Anytime train tickets

Anytime tickets are flexible train fares that allow you to buy at any time and travel any time between your chosen stations with no time restrictions.

If you need complete flexibility in your travel times, an Anytime ticket is perfect.

Anytime tickets have no restrictions on the time of day that you can travel. With Anytime Single tickets, you can travel on any train on the date of travel booked. You can also break up your journey at stations along your route.

Buying an Anytime Return train ticket gives you even more freedom! Outward journeys must be made within 5 days of the date shown on your ticket and return journeys within one calendar month. Because they allow you complete flexibility in terms of when you travel, Anytime tickets are more expensive than Advance or Off-Peak. However, if you buy train tickets online with Northern, you can see all the ticket types available - so if you need to book a cheap train ticket you may choose to select Advance or Off-Peak rail ticket instead of an Anytime fare.

There are a number of Anytime options, the most suitable of which will be dependent on your planned travel itinerary. These include:

Anytime Day Single or Return

Anytime Day Singles and Returns are available on many shorter journeys and can be used between two designated stations at anytime of the day on the date shown on the ticket.

Anytime Return

An Anytime Return (also known as an an Open Return) ticket allows you to travel out on the date shown on the ticket, or within five days, and back at any time within one calendar month of the date shown.

Buying your Anytime ticket

Online

Simply enter your journey details into the 'Train tickets and times' search engine on the right of this page to find Anytime fares available. You can receive your tickets by First Class post (please allow seven days for delivery); or collect your pre-paid tickets from ticket vending machines (TVMs) at participating stations.

Buy tickets 

From Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) at participating stations

The TVMs sell a range of tickets for popular destinations for immediate use and accept most credit/ debit cards as well as cash. Check individual ticket restrictions when purchasing your ticket to be sure that it is valid for your journey.

From station ticket offices

You can buy the full range of tickets from staffed ticket offices. Our ticket offices will accept all major credit/debit cards, cash, National Rail vouchers and rail warrants.

On train

Northern operates a number of stations where tickets have to be bought from the conductor aboard the train as no ticket office or TVM's are provided.

Other flexible ticket options 

Purchasing a Northern Season ticket offers a great way to save money if you travel the same journey regularly. 

• For 1 day per week, try Daily tickets
• For 2-3 days per week, try a Flexi Season ticket
• For 3-5 or more, save more with a Season ticket

Discounts on Anytime tickets

There are some discounts available:

• For a child aged 5 to 15, a discount of 50% applies to all Anytime fares
• If you have a 16-17 Saver Railcard, you can get 50% off adult Anytime fares
• If you have a National Railcard you can get 1/3 off Standard Class Anytime fares

Please note that minimum fares and time restrictions may apply to tickets bought with some Railcards.

Find out more about our Railcards.