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This is not a fare finder. Answer a few questions. Each answer shows the rule National Rail or Railcard.co.uk publishes. It never shows a live fare: use the National Rail journey planner for prices. Open the National Rail journey planner (opens in new tab) for what is available on your day.
What applies
Choose an answer above to see the rules.
Advance ticket
National Rail says Advance tickets are valid only on the date and train on the ticket, are sold in limited numbers, and can usually be bought up to 12 weeks ahead. They are non-refundable unless your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel; changing one may cost £10 plus any difference in price.1
A seat reservation comes with it
Advance tickets are issued with a reservation and you must bring it. Reservations are normally free if made when you buy the ticket.2
Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket
These can be used on any permitted train in the off-peak times for your journey, so you do not need a specific train. The ticket carries a restriction code, and National Rail has a Ticket Validity Finder. Journey planners offer them only if one is valid for your journey.3
Anytime ticket
No time restrictions: any permitted train on the route. An Anytime Single is valid within 2 days of the date shown. If you cancel before 23:59 the day before it becomes valid you can get a refund, with an admin fee of no more than £5; if your train is delayed or cancelled the refund has no admin fee.4
If your train is delayed or cancelled
National Rail says an unused ticket can be refunded without fees by the original retailer if your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel. Compensation is claimed from the train company.5
Early weekday trains
In general Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 on weekdays in cities and large towns and at 09:00 elsewhere. A train that leaves before that time may need an Advance or Anytime ticket. The planner shows what is valid.3
Later weekday trains
If your train is scheduled to depart after the Off-Peak start time (generally 09:30 in cities and large towns, 09:00 elsewhere) you can usually use an Off-Peak ticket, although evening restrictions may apply.6,3
Weekends and bank holidays
National Rail says weekends and bank holidays are Off-Peak all day. Seats can go quickly at busy times, so reserve early if you can.3,2
Ranger or Rover ticket
A Ranger ticket is valid for 1 day; a Rover ticket for more than one day in a limited period (for example 3 consecutive days). They cover a specific area, may include local buses, and may have time restrictions. Check with the train company.7
Season or Flexi Season ticket
A Season ticket gives unlimited travel between two stations for a week, a month or a year (and other periods). A Flexi Season ticket gives 8 days of travel in 28 days. Season tickets are not generally available for long-distance journeys.8
Contactless or Oyster in London
National Rail says you can pay as you go with a contactless card or device on National Rail, London Underground, DLR, London Buses and trams within London, and at an increasing number of stations in the South East. Touch in and touch out with the same card or device.6
Sleeper trains
National Rail says a seat reservation is compulsory on overnight sleeper services. Caledonian Sleeper and the GWR Night Riviera have their own booking pages.2,9,10
Children aged 5 to 15
National Rail says a child aged 5 to 15 gets 50% off Advance, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak and Anytime fares. Railcard.co.uk says children under 5 travel free.1,4,11
Passenger Assist
You can ask for help in advance with Passenger Assist. Any train company can organise assistance for your whole journey. National Rail lists 0800 022 3720 and a text service.12
No railcard fits
Regional Railcards also exist, with discounts of 1/3 to 50% in a specific area. Check whether one covers where you are going.13
16-17 Saver
People aged 16 or 17. 50% off most train fares. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). The page says no time restrictions or minimum fares.14
16-25 Railcard
People aged 16 to 25, and mature students aged 26 and over. 1/3 off rail travel. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply.15
26-30 Railcard
People aged 26 to 30. 1/3 off rail travel. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. The page describes it as digital-only.16
Two Together Railcard
Two people aged 16 or over who travel together. 1/3 off most adult tickets when you travel as a pair. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. You must travel together on the same journey.17
Family & Friends Railcard
Up to 4 adults travelling with up to 4 children aged 5 to 15. 1/3 off adult tickets and 60% off children's tickets. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply.11
Senior Railcard
People aged 60 and over. 1/3 off rail travel. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. You need proof of age.18
Disabled Persons Railcard
People who meet the eligibility checklist on the Railcard site. 1/3 off for you and one adult companion. £20 for 1 year, £54 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). The page says travel whenever you want with no time restrictions.19
Network Railcard
People aged 16 and over travelling in London and the South East. 1/3 off fares in the Network Railcard area, and for up to 3 more adults and 60% off up to 4 children's tickets. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Discount applies after 10am Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays; a £13 minimum fare applies Monday to Friday. Check the area map on the Railcard site.20
Veterans Railcard
UK veterans. 1/3 off for you and one named adult companion, and 60% off for up to 4 children. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. The companion cannot be changed after purchase.21
The rules, question by question
If you answer one of these ways, these rules apply.
How sure are you of your date and train?
- I know the date and the train.Advance ticket; A seat reservation comes with it. 12
- I know the day but not the time.Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket; Anytime ticket. 34
- My plans might change.Anytime ticket; If your train is delayed or cancelled. 45
When will you set off?
- On a weekday morning, early.Early weekday trains. 3
- Later in the morning or afternoon on a weekday.Later weekday trains. 6,3
- At a weekend or on a bank holiday.Weekends and bank holidays. 3,2
What will you do with the ticket?
- One trip or a return. No extra rule: use the answers to the other questions.
- Explore one area over several days.Ranger or Rover ticket. 7
- Make the same journey regularly.Season or Flexi Season ticket. 8
- Get around London only.Contactless or Oyster in London. 6
- Travel overnight on a sleeper.Sleeper trains. 2,9,10
Who is travelling?
- Someone aged 16 or 17.16-17 Saver. 14
- Someone aged 16 to 25, or a mature student.16-25 Railcard. 15
- Someone aged 26 to 30.26-30 Railcard. 16
- Someone aged 60 or over.Senior Railcard. 18
- Two adults who travel together.Two Together Railcard. 17
- Adults with children aged 5 to 15.Family & Friends Railcard; Children aged 5 to 15. 111,4,11
- A disabled person, perhaps with a companion.Disabled Persons Railcard; Passenger Assist. 1912
- A UK veteran.Veterans Railcard. 21
- None of these.No railcard fits. 13
What each rule says
- Advance ticket
- National Rail says Advance tickets are valid only on the date and train on the ticket, are sold in limited numbers, and can usually be bought up to 12 weeks ahead. They are non-refundable unless your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel; changing one may cost £10 plus any difference in price.1
- A seat reservation comes with it
- Advance tickets are issued with a reservation and you must bring it. Reservations are normally free if made when you buy the ticket.2
- Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket
- These can be used on any permitted train in the off-peak times for your journey, so you do not need a specific train. The ticket carries a restriction code, and National Rail has a Ticket Validity Finder. Journey planners offer them only if one is valid for your journey.3
- Anytime ticket
- No time restrictions: any permitted train on the route. An Anytime Single is valid within 2 days of the date shown. If you cancel before 23:59 the day before it becomes valid you can get a refund, with an admin fee of no more than £5; if your train is delayed or cancelled the refund has no admin fee.4
- If your train is delayed or cancelled
- National Rail says an unused ticket can be refunded without fees by the original retailer if your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel. Compensation is claimed from the train company.5
- Early weekday trains
- In general Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 on weekdays in cities and large towns and at 09:00 elsewhere. A train that leaves before that time may need an Advance or Anytime ticket. The planner shows what is valid.3
- Later weekday trains
- If your train is scheduled to depart after the Off-Peak start time (generally 09:30 in cities and large towns, 09:00 elsewhere) you can usually use an Off-Peak ticket, although evening restrictions may apply.6,3
- Weekends and bank holidays
- National Rail says weekends and bank holidays are Off-Peak all day. Seats can go quickly at busy times, so reserve early if you can.3,2
- Ranger or Rover ticket
- A Ranger ticket is valid for 1 day; a Rover ticket for more than one day in a limited period (for example 3 consecutive days). They cover a specific area, may include local buses, and may have time restrictions. Check with the train company.7
- Season or Flexi Season ticket
- A Season ticket gives unlimited travel between two stations for a week, a month or a year (and other periods). A Flexi Season ticket gives 8 days of travel in 28 days. Season tickets are not generally available for long-distance journeys.8
- Contactless or Oyster in London
- National Rail says you can pay as you go with a contactless card or device on National Rail, London Underground, DLR, London Buses and trams within London, and at an increasing number of stations in the South East. Touch in and touch out with the same card or device.6
- Sleeper trains
- National Rail says a seat reservation is compulsory on overnight sleeper services. Caledonian Sleeper and the GWR Night Riviera have their own booking pages.2,9,10
- Children aged 5 to 15
- National Rail says a child aged 5 to 15 gets 50% off Advance, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak and Anytime fares. Railcard.co.uk says children under 5 travel free.1,4,11
- Passenger Assist
- You can ask for help in advance with Passenger Assist. Any train company can organise assistance for your whole journey. National Rail lists 0800 022 3720 and a text service.12
- No railcard fits
- Regional Railcards also exist, with discounts of 1/3 to 50% in a specific area. Check whether one covers where you are going.13
- 16-17 Saver
- People aged 16 or 17. 50% off most train fares. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). The page says no time restrictions or minimum fares.14
- 16-25 Railcard
- People aged 16 to 25, and mature students aged 26 and over. 1/3 off rail travel. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply.15
- 26-30 Railcard
- People aged 26 to 30. 1/3 off rail travel. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. The page describes it as digital-only.16
- Two Together Railcard
- Two people aged 16 or over who travel together. 1/3 off most adult tickets when you travel as a pair. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. You must travel together on the same journey.17
- Family & Friends Railcard
- Up to 4 adults travelling with up to 4 children aged 5 to 15. 1/3 off adult tickets and 60% off children's tickets. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply.11
- Senior Railcard
- People aged 60 and over. 1/3 off rail travel. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. You need proof of age.18
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- People who meet the eligibility checklist on the Railcard site. 1/3 off for you and one adult companion. £20 for 1 year, £54 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). The page says travel whenever you want with no time restrictions.19
- Network Railcard
- People aged 16 and over travelling in London and the South East. 1/3 off fares in the Network Railcard area, and for up to 3 more adults and 60% off up to 4 children's tickets. £35 for 1 year (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Discount applies after 10am Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays; a £13 minimum fare applies Monday to Friday. Check the area map on the Railcard site.20
- Veterans Railcard
- UK veterans. 1/3 off for you and one named adult companion, and 60% off for up to 4 children. £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (Railcard.co.uk, 25 October 2026). Minimum fare and time restrictions apply. The companion cannot be changed after purchase.21
More on each ticket type: rail tickets explained and railcards.
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