Travel

#Days Out Guide - Off Peak Train Tickets, Cheap Train Tickets, Discount Train Tickets

Rail fares and discounts explained

Off-Peak tickets

Offering great value for money, these tickets may require you to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route. Where there is more than one Off-Peak fare for a journey, the cheaper fare with more restrictions is called Super Off-Peak. You can buy Off-Peak tickets any time before you travel. The travel restrictions for your Off-Peak ticket will depend on the journey you are making and you will be advised when you buy your ticket.

Off-Peak Single and Off-Peak Day (Single and Return) tickets must be used on the date shown on the ticket. For Off-Peak Return tickets, outward journeys must be made on the date shown on your ticket and return journeys must be made within one calendar month.

People who frequently use the train to make leisure journeys could enjoy big reductions with a Railcard. There are a number of different types available, all offering a fantastic 1/3 saving on your rail fares. Making travelling for leisure even more of a pleasure!

If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you may qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard

• 1/3 off rail fares across Britain
• For you and a friend
• 3-year Railcard available to buy for £54
• Average annual saving of £114

Exclusively for annual Season Ticket holders travelling in the Network Railcard area, a Gold Card offers incredible extra savings for you and those travelling with you.

Planning on a fun daytrip with friends? Or perhaps a family outing by train? With GroupSave. three to nine people can get 1/3 off Off-Peak tickets when travelling together - leaving everyone more money to spend on the day out!

Group Travel Discounts

If you are travelling in a group of ten or more at off-peak times, you may be able to obtain a further discount through the train company you are travelling with. Contact the train company directly and be aware that you may need to book tickets in advance. Click here for a list of train company contact details .

Child Discounts

Children aged five to fifteen get a 50% discount.

Up to 2 children under 5 years can travel free with each fare paying adult. Children aged 5-15 inclusive generally pay half the adult fare, except where some Railcards offer Child discounted rates. Some Train Companies in London and the South also offer a specially reduced flat fare for accompanying 5-15s. See your local train company website for details.

Tip: If you travel regularly with children throughout the country, you may find that a Network Railcard or Family Friends Railcard can save you money.

Public Holiday and Weekend Services

Trains run every day of the year except on 25 - 26 December. Generally train times at weekends and Public Holidays are different to weekdays and you should check your journey times before travelling. These are great days to travel as time restrictions on Off Peak tickets do not apply.

Weekend First

Upgrade from Standard to First Class is available on some routes at weekends and Public Holidays for a small supplement: find out more .