Education Season Tickets

If your child is under 16, the best discount available is 40% off an annual child season. The under 16s annual season ticket is valid for 365 days and your child can travel between the chosen stations anytime.

If your child is 16 or turns 16 in the school year (Year 11), you'll still save 40% off the price of an annual child season ticket. However, the ticket is only valid to the end of the school year (July).

If your child is over 16 and in full-time education (Year 12 & 13), you can still take advantage of great savings with 50% off an adult annual season ticket. This ticket is valid for the school year, September to July, and can only be used for travelling to and from their place of education.

A Year 11 Annual ticket is available that will ensure your child is covered until the end of the academic year in July, or they are 16 and 4 months whichever is the latest.

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

If your child (or any member of the public) 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. 

You won't need to buy another ticket, however, you will need to let the team know. To get a replacement ticket, you'll need to pay an admin fee of £10, plus the cost of postage.

The lost card will then be blocked for further use.

If your child has lost their ticket, contact the team on [email protected] and they'll get a replacement sorted.

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 7-10 working days from receipt of the order.  If you haven't received your ticket before the start date requested, please contact [email protected]

An under 16 annual season ticket will be valid from the date chosen on the application and will be valid for 1 year (365 days).

Over 16s and up to 18 season tickets are valid for the school year only - from July to September - and are for travel to and from your child's place of education only.

Term time tickets are valid for the school term only, dates vary, please contact the team to confirm.

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

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

Education seasons form 

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.

Education Season tickets – Terms and Conditions:

• Valid for all students in full-time education* up to the age of 18.
• The education season ticket is a discounted ticket that allows those in full time education, who go to a place of education daily, to travel cost effectively. In some circumstances the ticket is issued to those who are over 16. However, being in possession of the ticket does not allow the bearer to purchase child tickets for any other purpose and an adult ticket must be purchased.
• Annual ticket saving up to 40% off the typical annual child season ticket for under 16’s. Eg. Dalton to Barrow-in-Furness Annual Child Full fare £410 Annual Education Season £246. For those 17-18 the discount is 50% of an adult fare. Dalton to Barrow-in-Furness Annual Adult Full fare £820 Annual Education Season for over 16’s £410.
• Term time ticket saving up to 25% off the typical child season ticket for the term time period for under 16’s. For those 17-18 there is no term time ticket available only annuals.
• An Annual Season Ticket for under 16s will be valid from the date chosen on the application and will be valid for 1 year (365 days). For those 17-18 the Annual Season will commence September and finish in July. Travel outside these dates or for the purpose other than to attend their place of education will need a 16-17 Railcard (or other appropriate railcard) to get discounted adult prices.
• Term tickets are available for the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms. Term dates do apply and are subject to change. Please check when purchasing.
• Tickets are valid to use between the two stations stated on the ticket.
• All students must have a valid railway photocard, be in full time education and be aged 11-18 to claim the relevant discount, see the application form for full details.
• All tickets are subject to availability.
• Education Season tickets can be bought online at northernrailway.co.uk/education
• Education season tickets for under 16’s only can also be purchased at Northern ticket offices.

A list of participating schools is available to check online, view the list of participating schools here. If the school is not on the participating schools list but would like to be please email [email protected]

Terms of use;

• Tickets for under 16s are valid in the evenings, at weekends and during the school holidays for the length of the ticket validity and between the two stations shown. For 17-18 year olds they are valid only for the journey to and from the place of education.
• The named student must be in possession of a valid railway photocard 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.

Renewals and Lost Tickets;

• For tickets purchased online a duplicate season ticket can be administered at a cost of £10 plus the relevant cost for first class signed for postage and packaging. Please contact [email protected].
• For tickets issued at stations duplicates are only available from the station.

* Typically full time education is A levels/Sixth Form education and not college courses. Please check before you buy with our team [email protected].

Terms and conditions can be found here: northernrailway.co.uk/legal/terms-conditions.