Flexible Tickets

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Flexible tickets are needlessly complicated in their implementation but fortunately you can check whether your ticket is restricted on the trains you want to travel by using thetrainline fare booking tool, calling National Rail Enquiries (08457 484950) or checking with your local ticket office.

Peak time restrictions don't apply throughout the UK and mostly apply to hub cities such as London or Birmingham however each train operator has differing opinions on what is regarded as peak. So is in doubt check with thetrainline fare booking tool for the service that you wish to travel on. If your flexible fare is not valid on the service you're travelling on you can purchase a supplement at your local ticket office by paying the difference. It is usually also possible to upgrade on the train.

All flexible tickets are 'walk up' tickets which means that you can buy them at the ticket office on the day of travel. You are still advised to book them in advance, this gives you the option of a reservation on your preferred service (note a flexible ticket is not tied to the train you've reserved on) and no worries about missing the train due to delays in the ticket office.

Long Distance tickets

The following long distance flexible return tickets are available:

SuperSaver

The cheapest and most restrictive of all the flexible tickets, most train companies have discontinued this ticket. Travel is not allowed anytime on a Friday and has the most restrictive peak time restrictions. Valid outward only on the designated start of the ticket and return within a month.

Standard Saver

This ticket is valid outward only on the designated start date of the ticket and return within a month. Break of journeys are allowed on the return leg which is useful if you want to visit many cities along the route. If your journey goes through an area where peak time restrictions apply then make sure that your ticket is valid when you want to travel. There's no restrictions on a weekend or bank holidays, making this an ideal ticket for the weekend leisure traveller. No restrictions apply if your ticket does not cover an area with peak restrictions.

Business Saver

Despite the name this is also a standard class ticket with the same validity and break of journey rules as the standard saver. This ticket is offered on routes covered by the peak time restrictions and is valid on a larger number of services than the standard saver. There's still some high demand peak services not covered by this ticket.

Standard Open

The most flexible and significantly more expensive ticket. Valid one month on both legs of the journey and offering unlimited breaks of journey on both legs. There's no peak time restrictions with this ticket. Recommended as the least hassle option for business travel customers whose travel policy does not allow first class.

First Saver

Only offered by a small number of train companies. Same validity as a standard saver but valid in first class.

First Open Return

Validity same as standard open but valid in first class.

Business Packages

There's a separate section dedicated to the business traveller. Some train companies have special business package tickets which include extras such as meals or parking. Back to UK Rail