Buy Before You Board
Blowing the whistle on ticketless travel
No ticket. No excuse.
Failure to present a ticket could result in a penalty fare notice of up to £100 or prosecution.
Buying a ticket before you travel is easy and can be done online, via our app, or at the station ticket vending machines and ticket office.
Ticketless travel costs the UK rail industry £200 million per year, that’s money which could go towards improving standards and services. Travelling without a valid ticket is a criminal offence and if caught offenders face a penalty fare of £100 and a potential criminal record.
2019 saw 49,884 penalty fare notices issued across the Northern network, with 4,904 passengers convicted in the Magistrates Court.
See below for information to help choose the best ticket for you.
Advance
Save up to 65% when you buy tickets in advance
Duo
Save 25% with DUO tickets when travelling together
Save on the Day
Get a cheaper ticket up to 15 minutes before you travel
Smart cards
The easiest and fastest way for peak commuters to buy tickets
Off-peak tickets
Lower prices at quieter times. Great for getting the best deal
When could you be charged
You could be subject to a Penalty Fare if you travel without a valid ticket, are aged over 16 but travelling on a child-rate ticket or travel beyond the destination on your ticket.
What if you can't buy before you board?
If you arrive at an unstaffed station and do not have the facility to pay by credit/debit card, you can obtain a promise to pay notice from the ticket vending machine. This will allow you to board the train and exchange the notice at the first opportunity with a conductor or at the next ticket office.
Where can I find out more?
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.