Advance train tickets

Advance tickets are released 12 weeks before the service departure, with the cheaper fares available when booked earlier in the booking window. Fares will increase over time and be more expensive on the day of travel. 

Book Advance tickets online or in the Northern App:

Just enter your journey details in the ‘Train tickets and times’ search to find the best cheap Advance train tickets for you, they’re available up to 12 weeks before travel.

Your ticket options:

• Download your tickets straight to your phone in the Northern App
• Collect from a ticket machine at selected stations
• First Class post (please allow at least 7 working days for delivery)

Advance tickets are limited in numbers and subject to availability. Our busiest services are likely to have much less advance purchase availability. Northern always encourages customers to purchase tickets before the day of departure to maximise savings.

We have recently added thousands of new fares across our network, making Advance tickets more accessible for customers than ever before. We recognise Advance tickets are currently not available from every station, but we regularly collect feedback and implement new fares at stations based on customer demand.  

You can also purchase Advance tickets at staffed ticket offices, up to 15 minutes before departure.

We accept:
●    All major debit/credit cards
●    Cash
●    National Rail vouchers
●    Rail warrants

Please visit National Rail to find out the list of dates currently available for booking our Advance tickets.

Advance tickets can be used alongside most Railcards – Check TIS or Railcard T&Cs for details.

Customers can not start, break and resume, or end their journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s).

Advance tickets are TOC (Train Operating Company), date and time specific, and are only eligible to use on the service shown on the ticket. If a customer is found travelling on a different service to that shown on the ticket(s), they may be liable to pay a penalty fare of £100.

Advance Purchase tickets are non-refundable, however if the train you purchased a ticket for is cancelled or delayed, and as a result you decide not to travel, a refund will be offered on any unused tickets.

We get it. Life happens and plans change.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Seatfrog to offer you [link] Train Swap, a handy service that lets you change your Advance ticket on the day of travel.

Ticket swaps start from £1.50 and can be made up to 10 minutes before departure.

Just visit Train Swap, enter the details for your current and updated journey and you’ll receive a new barcode to your inbox. 

Northern Advance tickets are usually available up to 12 weeks before you travel, but this can vary depending on the operator.

Some tickets go on sale as early as 24 weeks in advance, so it is worth checking ahead.

Advance tickets are limited, so setting a reminder to book early can help you get a better deal.

*Save up to 60% with Advance Purchase tickets. T&C’s apply. Advance Purchase tickets are subject to availability. Saving vs anytime day single or off-peak day single ticket. Tickets can be purchased up to 12 weeks in advance on some routes. 

Product Summary

1. Northern only Advance Purchase tickets are only available on Northern services.
2. Northern only Advance Purchase tickets are single (one-way) tickets for selected journeys available in Standard Class, offering the best available price for each journey.
3. Return journeys can be made buy purchasing two single Advance Purchase tickets.
4. Advance Purchase tickets are subject to availability and must be booked in at least 15 minutes before travel.
5. Advance Purchase tickets make up at least 10% of our seated capacity on the routes they are available on. This fare is a revenue managed product and availability will vary depending on demand and the expected passenger loadings on any given service.
6. With an Advance Purchase ticket, a customer can save on average 60% versus an Anytime Day Single or Off-Peak Day Single fare which are open, unrestricted walk up and go fares. The levels of saving differs from journey to journey and some savings are actually above the 60% level. 

Availability

1. Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. They are sold in limited numbers and so subject to availability.
2. Tickets are made available up to 12 weeks before travel on selected Northern routes.
3. The lowest fares available up to  15 minutes before travel, subject to availability. 

Discounts

1. Standard Class: Child discounts, 16-25, Family & Friends, Senior, HM Forces Two Together Railcard and Disabled Persons Railcards discounts apply.
2. The passenger must be travelling with their valid discount card at the time of the journey to be eligible. Those who have booked an Advance Purchase ticket with any of the above discount cards may be subject to ticket inspections on board.

When and where the ticket can be used?

1. Tickets are valid ONLY on the date and train service(s) shown on the ticket(s).
2. Tickets may only be used on Northern services and on the 'Route' shown on the ticket.
3. If the 'Route' also states 'and Connections', travel is allowed on appropriate connecting trains where shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.

Conditions of use

1. You must be at the departure station shown on your ticket in good time to catch the train. If you miss the first train on which you are booked for any reason, a new ticket must be purchased.
2. If  your train is delayed or cancelled , you will be allowed to take the next available train(s) to complete your journey.
3. Railcard holders travelling on a discounted ticket must carry their Railcard when they travel. If a Railcard holder fails to produce a valid Railcard with their ticket, a new ticket must be purchased as if no Railcard and/or no ticket were held.

Break of journey

You may not start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.

Changing the time or date of travel

1. Changes to time or date of travel must be arranged before departure of the first reserved train printed on the ticket, after which the ticket has no value and a new one must be purchased. You will need to present the ticket(s) and reservation(s) when you request a change.
2. Changes to tickets cannot be made on-board the train. If you board a train without a ticket and reservation for that service, a new ticket must be purchased. Depending on the Train Company you are travelling with, you may be liable to a Penalty Fare if you board the train with an invalid ticket.
3. The difference between the price paid and cost of the next suitable fare for your journey is payable, plus a £10 administration fee per person, per single ticket for each change to a journey. If you change to a train on which a cheaper fare is available, the difference will not be refunded.

Refunds

1. Your ticket is non-refundable.
2. If the train you purchased a ticket for is cancelled or delayed by more than 60 minutes, special arrangements will be made to accommodate you on another train (although a seat cannot be guaranteed). If, as a result, you decide not to travel, a refund will be offered on completely unused tickets and you will not be charged an administration fee.
3. Passengers are eligible for fee-free refunds and fee-free changes of journey should
   their journey be affected due to service disruptions or cancellations, including any periods of future industrial action.

Train Swap

1. Swap Advance Purchase tickets via Train Swap only.
2. Swaps open 1 day in advance & close 15 mins before departure.
3. Available for Advance Purchase tickets only. Swap your purchased Advance Ticket for another Northern service using Seatfrog.
4. Ticket can be swapped up to 15 minutes prior to purchased tickets departure time. £1.50 starting swap fee available until 31st March 2025.
5. Visit https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/train-swap for full details.

National Rail

National Rail Website T&Cs - ttps://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-and-offers/ticket-types/advance-tickets/advance-tickets-terms-and-conditions/