What are off peak times for train travel?
Travelling into London? You can travel on any train arriving at London Waterloo (or any station in zones 1 to 6) from 10:00.
If you're travelling away from London, Standard Class and First Class tickets have slightly different rules:
Standard Class: travel on any train leaving London Waterloo from 09:00
First Class: travel on any train leaving London Waterloo from 09:00, except trains leaving between 16:00 and 19:00. You also won't be able to travel on:
- Trains leaving Vauxhall between 16:04 and 19:04
- Trains leaving Clapham Junction between 16:07 and 19:09
You can sometimes travel earlier, particularly if you're travelling long-distance - these are called easements. For the best way to find out which trains you can use your ticket on, book through our website.
Buy your train tickets now
When can I buy an Off-Peak ticket?
You can buy Off-Peak tickets from 12 weeks in advance, right up until the day you’re due to travel (usually up to 10 minutes before departure).
Are there any extra discounts on Off-Peak tickets?
With a Railcard, you can save up to 1/3 on your Off-Peak tickets. Children and young people can save even more – there’s a 50% discount for children aged 5-15, and 50% off adult Evening Out fares for anyone with a 16-17 Saver Railcard.
If you’re travelling in a group of 3-9 people, you can save a third on tickets with GroupSave discounts.
How can I buy an Off-Peak ticket?
You can buy your tickets on our website, SWR app, or at the station.
Buy your train tickets now
Can I break my journey with an Off-Peak ticket?
You can break your outward and return journey with Off-Peak train tickets on most journeys, but there are some exceptions. Check the full restrictions for your journey to make sure you can break it before you travel.
I need to travel on a different train - can I change my Off-Peak ticket?
You can use your Off-Peak ticket on any service within the eligible times (see these above). If you already have an Off-Peak ticket but want to travel at a time when it’s not valid, simply swap your ticket for one that suits your travel needs and pay the difference for the fare. We won’t charge you an admin fee for this type of change.
> What happens if I miss my train because of a delay?
If you’ve been delayed by the railway then you can use your ticket on the next train or any other train within the eligible timeframe. If your ticket wouldn’t normally be valid on the train you end up catching you can still travel on another one without paying for a new ticket.
If you have a paper ticket: speak to the ticket office or an on-board team member to get your ticket signed or stamped to allow you to travel.
If you have an e-ticket: you can ask a team member on board or at the ticket office for a Back on Track voucher.
If a delay on one of our trains means you end up being 15 minutes late or more to your destination, you can claim compensation under our Delay Repay scheme.
There are engineering works now and I don't want to travel. Can I get a refund?
If there's a change in journey times or mode of travel (such as a bus replacement service) and you no longer want to travel you can claim a full refund on the unused tickets from your original retailer.
If you're buying your tickets more than six weeks before you travel, we always recommend that you check timetables, including the planned engineering work timetable, at the six-week mark.
