Find out where to buy your ticket, from eTickets to collecting at the station
There are lots of different ways to buy your train tickets, depending on what suits you. You can buy train tickets online, from the ticket office, a self-service machine or through our app. In some circumstances you can also buy tickets on board the train.
How can I buy train tickets?
Buying train tickets online.
The best way to buy a train ticket is online through our app. For most routes across the UK, you can download the ticket as an eTicket, which is a collection-free and contact-free way to travel – just scan your ticket at the gate. For Advance tickets, you’ll also be able to benefit from Automated Delay Repay when you use an eTicket. If you want to use an alternative type of ticket, you can add your ticket to a smartcard or choose to use a paper ticket.
You can also buy your ticket through our website. You can choose to add your ticket to a smartcard, collect it from the station or have it posted to your home (postal tickets normally arrive within 9 days).
How to collect your train tickets from the self-service machine
Collecting the tickets that you booked online at the station is easy
When buying your ticket online, select the option to collect your ticket from the station.
Please avoid using virtual payment cards as these cannot be used to collect the ticket from the self-service machine.
When you arrive at the station, use the self-service machine to collect your tickets – you’ll need the collection number and the physical payment card that you paid with. Virtual payment cards cannot be used to collect your ticket.
If you paid using PayPal, Google Pay or Apple Pay you still need a payment card in your name and the booking reference to retrieve your ticket(s) from the self-service ticket machine, however, you can use any credit or debit card.
If you do not have a credit or debit card, you will be unable to collect your booked ticket(s) and you will be required to purchase a new set of tickets in order to travel
How can I buy train tickets at the station?
You can buy your ticket at the station by visiting a self-service machine or the ticket office.
Our self-service ticket machines are easy to use. They sell tickets for travel on the day, or up to 28 days in advance. You can buy:
You can also renew monthly season tickets, or buy your car parking if you’ve driven to the station, from the self-service machines. Self-service machines can only sell tickets that start at that station. Some machines have a video help link feature to connect you to our specialist team who can provide help if you need it.
Ranger tickets – tickets valid over a certain area.
Rover tickets – tickets valid over an area for a number of days.
Car parking tickets.
They can also sell tickets that don’t start at the station where they’re based.
How do I pay for a train ticket?
There are many ways to pay for a train ticket - from traditional cash to paying through Google and Apple Pay through the app, making it easier and more secure than ever to buy your train ticket.
Apple & Google Pay
You can now use Apple Pay and Google Pay when you're buying online or on our app.
Cards
You can use a credit or debit card to pay online, through our app, at self-service ticket machines and at the ticket office.
Paypal
You can use Paypal to buy your tickets online.
Cash
You can pay in cash at ticket offices and at select self-service machines
