one out with your ticket.

Your child will need to carry their Photo ID card even if they have a Smart card.

Tickets will be issued up to 5 working days from receipt of the order.  If you haven't received your ticket before the start date requested, please contact [email protected]

An Annual Season Ticket will be valid from the date chosen on the application and will be valid for 1 year (365 days)*.

For any queries regarding validity of term time ticket, please email [email protected] for further information.

Yes - please download the form and take to the station. Please note that the discount will be lower than purchasing the ticket online.

Tickets can only be purchased online through the application form. 

Complete application form

The Education Season Ticket is a blue smart card which can be scanned during ticket inspection and on platform gates. To be valid, it needs to be accompanied with a valid photocard (see examples below). The photocard is valid until the end of secondary education, or 4 months after child turns 16, whichever date is latest however should be updated as the child’s features begin to change. To update the photocard or if the photo card or smart card is misplaced, please email [email protected] for a free replacement.

No you must be in possession of a valid ticket and photocard. The opportunity to buy opens in the month prior to the school term giving plenty of time to order and receive. 

We can do a changeover ticket and just charge or refund the difference. 

Just contact us at [email protected].

No its completely free to schools and parents.

• Annual ticket saving 50% on an annual Northern only child season ticket.
• Term time ticket saving up to 25% off the typical Northern only child season ticket for the same time period.
• Annual ticket term for the full year.  
• An Annual Season Ticket will be valid from the date chosen on the application and will be valid for 1 year (365 days).
• Term ticket tickets for the Autumn term from September to December.
• For any student turning 16 within the school year an annual ticket can be bought during the Autumn sales window which will be valid until the end of the year.
• All students must have a valid photocard and be aged 11-16 to claim the discount, see the application form for full details.
• All tickets are subject to availability.  
• Education Season tickets can only be bought online at https://northernrailway.co.uk/education.
• School must be part of the scheme for tickets to be available. If the school is not on the participating schools list but would like to be please email [email protected].

Terms of use

Tickets are valid in the evenings, at weekends and during the school holidays for the length of the ticket validity.  

The price of each term throughout the academic year is the same irrespective of ticket length.

The named student must be in possession of a valid railway photocard and student ID when travelling- this will be required as proof of identity on request by authorised railway staff.

The care of the ticket is the responsibility of the student. Your school or Northern cannot take any responsibility for any losses arising from theft, loss or damage.

Full terms and conditions can be found here at northernrailway.co.uk/legal/terms-and-conditions.

Renewals and Lost Tickets

A duplicate season ticket can be administered at a cost of £10 plus £2.40 for postage and packaging. Please contact [email protected].