The Season Ticket Smartcard

It’s a reusable, contactless train ticket with a microchip inside that securely stores your Season ticket.

It can be scanned by conductors, station staff, plus ticket vending machines and barriers. It’s just like a paper ticket, but more durable and lasts up to 10 years.

How does a Smartcard work?

When you start your journey, tap your Smartcard at the ticket gate or on the card reader to activate your day's travel.

Don’t forget to tap out at your destination to complete the journey. If you don’t tap in and out correctly, your ticket won’t be valid and you could be issued a penalty fare.

Will my Smartcard replace my existing photocard?

You don’t need a photocard to accompany your Season ticket, but you might be asked to show another form of identification by the revenue protection team.

How do I get a Smartcard?

It’s easy, you can request a personalised Smartcard online in a few clicks. Or next time you renew your Season ticket at a station you can request a Smartcard instead of a paper ticket.

What info do I need to get a Smartcard?

Just the basics: your name, address, contact number and email. It only takes a minute to get sorted.

Do I have to pay for a Smartcard?

Not at all, it’s completely free.

You can put a season ticket for seven days or any period between one month and a year on your Smartcard.

Can I get a Child (Under 16) ticket on a Smartcard?

Not just yet, Smartcards are currently for Adult Season tickets only, unless you’re using a 16–17 Saver.

Can I use a Northern Smartcard for a Merseyrail RailPass?

You can get a RailPass, but it'll be issued on a Walrus card (Merseytravel’s own version), not a Northern Smartcard.

Can Greater Manchester Traincards be used with a Northern Smartcard?

Traincard rail tickets, including Metrolink, are available on Smartcards at Northern ticket offices. However, Traincards remain are not available for purchase on the Northern website for the time being.

Is a Greater Manchester Season ticket more expensive on a Smartcard?

No. While you can’t get them online or at a machine yet, ticket offices offer the full range at the same price as paper in the Greater Manchester area.

Do I need to activate a Corporate Season ticket?

No, your ticket will be loaded on your Smartcard.

How can I buy a Smart Season ticket?

You can buy your Smart Season ticket online, on the Northern app (iOS or Android), at a ticket machine, or at your local Northern ticket office.

How do I load a Smart ticket bought online onto my card?

Open the Northern app, tap the orange Smart ‘S’ button, and hold your Smartcard to your phone (front for iOS, back for Android). Make sure NFC is switched on and your phone is NFC-compatible.

Your Smart Season ticket won’t appear in the 'My tickets' section of the app,  it’s stored on the card itself.

Prefer a ticket machine? You can also collect your ticket at a Northern machine. You’ll need to allow up to two hours after purchase.

Can I collect my Smartcard at non-Northern stations?

Yes, you can can collect at most stations in the North, though it varies by operator:

• TransPennine Express and East Midlands Railway stations support Smart collection
• LNER and Avanti stations usually have at least one machine marked with the Smart symbol
• The only Merseyrail station with Smart collection is Liverpool South Parkway

How can I check what’s on my Smartcard?

Use the Northern app or a Northern ticket machine to check what tickets are loaded on your Smartcard.

You’ll see all active tickets, plus any expired ones, without needing to make a purchase.

How far in advance can I renew my Smart Season ticket?

Just like with paper tickets, the renewal rules are exactly the same.

Where can I use my Smartcard?

Just like your paper Season ticket, your Smartcard works on the specific route your ticket covers. The same terms and conditions apply.

When can I use my Smartcard?

Anytime your Season ticket is valid, on the chosen route you bought the Season ticket for.

Can more than one person travel on the same Smartcard?

Nope, just like a paper Season ticket, Smartcards are for one person only.

How is my Smartcard checked on board?

Conductors will scan your Smartcard to confirm your ticket is valid for the journey you are making.

Can I break my journey and catch a later train on the same day?

Yes, as long as it’s within the validity of your ticket, you can hop off and on again later.

How are tickets activated and validated?

Once your Season ticket is loaded onto your Smartcard, it’s ready to use.

You’ll need to tap in and out when you are starting and ending your journey to activate and finish your travel day.

I’m having problems with my Smartcard or loading my ticket

• Delete and reinstall the Northern app
• Restart your phone
• Try again, making sure you hold the Smartcard in place until your phone vibrates

Still stuck? Give our Customer Experience Centre a call on 0333 222 0127. Or speak to station staff — they’ll be happy to help.

Before you call, it helps to have this info ready:

• Time and date of the issue
• Any transaction references or error messages
• Your 18-digit Smartcard number (on the front of your card)
• The ticket you’re trying to load

How do I replace my Smartcard if it’s lost or stolen?

Call our Customer Experience team on 0333 222 0127 as soon as you can. We’ll block your card to keep your ticket safe and sort out a replacement.

How do I change my personal details?

Just pop into a ticket office, we’ll be able to update your info for you.

My Smartcard has been stolen and used, what can I do?

Let us know right away by calling us or visiting a ticket office. Once reported, we’ll block your card and start the process of getting your ticket refunded or replaced.

Need to change or refund a Smart ticket?

Bought it at a ticket office? Head back there to make the change.

Bought online? Call our Customer Experience Centre on 0333 222 0127 (you’ll find the number on the back of your card too).

Can I still claim for delays?

Absolutely. Smartcard or not, if you’ve experienced a delay or cancellation you can still make a claim through the Delay Repay scheme.

What information will you collect and share about me?

Full details can be found in Northern's Privacy Policy. All journey data is anonymised and used to help improve the services we provide.

We want every trip to be a good one, and your feedback helps us make that happen.

That little QR code on the back of your Smartcard will lead you to a short, simple survey where you can let us know how things went.

Just scan it with your smartphone camera and share your thoughts, good, bad or in-between. Every comment helps us improve your future journeys.

*Up to 33% cost saving based on an average weekly Season ticket fare versus 5x Anytime Day Return tickets. Correct as of July 2023