tickets explained

Single (one-way) train fares offering great value for money on many longer distance journeys. You must book in advance before 1800 on the day prior to travel and travel on a specific train service. Available for both Standard and First Class travel. Discounts for Railcard holders and children are available.

Due to the popularity and limited availability of these train tickets, please book early to avoid disappointment. Advance Purchase Tickets are valid only for the train service for which they are booked. An administration charge may be levied if a change is made to your journey.

The Airport Advance has replaced the Airport Getaway ticket. It is a single fare train ticket with the same terms and conditions as Advance tickets. Although the ticket is train specific, as a concession, journeys starting at Manchester Airport and John Lennon Airport can be made up to 3hrs after specified departure time, or on the next available TransPennine Express service, if proof of delayed flight can be produced. This is the only difference to other Advance tickets. Should your flight be delayed, please ensure that you obtain documentation from your airline that this is the case.

Offering great savings, these cheaper train tickets are available for travelling at off-peak times during the week. They can be purchased in advance or on the day of travel. The travel restrictions will depend on the journey you are making and will be advised when you buy your ticket. Discounts for Railcard holders and children are available.

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

Fully flexible train tickets with no time restrictions on when you can travel. You can buy Anytime tickets in advance or on the day of travel. Discounts for Railcard holders and children are available.

Anytime Single and Anytime Day train tickets are valid for one day. For Anytime Return tickets, the outward journey must be made on the date shown on your train ticket and return journeys must be made within one calendar month. Available for both Standard and First Class train travel.

Season Tickets are valid for travel on any day within the validity of the ticket. They are available for seven days, one calendar month, and any period between one and twelve months. A Season Ticket offers significant savings over buying the Anytime Day Return each day, and avoids having to queue repeatedly for your ticket.

Customers holding a valid one month or longer Season Ticket may make their normal daily journey in First Class at weekends at no extra cost on First TransPennine Express services. Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) season tickets, for example, MetroCards, do not qualify for the weekend first class upgrade.

For more information visit our Season Tickets page.

Save a whopping 1/3rd off your train travel with a Railcard. Visit our Railcards  page for more information. NEW... National Rail have launched a new range of Railcard gift cards, available to purchase from Sainsbury's, Clinton Cards and Tesco. For more information visit www.railcardgift.co.uk

A First Class option is available. Holders of First Class tickets are entitled to complimentary tea/coffee/water and a biscuit on services where catering is provided.

Holders of Standard Class tickets may upgrade to First Class on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays on payment of a £6.00 single journey supplement to the Conductor between any two train stations on the First TransPennine route network. (On our Manchester to Edinburgh and Manchester to Glasgow train services the single journey supplement is £10.00).

Customers holding a valid one month or longer Season Ticket may make their normal daily journey in First Class at weekends at no extra cost on First TransPennine Express services. Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) season tickets, for example, MetroCards, do not qualify for the weekend first class upgrade.

What is Print at Home?

Print at Home is new and exclusive to our Manchester Airport Advance tickets. When you book your Manchester Airport Advance tickets online you can now print your own tickets at home.

How does it work?

When booking your tickets you will be asked how you want you want to receive your tickets. Select the Print at Home option. Once your booking is confirmed, a link to your secure e-ticket will be sent to your email address, which you can then print off. You can also log into the My Account section of the website and print off your ticket from there. When travelling, you must have your printed e-ticket AND the payment card with which you booked your tickets. If you are travelling as a group the person who bought the tickets must be travelling as part of the group and have their payment card with them. You can print your e-tickets in black and white or colour. It really doesn't matter.

Terms and Conditions

• Print at Home is only available on our trains to Manchester Airport Advance tickets.
• Customers must be in possession of their printed e-ticket and the payment card with which they booked theirticket, or tickets will not be valid.
• Customers will not be able to request a change of journey after selecting the Print at Home option. If customers do not have their printed e-ticket when travelling, they must purchase a new ticket at the full rate.
• Only one customer can travel on an e-ticket and each e-ticket is for only one single journey.
• Tickets are train specific, however to accommodate inbound flight delays, journeys originating at Manchester Airport can be made on the next available First TransPennine Express service up to 3 hours after the departure time stated on the ticket.
• Where no services depart within this time, the next First TransPennine Express service may be used.
• Passengers wishing to use this concession must have their e-tickets endorsed at the Ticket Office before boarding the train.

What are mTickets?

mTickets, also known as mobile tickets are available to purchase on our mobile app. Customers purchasing Airport Advance tickets will receive their ticket in a digital format on their phone, known as an mTicket.

How does it work?

When purchasing an advance purchase ticket to Manchester Airport through our mobile app you will be presented with an mTicket, effectively allowing you to use your phone as the ticket.

To display your mTicket, go to 'My Tickets', click on the mTicket you wish to use, and click on 'View Barcode'

When travelling using an mTicket you may be asked to present your mTicket barcode for scanning.

Some stations have access gates, some of which may be fitted with barcode reading devices that enable you to present your mTicket barcode for scanning to permit entry or exit.

Where gates are not equipped to read your mTicket you will need to show your ticket to the railway staff supervising the gates to enter or exit the station.

If you are not travelling within 2 hours of purchasing your ticket, your mTicket will not be available until 2 hours after purchase.

Terms and Conditions

mTickets are only available on airport advance purchase tickets.

mTickets are not available on our website and are only available to purchase through our mobile app

It is your responsibility to ensure that you carry your mobile phone on the relevant journey and that your phone is charged, functional and that you are able to display the ticket for inspection when you travel.

Complete terms and conditions