Buy Before You Board

What if you can’t buy before you board?

If the ticket office is closed, you cannot buy a ticket online, and you only have cash to buy a ticket from the ticket machine, you can collect a Promise to Pay notice from the ticket machines.

This notice is valid for up to four hours from the time it’s issued and permits you to board your train. Simply show it to the conductor to purchase a ticket or exchange it at the next available ticket office.

When could you be charged?

If you travel without a valid ticket or a Promise to Pay notice, you may receive a Penalty Fare, including:

• Travelling with a ticket that isn't valid for that service
• You’re 16 or over but using a child ticket
• You travel further than the destination printed on your ticket
• You have booked using a railcard that is incorrect or has expired
• You are travelling with no ticket or Promise to Pay, when there were facilities available.

Penalty fares are:

• Standard Penalty Fare: £100 plus the cost of a single ticket for your journey
• If you pay within 21 days: £50 plus the single fare.

Want to know more?

The link on the button below explains how Penalty Fares work, where they apply, and the different ways you can buy your ticket when travelling on Northern services.

Find out more about penalty fares

Choosing the right ticket for you

Booking ahead can save you up to 60% on the standard fare. Our Advance tickets offer the lowest available prices for one-way journeys. They’re limited, so the earlier you book, the better the deal!