Train tickets explained

Advance Purchase (AP) train tickets are your route to finding the best train fare and offer savings of over 50%.

Advance tickets go on sale up to 24 weeks ahead of the journey and are available to purchase up to 15 minutes before departure on most routes, subject to availability. They are always one-way.

Advance tickets are available for both Standard and First Class train travel and they are only valid on the specific train service chosen at booking. Make sure you pay attention to the specific time and date written on your ticket.

They are train company specific, so you’d only be able to use an Advanced Purchase ticket stating ‘TPE Only’ on a TransPennine Express service, unless the ticket stated ‘and connections’ (meaning travel is allowed on appropriate connecting services owned by other train operating companies).

You can now change your Advance train ticket for free and will only have to pay the difference between an old and new fare.

The Airport Advance is just the ticket for travel to and from Manchester Airport.

It works the same as a regular Advance, but it’s more flexible in case your flight to the UK experiences any delays.

Just make sure you book your train ticket from the Airport at least an hour after your scheduled arrival time; that way, if your flight is delayed, you'll still be able to travel up to three hours after the time on your train ticket. If the next service to your destination is timed to depart more than three hours after the original departure time you may use this service.

If your flights delayed, don't forget to endorse your ticket at the Manchester Airport station ticket office before you board the train.

These are the most flexible train tickets with no restrictions on the time of day you can travel between your chosen stations. Due to this flexibility, they can be a little more expensive.

There are four types of anytime ticket: Anytime Day Single tickets and Anytime Day Return tickets need to be used on the date shown on the ticket. Single tickets can only be used for one journey. For return tickets, you’ll need to return on the same day you departed. You can travel at any time that day and up until 04:29 the following morning.

Anytime Return tickets (also known as Open Return) allow you to travel within five days of the date shown on your train ticket and return journeys must be made within one calendar month.

Anytime Short Return have the same conditions as the Anytime Return but the outward journey is valid for one day not five. The return journey can still be made within one calendar month.

All four types of Anytime ticket are available for both Standard and First Class train travel, and can only be used once each. You can download the tickets on your mobile with the TPE App, but if you prefer the physical thing you can opt to receive your tickets by post, or collect your pre-paid tickets from ticket vending machines at participating stations.

Off-Peak travel offers cheaper train tickets during quieter times of day.

There are four types of Off-Peak ticket: Off-Peak Day Single tickets, Off-Peak Day Return tickets, Off-Peak Return tickets and Super Off-Peak tickets. They can all be bought in advance or on the same day.

Off-Peak Day tickets can be Single or Return. They are only valid for one journey on the specific date shown. For return tickets, this means you must return on the same day you departed (or before 4:29am the following day).

Off-Peak Return tickets are different. They allow you to travel after a certain ‘peak’ time in the morning. This peak time can change between train operating companies so always check before you travel. They also allow you to return within one calendar month of your outbound journey (or up until 4:29am after the last day of validity), as long as you travel during off peak hours.

Super Off-Peak tickets are just like Off-Peak Return tickets but they have different time restrictions. Peak times vary between operators and ticket types so make sure you check the terms of your ticket before travelling. To check, you need to look for the two character restriction code on your ticket e.g. XX. You can then visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/XX (replacing 'XX' with your code) for the full conditions of your ticket.

If you travel regularly along the same route, buying a Season Ticket online is the best way to save time and money on your train tickets.

Season Tickets are available to buy on a Smart card in stations or on our website and they can be topped up online. Regular Season Tickets are available for seven days, a calendar month, and any period between one and 12 months, and can be used for travel any day within the validity of the ticket.

They must be used on routes between the stations stated on the ticket before the expiry date and be accompanied by a photocard.

There are lots of benefits of having a Season Ticket, including free First Class travel on TransPennine Express weekend services for no extra cost for those with monthly or longer Season tickets.

Flexi Season Tickets offer eight days of travel in 28 days - any time between the same two stations.

It’s a flexible solution that’s perfect if you need to travel to work a couple of times a week at peak time Monday to Friday. Pay for the days you need, spend the rest wherever you like.

These tickets are generally only available with a Smart card but some retailers may offer it as a ticket or eticket. These tickets are available to anyone over 16 and 50% discounts are available to those with a 16-17 Saver and Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card.

You will need to activate your Flexi season ticket on each day of travel. You can do this via the National Rail Smart card Manager app available from the App store or Google Play.

A First Class ticket option is available on all TransPennine Express services. With your First Class ticket you can enjoy free food and drink on services where refreshments are provided.

Upgrade with Seatfrog - If you’ve booked a Standard Class ticket, you can use the free Seatfrog app to bid for an upgrade. Auctions open 24hrs before departure; simply place your bid then sit back and watch out for Seatfrog notifications to see if you’re a winner. It’s totally free to take part and you only pay if you win. Find out more.

Weekend First - Upgrade your Standard Class ticket on any TransPennine Express service on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays with our Weekend First. The price is either £10, £15, £20 or £25 per person one-way depending on the distance you’re travelling. Simply find an unreserved First Class seat and pay the Conductor for your upgrade.

Weekend First tickets can be purchased on the following routes in either direction:

Manchester to York for £15
Manchester to Leeds for £10
Manchester to Newcastle for £20
Manchester to Edinburgh for £25
Preston to Edinburgh for £25

Subject to availability.

Please note there are no child or Railcard discounts available on Weekend First.

Please keep in mind that Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) season tickets, e.g., MetroCards, do not qualify for the weekend First Class upgrade.

If you’re travelling in a group of three to nine people, book TPE Advance tickets together on our website and you’ll save 20%.

This discount is available on Standard and First Class tickets – make sure you look out for the ‘G’ icon when selecting your tickets online.

Ten or more of you? Get in touch with our team and secure yourself a group discount. Find out more.

Rover tickets offer flexibility and great value for money if you want unlimited travel in a specified area. 

They're valid for multiple days and can be bought for a specific area. They’re perfect for exploring the cities, towns and coastlines of Britain with the freedom to travel at your own pace.

More information about the areas covered by these tickets and any time restrictions on their use can be found here: Unlimited travel: Rover train tickets.

Buy tickets

We’ve got some great discounts for those travelling with children. Get free travel for two under five-year-olds with any adult passenger holding a ticket

Children up to 16 years old are entitled to 50% discount on most tickets bought in advance.

The Family and Friends Railcard is a good option if you're travelling with kids and looking to save money on train tickets.