BUYING TICKETS

Buying your rail tickets couldn't be simpler, with a wide range of options available to make your purchase as convenient and straightforward as possible. Whether you prefer to buy online, visit your local station or do it all over the phone, choose the way that suits you and make buying your tickets as smooth as your train journey!

Buying Online

Your tickets are just a click away! Buying online is by far the easiest method to purchase tickets, particularly for longer journeys. In most cases you can buy your tickets directly from the appropriate train company and as an added incentive, some train companies offer discounts when you buy online.

Tickets can be sent to you by post (remember to leave enough time to make sure they arrive before your journey) or, in most instances, can be collected from ticket machines at your departure station before you travel.

A full list of train company websites that sell tickets online is provided below. Don't forget most of the train company websites can sell you tickets for any journey in Great Britain, so even though you may not be travelling with that train company you can still buy tickets for the journey you want to make.

Alternatively, plan your journey at www.nationalrail.co.uk and then transfer through to the relevant train company to purchase your tickets.

Other websites from which rail tickets can be purchased include redspottedhanky.com, mytrainticket.co.uk, takethetrain.co.uk, thetrainline.com and Raileasy. As some sites may charge additional fees, be sure to check before you purchase - these extra costs will always be shown upfront.

Buying at the station

You can purchase a full range of tickets at any staffed station ticket office nationwide. Easy-to-use self-service ticket machines at stations also provide a wide range of rail tickets for immediate travel. Don't forget that at peak times station ticket offices and ticket machines will be busy, so ensure you have enough time to buy your ticket before you catch your train. Check the opening times of any station ticket office at www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations.

If your station does not have any ticket buying facilities, you may be able to buy your ticket on the train - notices at the station will let you know if this is the case.

Buying over the phone

The majority of rail tickets can be purchased via telephone by calling the train company telesales office. As with online purchases, your tickets can either be posted to you or collected from your departure station. A full list of train company telesales offices is provided below.

Travel Agents

It is possible to buy your rail tickets from certain travel agents who are licensed to sell them. Simply look for the National Rail sticker in travel agents' windows.