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. Up to two children aged under 5 can travel free with each fare paying passenger.

Railcard discounts (see note below)

  • 16-25 Railcard: 34% discount on Standard Class fares
  • 26-30 Railcard: 34% discount on Standard Class fares
  • Disabled Persons Railcard: 34% discount on Standard & First Class fares
  • Family & Friends Railcard: 34% discount on Standard Class fares
  • HM Forces Railcard: 34% discount on Standard & First Class fares
  • Network Railcard (London & South East): 34% discount on Standard Class fares within the card's area of validity
  • Senior Railcard: 34% discount on Standard & First Class fares
  • Veterans Railcard: 34% discount on Standard & First Class fares

Other discount cards (see note below)

  • Gold Cards (London & South East): 34% discount on 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 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, Tottenham Hale/Seven Sisters after 09:40. Not valid on any train departing London Liverpool Street or Kings Cross before 09:30 or between 16:29 or 18:34 inclusive (19:00 from Kings Cross) although travel is permitted on certain trains at the beginning and end of the evening restricted period to stations on the Felixstowe, Sudbury and Braintree branch lines.

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. They are not valid on any train departing London Liverpool Street or London Kings Cross before 09:30 and not between 16:29 or 18:34 inclusive (19:00 from London Kings Cross) although travel is permitted on certain trains at the beginning and end of the evening restricted period to stations on the Felixstowe, Sudbury and Braintree branch lines.

If the route shown on the ticket has a †, the ticket includes the cost of travelling between certain London Stations (e.g. between Liverpool St and Paddington) by either London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) or First Capital Connect (Thameslink Route) services appropriate to the route of the journey being made.

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

Note: Tickets will only be accepted by London Underground and DLR on the date shown on the ticket (or last day of validity for return portions of Off-Peak Returns) and until close of service in the early hours of the following day. Other than to change trains, a break of journey at intermediate London Underground or DLR stations is not permitted.

Time restrictions do not apply on weekends and public holidays.

Conditions of use

You must travel in the class of accommodation shown on your ticket.

Railcard holders travelling on a discounted ticket must carry their Railcard when they travel. If a Railcard holder fails to produce their valid Railcard with their ticket, they will be required to pay a full priced ticket for their journey as if no Railcard and/or 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