Train tickets explained

Advance train tickets are your route to finding the best train fare and offer savings of over 50%. 

Advance tickets go on sale up to 24 weeks ahead of the journey and the majority of these tickets must be purchased before 18:00 at least one day prior to travel, however a limited number of tickets on some routes are available up to 15 minutes before departure.

Advance (one-way) tickets are available for both Standard and First Class train travel and they are only valid on the train service for which they are booked.

The Airport Advance is just the ticket for travel to and from Manchester Airport. It works the same as a regular Advance, but it’s more flexible in case your flight to the UK experiences any delays; you'll still be able to travel up to 3 hours after the original departure time on your train ticket.

If the next service to your destination is timed to depart more than 3 hours after the original departure time you may use this service.

Don't forget to endorse your ticket at the Manchester Airport station ticket office before you board the train.

These are the most flexible train tickets with no time restrictions on when you can travel.

Anytime Single (one-way) tickets are valid for travel on the date shown on the ticket and until 04:29 the following morning. For Anytime Return tickets, the outward journey must be made within 5 days of the date shown on your train ticket and return journeys must be made within 1 calendar month.

Anytime tickets are available for both Standard and First Class train travel.

Off Peak travel offers cheaper train tickets during quieter times of day. 

Off Peak Single and Return tickets can be bought in advance or on the same day - you’ll be told about restrictions when you buy the ticket. 

Save even more by buying an Off Peak train ticket with a railcard.

Up to 2 children under 5 can travel free with any adult passenger holding a ticket. 

Children up to 16 years old are entitled to 50% discount on most tickets bought in advance.

The Family and Friends Railcard is a good option if you're travelling with kids and looking to save money on train tickets.

Buy your train tickets with a Railcard and save a whopping 1/3 or more with TransPennine Express.

Are you a Jobseeker? Find out more about how the Jobcentre Plus Railcard can help you save on travel.

Are you 16-25? Get yourself a 16-25 Railcard and get better than half price tickets with us.

Season Tickets are ideal for regular journeys on the same route and can be used for travel on any day within the validity of the ticket. They are available for 7 days, a calendar month, and any period between 1 and 12 months.

There are lots of benefits of having a Season Ticket, including free First Class travel on TransPennine Express weekend services for no extra cost.

Buy a self print train ticket and we'll email you a link to a secure e-ticket, which you can then print off. You can also log into My Account and print off your ticket from there.

Make sure you have the printed ticket and card you booked with when you travel, or you’ll have to buy a new ticket.

Buy an e-ticket and download it straight to your phone. These train tickets are available to buy up to 10 minutes before your train's scheduled departure time.

You can buy e-tickets on our website and TPExpress app, which is where your tickets will be stored. Download the app and sign into your account to access your tickets (stored within the 'Ticket's tab).

When you're travelling you'll be asked to present your e-ticket barcode for scanning, so make sure your phone is fully charged and ready to go.

e-tickets are currently available for TransPennine Express only tickets, including Season Tickets between Yarm and Middlesbrough, and Scarborough and York.  Availability will increase in the coming years as more train operating companies meet this new mobile ticketing industry standard.

A First Class ticket option is available on all TransPennine Express services. With your First Class ticket you can enjoy free food and drink on services where refreshments are provided.

Standard Class ticket holders are welcome to upgrade to First Class on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays for £10.00 (single journey supplement). All you need to do is pay the Conductor once you're on board. (On our Manchester Airport to Edinburgh/ Glasgow services the single journey supplement is £15.00).

Please keep in mind that Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) season tickets, e.g. MetroCards, do not qualify for the weekend First Class upgrade.

Groups of 10 or more could be eligible for a discount – chat with our group travel team on 0345 600 1674 to see if you are.

The group travel team are available from 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

These tickets offer flexibility and great value for money if you want unlimited travel in a specified area.

Rover tickets are available in a number of areas for specified periods of travel and Ranger tickets are valid for 1 day. You can also get an All Line Rover ticket that allows unlimited travel across the National Rail network for periods of 7 or 14 days.

There are time restrictions on the use of some Rover and Ranger tickets.

Reserve a seat for free as part of your booking and get compensation if you have to stand. It's a particularly good idea to reserve a train seat if you're travelling long distance or on a popular route.

You can usually reserve a seat up to 12 or 24 weeks in advance and until 18:00 the day before you travel. For a plan of the seating layout on our trains see our seating plans.