Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Terms and Conditions

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Singles and Returns are cheaper tickets for travelling on trains that are less busy.

Off-Peak Returns are period returns, valid for one month. For journeys on Greater Anglia services only there are no Super Off-Peak period returns. For longer journeys to destinations served by other train companies, Super Off-Peak Returns are sometimes available.

For travel on Greater Anglia, we also offer Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns within a certain radius of London. Look up the availability and terms and conditions of Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day tickets.

Availability

Tickets can be bought in advance or immediately before travel.

Children (5-15): 50% discount.

Railcard discounts (see note below)

  • 16-25 Railcard: one-third off Standard Class fares
  • 26-30 Railcard: one-third off Standard Class fares
  • Disabled Persons Railcard: one-third off Standard and First Class fares
  • Family & Friends Railcard: one-third off Standard Class fares,
  • HM Forces Railcard: one-third off Standard and First Class fares
  • Network Railcard (London & South East): one-third off Standard Class fares within the card's area of validity
  • Senior Railcard: one-third off Standard and First Class fares
  • Two Together Railcard: one-third off Standard and First Class fares for two named cardholders travelling together
  • Veterans Railcard: one-third off Standard and First Class fares

Other discount cards (see note below)

  • Annual Gold Cards (London & South East): one-third off Standard Class fares within the card's area of validity
  • Jobcentre Plus discount card: 50% discount on Standard Class fares

Note: Minimum fares and time restrictions may apply to tickets bought with a Railcard or other discount card. See terms and conditions of the appropriate Railcard or discount card for details.

When and where the ticket can be used

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets may require you to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route, but can be used at any time at weekends and Bank Holidays.

Our journey planner can tell you when your ticket can be used – simply enter your outward and return journey times to see the trains you can travel on. You can also buy your train ticket using the journey planner.

Plan your journey

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Singles and the outward part of Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Return tickets are valid for travel on the date shown on your ticket and until 04:29 the following morning. If the journey cannot be completed in this time, the ticket may be used to continue the journey on the following day.

Unless otherwise indicated in the relevant restriction code, time restrictions apply as from the initial origin station on both days. The appropriate restrictions for the actual day on which travel is being undertaken apply (for example, it may be that if day one is on Sunday, no restrictions apply, but on day two, the Monday-Friday restrictions apply). All travel must be completed by 04:29 in the morning after this second day. Please note that break of journey is not permitted on some journeys, as detailed in the ticket restrictions.

For Greater Anglia journeys, Off-Peak tickets are valid for any train scheduled to arrive at London Liverpool Street or London Kings Cross at or after 10:00, Stratford (London) after 09:50 and Tottenham Hale after 09:40. They are not valid on any train departing London Liverpool Street or Kings Cross before 09:30 or, to Ipswich and beyond, or to Brandon and beyond via Cambridge, between 16:31 and 18:34 except during school holiday periods.

Return portions of Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Return tickets are valid for travel within one calendar month of the first date of validity. They are valid for travel until 04:29 on the day following the last day of validity. All travel must be completed by this time.

Time restrictions do not apply on weekends and public holidays.

If the route shown on the ticket has a †, the ticket permits travel across London by London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Thameslink or Elizabeth line services between National Rail stations on the line of route of the ticket. Other than to change trains, a break of journey at intermediate London Underground, Elizabeth line or DLR stations is not permitted.

More information about travelling across London to connect with another National Rail service

Conditions of use

You must hold a First Class ticket to travel in First Class accommodation.

Railcard holders travelling with a discounted ticket must carry their Railcard with them. If a Railcard holder fails to produce a valid Railcard with their ticket, they will be required to buy a full priced ticket for their journey as if no ticket were held.

The outward part of an Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Return ticket is only valid for travel when accompanied by an unused return part of the same ticket.

First Class Off-Peak tickets may provide access to First Class Lounges at stations. For more information check the First Class page on National Rail

Break of journey

On Greater Anglia services, break of journey is allowed on Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets.

Changing the time or date of travel

If you wish to change your time of travel to peak time or upgrade the class of the ticket, you can pay the difference between the cost of the ticket held and the cost of the ticket that is most appropriate for the journey you need to make. As Off-Peak tickets do not restrict you to travelling on a particular train, if you wish to travel on a different off-peak service from the one you originally intended to use, no excess fare will be payable, provided that the ticket is not out of date.

If you wish to change the date of travel, or the origin or destination of your ticket, it may be necessary to buy a new ticket and apply for a refund on your existing ticket (see below).

Refunds

The Off-Peak ticket is refundable.

If you decide not to use your Off-Peak ticket to make all or part of your intended journey then you can get a refund by returning your unused ticket to the ticket office or place of purchase (for tickets bought via websites, telesales or travel agents) within 28 days of the ticket expiry date. You may be required to pay an administration fee.

The refund amount will normally take into account any use you have made of the ticket and in some circumstances no refund will be paid.

All tickets and travel are subject to National Rail Conditions of Carriage