We know rail fare information can be overwhelming, with lots of train ticket types to choose from. Our handy guide explains the differences between them, and helps you find the right ticket type for you.
All our tickets are available to buy online, from our app or from your nearest ticket office. You can also make further savings on your ticket when you use a railcard. Visit our Railcards and Travelcards page for further information.
Summary of differences between ticket types:
| Ticket type | Refunds | Use with railcards | Travel on any train | Book on day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance | Non-refundable | ✔ | Specified train only | Up to 23:59 the day before travel |
| Off Peak | ✔ | ✔ | Within Off Peak times | ✔ |
| Season | ✔ | Railcard discount not applicable | ✔ | 14 days before the start date |
| Anytime | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Duo | ✔ | Railcard discount not applicable | Specified train only | ✔ |
| Flexi-Season | ✔ | Railcard discount not applicable | ✔ | ✔ |
Advance
Why Purchase: The best value fare available.
Available: Up to 12 weeks in advance and until 23:59 on the day before travel on selected routes.
Anytime
Why Purchase: The most flexible ticket available.
Available: Up to 12 weeks in advance including the day of travel.
Off-Peak
Why Purchase: Better value than Anytime, more flexible than Advance.
Available: Up to 12 weeks in advance including the day of travel.
Duo
Why Purchase: Save 25% when you travel with someone else.
Available: Up to 12 weeks in advance including the day of travel on selected routes.
Season Ticket
Why Purchase: Best value ticket if you travel 3-4 days a week.
Available: 14 days before the start date.
Super Off-Peak
Why Purchase: Cheapest walk-up fare.
Available: Up to 12 weeks in advance including the day of travel on selected routes.
Family Travelcard
Why Purchase: Great value family ticket.
Available: Up to 12 weeks in advance including the day of travel.
Flexi Season Ticket
Why Purchase: 8 days of travel in 28 days - any time between 2 stations.
Available: 21st June for travel from 28th June.
Plusbus
Why Purchase: Discount bus fare when you purchase a train ticket.
Available: When you purchase your train ticket.
National Rail - Travel with Confidence
You can review and confirm the conditions for the type of ticket you have bought by re-entering the ticket details into the National Rail travel with confidence website. This will confirm which trains the ticket is valid for.
National Rail - Travel with Confidence
Ticket Vending Machine Price Guarantee
In the unlikely event that you purchase a ticket from one of Chiltern Railways’ ticket vending machines (TVMs) and discover you could have bought a cheaper product for the identical journey, you will be entitled to a refund to the value of the difference in cost. Please contact our customer relations team to discuss this further. Please ensure that you retain any tickets that you have purchased.
National Rail Conditions of Travel
All tickets and travel are subject to the National Rail Conditions of Travel. A copy of the 'National Rail Conditions of Travel' is available from staffed ticket offices or in a PDF to download at www.nationalrail.co.uk/nrcot
Additional Conditions of Travel
Oyster and contactless: If you use Oyster or contactless on a National Rail service (either wholly or as part of a through journey), there are additional conditions to those in the National Rail Conditions of Travel. Links to the current versions of these documents are also available at www.nationalrail.co.uk/nrcot