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Advance train tickets

Advance tickets

Like to plan ahead and stay ahead of the crowd? Get great deals when you book Advance tickets on the Great Northern website

Advance tickets – Plan ahead for amazing savings

Get ahead of the crowd next time you go by train – book Advance tickets from Great Northern and you could make massive savings. If you know exactly where and when you want to travel, Advance tickets are much cheaper than any other ticket types. But once they’re gone, that’s it – so it really does pay to book trains in advance and get your next adventure on track.

These fares normally go on sale up to 12 weeks ahead of travel. But there are only a limited number of Advance tickets available for each service, so they can – and will – sell out.

Where can I use Advance tickets?

You won’t be able to buy Advance tickets for travel solely on Great Northern routes, but you can buy them online from us for other journeys across the UK.

Bear in mind you can only break your journey to catch a connecting train to get to your destination.

Can I get an Advance Return ticket?

No – you can only ever buy an Advance Single ticket. If you’re coming home after a train trip, all you need to do is book another Advance Single ticket for the way back.

It means you’re free to mix and match Advance train tickets to get the best deal, so you could go from A-to-B in standard class and from B-to-A in first class – or any other combination!

Use our journey planner to find the cheap Advance tickets and times that work for you.

When can I use Advance tickets?

You can normally book Advance tickets for travel on services throughout the day – as long as there are still some left for when you want them.

Bear in mind that you can only travel on the date and time shown on your tickets.

Why should I book Advance tickets?

A great reason to book trains in advance is how much you can save compared to other ticket types. The earlier you book, the better value the tickets tend to be. Other benefits include:

  • Mix and match Advance Single train tickets to save cash, suit your plans or even go first class
  • Book up to 12 weeks ahead once you know where you need to be
  • 1/3 off standard class fares with most Railcards
  • 1/3 off First Class fares with a 16-25, 26-30, Senior, HM Forces or Disabled Persons Railcard

The latest information on the availability of Advance tickets can be found on this National Rail website.

When do Advance rail tickets go on sale?

You can normally buy Advance rail tickets online from Great Northern up to 12 weeks ahead of travel, depending on the season. You might still find cheap Advance tickets closer to when you want to travel.

How can I buy cheap Advance tickets?

Our online ticket booking system is the easiest way to buy your cheap Advance tickets. Put in the date and times you want to travel, and we’ll show you what Advance tickets are available. There’s no booking fee and you won’t have to pay for delivery when you buy online and collect your tickets at the station.

The earlier you book, the more likely it is that you'll snap up a cheaper ticket. There will be reduced availability on some routes 4 weeks before travel, however Advance tickets can be available up to 6pm the night before you travel so it is always worth checking.

Other ways to get your Advance tickets include:

  • On-the-go using our On Track app (iOS)
  • Station Ticket Offices

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Read the terms and conditions for Advance tickets. Questions about Advance tickets? Contact us