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How to buy tickets : ticket types

Having now searched for timetables and services suitable for your planned journey, from the earlier How to plan your journey page you now need to decide which type or types of tickets are suitable and if they are available

 

The name of each describes when to purchase and how it can be used :

ADVANCE
OFF-PEAK
ANYTIME
SEASON
ROVER and RANGER
Cross London
OYSTER

 

Advance -
Purchased in advance of travel, usually no later than 2 hours before travel, but in most cases no later than 18:00 the day before
Numbers are limited, known as quota control
Prices vary depending on demand, typically with three levels, the cheapest normally sell first
Only valid on the date, time, and services specified
Only valid for single journeys (for a return journey purchase two Advance Singles)
Changes to date and time can be made before departure, any difference in fare will be payable, plus an administration charge
Non-refundable

 

Off-Peak -
Purchased at any time, prior to travel

Off-peak fares are cheaper tickets for travelling on trains that are less busy
Valid for travel often on specified times, days of the week, or routes

Where there is more than one Off-Peak fare, the cheaper will be called Super Off-Peak, but will have more restrictions

Further restrictions may apply when purchased with a Railcard, including minimum fares and time of travel
Off-Peak Single and the outward portion of Off-Peak Return tickets are valid on the date shown on the ticket until 04:29 the following day

Where the journey cannot be completed in this time, the ticket may be used to complete the journey the following day, and unless indicated time restrictions may apply from the origin station
Break of journey may not be permitted on some journeys
Return portions of Off-Peak Return tickets are valid until 04:29 the day following the last day of validity (one calendar month)

Changes to date and time can be made before departure, any difference in fare will be payable, plus an administration charge
Refunds are permitted, will take into account any used portion of any ticket, but may be subject to an administration charge

 

Anytime -

Purchased at any time and prior to travel where Penalty Fares apply
Fully flexible
No time restrictions
Break of journey at any stations, along the permitted route of travel if appropriate
Anytime Day Single / Return can be used on the day shown until 04:29 the following day
Anytime Single must be used within two days of the date shown on the ticket and until 04:29 the following day
Anytime Return, the outward journey must be made within five days and until 04:29 the following day, the return portion must be used within one calendar month and until 04:29 the following day

Further restrictions may apply when purchased with a Railcard, including minimum fares and time of travel

Changes to date and time may require the purchase of a new ticket and refund of the previous ticket
You may upgrade the ticket, including travelling further upon payment of an excess
Refunds are permitted, will take into account any used portion of any ticket, but may be subject to an administration charge

 

Season -
Unlimited travel between two stations for set periods, typically seven days, one calendar month, other periods up to one year

A photographic travel card may also be required
Unless stated otherwise, the Season ticket is valid by any Passenger Train Company and within the zones and / or routes on which it is issued
Refunds are permitted, will take into account any used portion of any ticket, but may be subject to an administration charge
 

Rover and Ranger -

A range of local and national tickets allowing unlimited travel within a selected area for between one and 14 days
There may be day and time restrictions

 

Cross-London -
If the route shown on the ticket has a †, the ticket includes the cost of travelling between certain London Stations, eg between Liverpool St and Paddington, by either London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) or First Capital Connect (Thameslink Route) services appropriate to the route of the journey being made

Note : Tickets will only be accepted by London Underground and DLR on the date shown on the ticket, or last day of validity for return portions of Off-Peak Returns, and until 04:29 the following day
Other than to change trains, a break of journey at intermediate London Underground or DLR stations is NOT permitted
Travel restrictions do not apply on weekends and public holidays

Oyster -
Finally if you are travelling within or across London you may benefit from using an Oyster ticket
This is a cashless payment system accepted throughout public transport in Greater London, with some exceptions, including National Rail, DLR, the tube, trams, and buses
For full details see our How to use Oyster page