Plan ahead. Save up to 60% when you book rail tickets in advance.
Our Advance tickets are ideal if you know where and when you’d like to travel. You can book cheap advance rail tickets from up to 12 weeks ahead, right up until the day before your journey -and on selected routes you can even buy Advance rail tickets up to five minutes before the train departs. They're limited in number so the further in advance you book, the more likely you are to get an Advance ticket for the date and time you want at a great rate.
Advance tickets cover our London route, Liverpool to Norwich services, and journeys to and from Skegness.
How to buy Advance train tickets
If you are looking to save money on train travel, we've got some great tips for you. Check out our guide below to learn how to get cheap Advance tickets.
Book in Advance
Buy train tickets in advance and save. Our Advance tickets are ideal if you know where and when you’d like to travel to take advantage of the cheapest fares available up to 12 weeks ahead until the day before your journey.
Travel Off-Peak
Where possible, when buying your Advance train ticket, look for an Off-Peak time. Generally, ticket prices are lower during quieter periods on weekdays and weekends as compared to Peak times. To find the cheapest Off-Peak tickets, use our Journey Planner located at the top of the page.
Set Ticket Alerts
If your desired travel tickets are not available yet, sign up for our Advance Ticket Alert , to be notified of journey tickets further in advance and find tickets available at lower prices. We will send you an email as soon as Advance tickets become available to book.
Book Advance Tickets for Today
Sometimes you may even find Advance tickets available for your journey on the same day of travel. Download the EMR app to access the cheapest priced tickets available everyday and get the best priced train fares.
Get a Railcard
Bag extra discounts and save up to 1/3 on Advance train tickets when using a Railcard.
If you use a railcard to buy your ticket, remember to take it with you when you travel. If you can't show a valid railcard, you will be asked to buy a new, full-price ticket. You’ll be able to claim any additional costs back the first time this happens. Find out more and buy railcards.
Advance rail fares | Latest booking dates available
You can now book Advance tickets for travel up to the following dates:
London route
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
27th July 2024 |
| Sunday |
28th July 2024 |
| Monday-Friday |
09th August 2024 |
Liverpool to Norwich plus Skegness Route
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
27th July 2024 |
| Sunday |
28th July 2024 |
| Monday-Friday |
09th August 2024 |
Advance train tickets – the rules:
- Book up to 12 weeks prior to travelling, right up until the day before your journey -and on selected routes you can even buy Advance rail tickets up to five minutes before the train departs
- Always travel from the stations and at the specific times shown on your Advance rail ticket
- If you miss the train you’re booked on, you’ll need to buy a new ticket
- You can only buy Advance tickets for one-way/single journeys
Advance train tickets - on the day
You can now buy Advance train tickets on the day, up to five minutes before the train departs, on selected routes. They're available from ticket offices, our website and mobile app, so don't miss out.
Buying an Advance train ticket is even easier when you download our mobile app . Just search for your train, select your ticket and download it direct to the app. We'll even send a back up ticket to your email address. No queues, no ticket collection machines - easy!
On the day Advance tickets do not come with seat reservations meaning you're free to occupy any unreserved seat in the class of accommodation for your ticket.
Advance train tickets - Ticket Alert
Date of travel not available for purchase yet? Try our Ticket Alert service. Just enter your details and we will send you an email when your date is available to book.
Advance Train Ticket FAQs
An Advance train ticket is a type of ticket that allows you to travel on a specific train at a lower cost, but with the condition that you must book it in advance. Typically, advance tickets are available for purchase up to 12 weeks before the date of travel, and the price can vary depending on the time of day, route, and availability. Advance tickets are often non-refundable and non-exchangeable, so it's important to be sure of your travel plans before booking. However, they can be a great way to save money if you're able to plan your journey in advance.
Booking train tickets in advance can offer a number of benefits. Firstly, it can often be cheaper than buying a ticket on the day of travel, as train companies generally release a limited number of cheaper advance tickets. Additionally, booking in advance can give you more options regarding seat selection and train times, as popular routes and peak travel times can sell out quickly. It also gives you the peace of mind of having your travel plans sorted ahead of time, allowing you to relax and enjoy your journey.
Advance train tickets are tickets that can be purchased up to 12 weeks ahead of time, which can save you money compared to buying a ticket on the day of travel.
If you have an advance train ticket, it is usually valid only for the train service and the specific date and time shown on the ticket. If you want to travel on an earlier train, you will need to purchase a new ticket.
Yes, it is often cheaper to purchase train tickets in advance. Train companies often release their tickets for sale up to 12 weeks in advance, and the earlier you book, the more likely you are to find cheaper deals.
Can I make changes to an Advance train ticket?
If you need to change the date or time of your Advance rail ticket you can get most tickets amended at our staffed stations, however, please note; this must be arranged before the departure of the first reserved train printed on the ticket. If you have bought your ticket direct through EMR, you can change them in the 'My Account' area on our website and app. There's a £10 admin fee, plus any difference in fare if your new ticket costs more than the original.
No, Advance tickets are only sold as Single Tickets. However, you can buy an Advance Single train ticket for both directions, meaning you can mix and match Single tickets for the cheapest possible return journey to your chosen destination.
Yes, you can exchange an Advance ticket for a new time or date on the same route, subject to a fee. There's a £10 admin fee, plus any difference in fare if your new ticket costs more than the original.
You can only claim a refund on Advance train tickets if your chosen train is cancelled or delayed, or your reserved seat isn’t available, and you decide not to travel. Find out more about refunding your ticket .
Advance Single tickets can't be refunded, but they can be exchanged for a new ticket on a different service on either the same day or another date, subject to a fee. Please note that you won't be able to change your route.
If any leg of your journey is delayed or cancelled, you can travel on the next available train(s) to complete your trip. If your journey is delayed by more than 15 minutes you can claim compensation through our Delay Repay Scheme .
If you decide not to travel because you can’t get the train you were counting on or your seat reservation isn’t available, you can claim a refund for your unused tickets. If your train is delayed or cancelled during your journey and you decide to return to your original station, we'll also give you a refund. Find out more about refunding your ticket .
More train ticket types
If an Advance train ticket is not the right option for you, take a look at our selection of other ticket types available to help secure the cheapest train tickets available.
Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak train tickets
To learn more, read the full National Rail terms and conditions for Advance tickets