In this article, you'll learn the following:
Travelling by train is a quick, easy way to get from A to B. It’s also one of the most eco-friendly forms of transport, so there’s even more reason to leave your car at home.
New to the world of commuting? Not to worry. Our travel guide explains all there is to know, from keeping costs low with a Railcard to making the most of station and onboard facilities. Let’s dive in!
How to find the right ticket for your journey
There are various train tickets available for each journey. Prices depend on the time of day, the length of the journey, and whether or not you have a Railcard.
We suggest booking your train tickets in advance to make the most of the best deals. You can book as far as 12 weeks before you travel, giving you plenty of time to get organised.
When are Off-Peak tickets valid?
Off-Peak tickets can generally be used after 9:30 and before evening commuting hours of 15:30-18:15. Off-peak journeys are usually cheaper and quieter.
If you don’t have a job with 9-5 hours, Off-Peak tickets may be a good option for you. They’re a great way to save money and avoid the morning rush – win win! If you’re set to travel during rush hour, don’t worry. There are still plenty of ways you can enjoy discounted train tickets.
Season tickets
If you’ll be travelling to work on the same route every day, save time and money with season tickets. Choose the ticket that suits you, whether that’s weekly, monthly, monthly plus or annual. We also offer a Flexi Season ticket providing 8 days of travel in 28 days, anytime between two stations.
We recommend Smart season tickets, which can be accessed from your phone with our Touch Smartcard – a faster and safer way to keep hold of your tickets. You’ll also receive benefits like Automated Delay Repay notifications for delays over 15 minutes.
Touch Smartcard
Our Smartcard is a plastic card that holds all your tickets electronically. There are many benefits to smart tickets, including:
• Durable and damage-proof
• Contactless – simply tap in and out
• Timesaving – avoid queues by buying tickets from your phone
• Automated delay repay for delays over 15 minutes
Register your details with SWR and apply for a Smartcard today. You should receive your card within five working days. After that, you’ll be able to buy tickets for your Smartcard on our website or mobile app.
Tap2Go
No tickets? No problem! With Tap2Go, you can simply tap in and out on yellow smartcard readers at stations, and at the end of the day you’ll be charged the best walk-up fare. Prices are capped weekly to match season ticket prices, so you’ll never be faced with unexpected bills.
To get going, you’ll need to add Tap2Go to your Smartcard. Log into your SWR account and select “Add Tap2Go to existing smartcard”. If you have a Railcard, now’s the time to add it on for additional discounts.
Railcards & Discount cards
Railcards are one of the best ways to save money on your commute, giving you a discount of 34% off the full adult fare of every train journey. You’ll also receive discounts on some London Travelcards, PlusBus, ferry services and Ranger and Rover tickets. There are many Railcards to choose from, including:
• 16-25 Railcard
• 26-30 Railcard
• Disabled Persons Railcard
• Network Railcard
• Two Together Railcard
London Travelcards
Commuting into London? A London Travelcard will help keep your journey as low-cost as possible, offering unlimited travel on the Underground (zones 1-4 or 1-6), Overground, TfL Rail, Docklands Light Railway, buses, trams, and most National Rail services in London.
Travelcards include the Anytime Day Travelcard, Off-Peak Day Travelcard, Group Day Travelcard and Travelcard Season Ticket. If you’re commuting daily, a Travelcard Season Ticket is your best option, with a choice of seven-day, monthly, three-month, six-month, custom or annual Travelcards.
There are many reliable ways to check journey information like departure times, whether your train is running on time and how busy it is.
Download the SWR app
The SWR app provides all the information you need to prepare for your journey, including:
• Live departure times
• Real-time train location and arrival countdown
• Updates on delays or cancellations
• How busy your train is
The SWR app also allows you to book on the go, add your favourite stations, reserve bike spaces, access help and more. Download it from the App Store or Google Play to get started!
Get live updates with AlertMe
AlertMe is another way to stay updated during your commute. Simply register your details to receive personalised travel updates via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or SMS text messages.
Information includes updates on delays, alternative trains and compensation eligibility, and further transport options to help you complete your full journey.
Refunds and delay repay
If your train is delayed or cancelled, you may be eligible for a refund. You can also apply for a refund if your plans change and you didn’t take your intended journey, or if you have a season ticket you no longer need. Refunds vary based on your ticket type and when it was purchased.
If your train has been cancelled or delayed but you still need to make your journey, delay repay can offer compensation. Your delay must be 15 minutes or longer for you to be eligible, and claims must be made no more than 28 days after your journey. For quick, easy compensation, Smart Season Ticket and advanced ticket holders can sign up for Automated Delay Repay (ADR).
If you’re commuting for the first time or have special requirements, finding your local station information can help with your journey.
Station information pages
Our station information pages provide details for over 200 stations on our network, including:
• Live departure and arrival times
• Map and address of station
• Step-free access
• Ticket collection areas
• Bike storage space
• Food and drink
• Station toilets
• Current and upcoming engineering works
If you have a specific request, such as Assisted Travel or information about the location of an Assisted Boarding Point, you can find this on our station information pages.
Parking at the station
Car parking is available at most of our stations, and charges occur daily. You can pay for daily parking tickets using a ticket machine, on the RingGo app, online or by phone on 01256 80 28 04.
Car parking season tickets are useful for daily commuters, with reserved, marked parking bays. Choose from weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual parking season tickets to enjoy discounted, guaranteed parking.
InPost parcel lockers
If you’re expecting a delivery while at work, make the most of an InPost parcel Locker. Held in a secure locker, you can access your post with a personal barcode at a time that’s convenient for you. Lockers can be found at nearly 30 SWR stations, including Hampton and Whitton.
Onboard facilities
From Wi-Fi to bike storage areas, we offer a range of facilities onboard our trains to ensure a comfortable journey.
Wi-Fi
Stay connected and enjoy internet access with free Wi-Fi onboard our trains, perfect for getting started on work or switching off after a long day. You’ll also find Wi-Fi at all SWR-managed stations across our network.
Travelling with a bike
We love to welcome cyclists onboard, but bike spaces are limited if you’re travelling with a bike during rush hour. Space is allocated on a first come, first served basis. Some stations (such as London Waterloo) have bike restrictions during rush hour, so check that your departure and arrival stations allow bikes before making your journey.
SWR Rewards
SWR Rewards is our gift to you for travelling with us. Simply show your train tickets when booking days out, dining, shopping, hotels, theatre trips and more, and enjoy fantastic savings. Train travel also grants you access to a range of 2FOR1 offers on attractions all over the country.
Travel with South Western Railway and enjoy a smooth commute every day. For more travel tips and journey inspiration, visit our travel blog.
If you are a business client, you can buy business train tickets with Business Direct, SWR’s business and corporate train service platform.
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