Education Season Tickets

The best discount available is 50% off an annual child season for anyone under 16 or in Year 11. This gives a further 50% off the child price. If your child is in full time education ( ie Year 12 & 13) you can still take advantage of  great savings with 50% of an Adult annual season ticket. The annual tickets are available all year round, so whenever you buy that’s 365 days of travel at one great price.

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] for further information.

If a passenger 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. 

We will replace free of charge except for postage and a small admin fee of £10. The lost card will then be blocked for further use. 

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

An Annual Season Ticket will be valid from the date chosen on the application and will be valid for 1 year (365 days)*.

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

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

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.

• 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 50% off the typical annual child season ticket for under 16’s. Eg. Dalton to Barrow-in-Furness Annual Child Full fare £392 Annual Education Season £196. For those 17-18 the discount is 50% of an adult fare. Dalton to Barrow-in-Furness Annual Adult Full fare £784 Annual Education Season for over 16’s £392.
• Term time ticket saving up to 25% off a child season ticket for the term duration for under 16’s. For those 17-18 the discount is 25% of an adult fare for the term duration.
• An Annual Season Ticket will be valid from the date chosen on the application and will be valid for 1 year (365 days)
• 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 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 https://northernrailway.co.uk/education
• Education season tickets for under 16’s only can also be purchased at Northern ticket offices, however, different discounts apply to annual tickets (40%)
• A list of participating schools is on the website. If the school is not on the participating schools list but would like to be please email [email protected]
• Terms of use;
  • Tickets are valid anytime (ie. evenings, at weekends and during the school holidays)
  • 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 £2.75 for postage and packaging. Please contact [email protected].
  • For tickets issued at stations duplicates are only available form from  the station. 

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