Advance train tickets

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

Availability

Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. They are sold in limited numbers and so subject to availability.

Discounts

• Standard Class: Child discounts, 16-25, Family & Friends, Senior, HM Forces and Disabled Persons Railcards discounts apply.
• First Class: Child discounts, 16-25, Senior, HM Forces and Disabled Persons Railcards discounts apply.    

When and where the ticket can be used?

• Tickets are valid ONLY on the date and train service(s) shown on the ticket(s).
• Where applicable, you must travel in the Class and reserved seat(s) shown on the ticket(s).
• Tickets may only be used on the services of the Train Company (or geographic route where applicable) shown next to 'Route' on the ticket.
• 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.
• If the route is prefixed with a *, the ticket includes the cost of travelling across London on London Underground, Docklands Light Railway or First Capital Connect (Thameslink Route) services as appropriate to the journey.

Conditions of use

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

Break of journey

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.

Changing the time or date of travel

• 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.
• 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.
• The origin, destination and Train Company or route shown on the ticket(s) must remain the same.
• The difference between the price paid and cost of the next suitable fare for your journey is payable, plus a £10 administration fee 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.

Refunds

• Your ticket is non-refundable.
• If the train you purchased a ticket for is cancelled or delayed by more than 60 minutes, special arrangements will be made to accommodate you on another train (although a seat cannot be guaranteed). If, 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.
• Passengers are eligible for fee-free refunds and fee-free changes of journey should
  their journey be affected due to service disruptions or cancellations, including any periods of
  future industrial action.

Book with Confidence - now ended

• The national “Book with Confidence” easement has now ended. This was introduced during the pandemic for passengers booking ahead, and ending this easement brings the rail industry in line with other transport industries that have also reinstated pre-pandemic ticket conditions.
• Customers who buy an Advance ticket up to and including 30 November 2022 will continue to have the Book with Confidence easement to Advance terms until 18:00 the day before their ticket is valid for travel.
• After 30 November 2022, any new ticket issued as a result of a change to a ticket that is covered by Book with Confidence will be subject to the ticket terms that apply from 01 December 2022 onwards. 
• Rail Travel Vouchers issued by retailers through the Book with Confidence easement will continue to be valid for future purchases for a maximum of 12 months from the date of issue. 

Advance purchase tickets are released 12 weeks before the service departure, with the cheaper fares available when booked earlier in the booking window. Fares will increase over time and be more expensive on the day of travel. 

Advance tickets are limited in numbers and subject to availability. Our busiest services are likely to have much less advance purchase availability. Northern always encourages customers to purchase tickets before the day of departure to maximise savings.

We have recently added thousands of new fares across our network, making Advance Purchase more accessible for customers than ever before. We recognise Advance tickets are currently not available from every station, but we regularly collect feedback and implement new fares at stations based on customer demand.  

Customers who are unable to purchase tickets digitally can purchase Advance tickets from ticket offices from 12 weeks to 1 day before travel. Advance Purchase will not be available to purchase from Ticket Offices on the day of departure but remain available from TVMs, the website and the Northern App.

Please visit National Rail to find out the list of dates currently available for booking our Advance tickets.

Advance tickets can be used alongside most Railcards – Check TIS or Railcard T&Cs for details.

Customers can not start, break and resume, or end their journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s).

Advance tickets are TOC (Train Operating Company), date and time specific, and are only eligible to use on the service shown on the ticket. If a customer is found travelling on a different service to that shown on the ticket(s), they may be liable to pay a penalty fare of £100.

Advance Purchase tickets are 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 any unused tickets.

You can swap the departure time of your Advanced train ticket for another same-day Northern service. You can make the changes one day in advance right up to 15 minutes before your original train departs. 

Visit the train swap website to change your ticket.