Ticket Types

Ticket types & restrictions

What types of ticket are there to choose from?

We offer a range of tickets and value-added packages to suit your requirements and budget. Most tickets fall into one of three categories:

Buy in advance, specified trains:
Advance tickets are sold only as single fares, allowing you to purchase the best deal on each stage of your journey. Advance tickets are subject to availability and carry restrictions in terms of which dates and trains you must travel on and offer no refund. These tickets go on sale approximately 12 weeks ahead of travel and can sell out quickly.

Buy anytime, travel off-peak:
If you need a little more flexibility but can travel during off peak times there are still some excellent fares available (e.g. Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak). You can purchase these tickets up to a few minutes before your train departs and they are usually valid on all train operators' services.

NB: These tickets may have restrictions in terms of breaking your journey, time of travel and direction of travel. Please refer to the ticket terms and conditions during the purchase process.

Buy anytime, travel anytime:
Anytime single and return tickets are fully flexible and can be purchased up to a few minutes before your train departs. They are valid on all train operators' services.

Anytime Return tickets are valid for one calendar month and Single tickets are valid for one day.
Do you offer ranger and rover tickets?

With Ranger and Rover tickets, you get unlimited off-peak travel for a day, or even longer. They’re great for both long day trips, and for exploring the towns and cities on our network.
Can I break my journey?

Anytime ticket - Breaking your journey is allowed on all Anytime tickets.

Off-Peak ticket - In most cases a break of journey is permitted on Off-Peak tickets (unless otherwise indicated by that ticket's restrictions). All travel must be completed by 04:29 in the morning after the day the journey started.

Super Off-Peak ticket - In most cases a break of journey is permitted on Super Off-Peak tickets (unless otherwise indicated by that ticket's restrictions). All travel must be completed by 04:29 in the morning after the day the journey started.

Advance ticket - A break of journey isn't possible with Advance tickets. You can't start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on your ticket or other valid travel itinerary.
At what times can I use Peak and Off-Peak Day Travelcards?

Travelcards are great for getting around London. They can typically be used on almost all of London's public transport services. Some Travelcards are valid on our services, as long as they're within the Zones specified on your ticket.

You can use Peak Day Travelcards at any time from Monday to Friday on the day your ticket is valid. It's cheaper to buy an Off-peak Day Travelcard on weekends and public holidays. Off-peak Day Travelcards can be used on journeys after 09:30 from Monday to Friday. They can also be used at anytime at the weekend and on public holidays. Just make sure you travel on the day your ticket is valid. Both tickets are valid until 04:30 the next day.

Buying a ticket

Can I use cash?

We are accepting cash onboard our trains and at our stations, but we encourage you to buy your tickets online or on the GWR app before you travel. Or, go paperless with a mobile e-ticket or our touch smartcard.

This will reduce contact with other people and help with social distancing at stations. If you travel between Reading and London Paddington, we’d prefer you to use Contactless pay as you go.
How far in advance can I book a ticket?

Advance tickets and reservations are usually available up to 11 weeks prior to travel. Other ticket types may be available much earlier but it may not be possible to make a reservation.
Are there discounts for groups of people travelling together?

If you’re travelling with friends or family, you can use GroupSave to reduce the cost of travel if between 3 and 9 people are travelling together.

We have a dedicated Group Travel team to help groups of travellers of 10 or more.
How do I buy a Railcard?

Get a third off a wide range of train tickets with a Railcard and save money. You can buy a Railcard online or at a staffed National Rail ticket office.
Can I change the way I collect my tickets?

You won't be able to change the ticket collection method once the booking has been confirmed.
Can I have my tickets delivered to a different address?

When you book your ticket will be asked for your billing address (this is the address to which your payment card is registered). You must complete this field. You can then choose to have your tickets delivered to another address. Please complete the delivery address field making sure you include the correct postcode.

You won't be able to change the delivery address or collection method once the booking has been confirmed.
Can I buy tickets for the London Underground on GWR.com?

We'll usually offer the option to add an Underground ticket with your booking if part of your journey involves using the tube or if you type in a London Zone as your destination station when searching for tickets. All the tickets you need should be included in one payment when you book on our website. You can also usually buy Day Travelcards through our website as an add-on if your arrival station is in London
How does PlusBus work?

PlusBus is a discount price ticket for unlimited bus travel around town (similar to a bus pass) that you buy with your train ticket. Bus travel can be at the start, the finish, or both ends of your train journey, so you pay for your complete train and bus journey in one easy transaction.

For each town with a PlusBus scheme, there is one zone that covers the whole urban area (your train journey must start or finish outside of this bus travel zone).

With your PlusBus ticket you can travel as much as you like on all participating bus services anywhere within the zone. When you buy your train ticket on this website, you will be given the option to buy PlusBus tickets (where they are available) during the booking process.

Alternatively, if booking by phone or at a station, just ask for a PlusBus ticket.

Further details about PlusBus can be found on the PlusBus website.
How do I find my booking reference?

A booking reference is 8 alpha-numerical characters. It will be included in the confirmation email you receive when you have made a booking.

To view your reference, log into My Account then click "Check my order status". This shows all the bookings you have made. The booking reference number is at the top of this page.
How do I collect tickets from a ticket machine?

To collect your tickets, all you usually need is the card you used to make your booking and the 8-digit booking reference. If you paid for your tickets in full using PayPal or an e-voucher, you can use any debit or credit card for collection.

Head over to the ticket machines when you get to the station, choose the 'Collect' option and follow the instructions on the screen. It's worth noting that you don't actually have to collect your tickets from the station you selected when you booked your ticket. You can collect your ticket from any National Rail station with ticket machines across the UK.
What do I do if I have lost my tickets?

It is really important to keep hold of your tickets after you've collected or received them. If you lose your tickets, you'll need to buy new tickets to travel. This is in line with the National Rail Conditions of Travel.

If you find your lost tickets, we might be able to refund them depending on the type of ticket you had. Visit the place or website you bought your original tickets from and they'll process your refund. A refund must be requested within 28 days of the ticket's validity.

Advance tickets are non-refundable.
When do I have to pay for children?

Pay half fare for children aged 5 – 15, and take up to two children under five free of charge. Children under five travelling free can use a seat, provided it's not needed by a fare-paying customer.
If I purchase a ticket for a child, do they need to carry ID / proof of age?

It is sometimes necessary for children to prove their age when travelling on a child ticket. It might therefore be wise for them to carry some form of ID.
Will I get a receipt for the tickets I purchased?

If you book on our website, your confirmation email acts as your receipt. If your tickets are being delivered by post then a receipt will be enclosed with them. If collecting from a self service ticket machine the receipt will be printed with the tickets.

If you're buying your ticket from a station ticket vending machine, you'll either be given a receipt automatically or given the option to print one. Our ticket offices will usually give you a receipt too, unless you ask us not to.

There are no VAT charges on train tickets.
What is GWR's VAT number?

Train tickets are zero-rated for VAT but our VAT number is 876 3057 01.
What should I do if I have not received the tickets I booked at GWR.com?

Tickets are dispatched within 24 hours of booking and delivered within 4 postal days. If you have not received your tickets within 7 postal days then please call Web Support on 03457 000 125 ensuring that you have your booking reference handy.
Can I have information about Business Travel?

If you travel for work, you might like to use our dedicated rail booking and business management service, Business Direct, to organise your travel quickly and easily. You can call our team on 03457 000 125, or email gwrbusinessdirect@gwr.com.
Can conference venues and organisers get a discount on train fares?

Conference Fares are specially priced rail tickets (up to 80% off some Anytime Return fares) which are available for purchase by confirmed conference delegates.

Conference venues and organisers can contact us for more information at salesenquiries@gwr.com.

Amending a ticket

How do I change my ticket and will I be charged?
The cost of amending a ticket depends on the terms and conditions of your ticket, the nature of the change you wish to make, and the availability of fares at the time.
- you can change the time, date, or class of an Advance ticket. There's a £10 fee for each ticket, plus any increase in the fare and postage to send your new tickets to you. If the new fare is less, you'll still need to pay the £10, and you won't get any difference back
- Super Off-Peak, Off-Peak and Anytime tickets can be changed for a charge of £10 each, plus postage if applicable; if you bought online, or with our app, you’ll need to claim a refund and buy a new ticket
Check our changing your ticket page for more information about rescheduling your journey.
Can I upgrade my ticket to First Class?

Sometimes our trains are quieter than we’d like during the week. So, we’ve got together with the team at Seatfrog to give you the chance to bid on a First Class seat - seamlessly from your mobile phone.

We also offer weekend First Class upgrades for as little as £10 extra.
My train was cancelled today. Can I use my ticket tomorrow instead?

If your train is cancelled, you will be allowed to use your ticket on the next available service.

To travel on another day, you will usually need to buy a new ticket and apply for a refund on the original - this applies to all Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak singles. This also applies to Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak returns if you are on the outward leg of your journey.

However, if you hold an Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak return and are on the return leg, you can use the same ticket as long as it is within 1 calendar month of the specified outbound date.

With an Anytime return, you can make your outbound journey on any train up to 5 days after the specified start date, and return on any train within 1 calendar month of the specified outbound date.

Season tickets

Why should I get a season ticket?

If you travel on the same route three or more days a week, you could save hundreds of pounds and avoid the daily ticket office queues by buying a train season ticket. Plus, you can travel between your origin and destination stations, including intermediate stations, as much as you want - even on weekends
How much will my season ticket cost?

National Rail have a handy season ticket calculator that you can use to work out all season ticket options and prices.
Can I use a Railcard with my season ticket?

Railcard discounts are not available on season tickets, as these tickets are already heavily discounted.
Can I get a replacement season ticket?

It’s important that you keep your ticket safe. If you lose a paper season ticket, we can give you a duplicate, but we will charge you an admin fee. If for any reason your ticket stops working, where possible we will replace it with a Touch Smartcard.

If you have a Touch Smartcard, please let us know if you lose it, we will immediately cancel the card and a new one can be arranged. You can read the full terms and conditions of your Touch Smartcard.
Can I get a refund on my season ticket?

In most cases, we can refund an unused portion of your season ticket. You can return the season ticket to where you bought it and we’ll give you a refund from the date you handed it back. We calculate the refund as the difference between the cost of the season ticket you originally bought and the cost of a season ticket for the amount of time you actually used it.

Our season tickets offer great value for regular travellers because you pay a lot less per day for your journey than on daily tickets. You also save more per day on a yearly season ticket than you do on a monthly one, for example. An annual season ticket is calculated on the rate for 40 weeks. So, you might find that there’s only a very small amount, or nothing, to refund when you return it to us if there is little validity remaining.

You can use the season ticket refund calculator to find the value of your refund.
If I buy my season ticket online, how many Nectar points will I collect?

Buy your annual season ticket online and you’ll collect 2,500 Nectar points. Monthly tickets earn 200 Nectar points and weekly tickets earn 50 Nectar points. If you bought your season ticket online within the last 24 hours, you still have time to collect points by linking your Nectar card.
What compensation do season ticket holders receive for delays?

Our compensation for customers with a season ticket valid for a month or longer is based on whether we meet our punctuality and reliability targets over the last year. If we don’t meet them by a defined margin, we’ll give you a discount when you renew your ticket.
How do I receive my season ticket renewal discount?
If you bought your season from one of our Ticket offices, we will automatically apply any discount due when you renew your ticket. If you bought your ticket via our website, you can claim the discount retrospectively by contacting GWR Customer Support.

To get your discount, please buy your new ticket:
- within four weeks of the day your old ticket expires
- for the same journey and class of travel
- for the same period of time or for a shorter period of time than your old ticket
What is a void day?

A Void day is when we have experienced serious disruption at peak time, and we haven’t offered you another way to get to where you’re going – like a rail replacement bus or alternative route. If we think our performance falls below an acceptable level during a peak period or we issue ‘do not travel’ advice, we’ll declare the day ‘void’ for the people affected who can claim compensation as an extension on their season ticket, or a refund based on the number of Void days.

Mobile e-Tickets

What do I need to get a mobile e-Ticket?

You’ll need to download the GWR mobile app (available from your app store). Then you can buy tickets from either the app or GWR.com to save straight to your mobile device.
Are all ticket types available as mobile tickets?

Most single and return ticket types, including Advance Single fares are available as mobile tickets. Season tickets aren’t available as mobile tickets yet - but we’ll keep you updated.
How do I buy a mobile ticket?

You can buy from either the GWR app or GWR.com. If a mobile ticket is available it will be shown as a delivery option. If you’re buying a ticket on the go, make sure you’ve got a good mobile signal or are connected to Wi-Fi.
Can I still get a Railcard discount with a mobile ticket?

Yes, normal Railcard discounts will apply.
Can I still reserve a seat with a mobile ticket?

Yes, if available, you can reserve your seat.
How quickly will my mobile ticket be delivered to me?

Your mobile ticket will be delivered to your device as soon as you’ve paid for it.
Will I still get an email confirmation when buying a mobile ticket?

Yes, you will still receive an email confirmation.
What do I do at a station with gates?

Have your mobile device ready, with the barcode showing from the app. To enter or leave, place the screen against the scanner on the right-hand side of the gate. if a station doesn’t have a scanner, any member of staff will be able to check your ticket and let you through.
What happens if I forget my phone, or the battery is dead?

If you can’t show your mobile ticket, you will need to buy another ticket. So make sure you bring your mobile device and keep it charged. We provide power sockets on most of our trains.
What happens if I can’t get signal on my phone?

Your mobile ticket is stored in the ‘My Tickets’ section of the GWR app. So you’ll still be able to view it, even if there isn’t a mobile signal available.
Can I print off my barcode as a back-up?

No. Your mobile ticket is unique and we can’t allow copies of it to be made.

Smartcards

Can I have information about Touch Smartcards?

Our touch smartcard is available for Single, Return and Season tickets on most of our network, and offers a quick and easy way to store your train tickets.

Check our Touch Smartcard page for information on how to get your free smartcard and a helpful guide on how to use it.
How do I get a new touch smartcard?

We have got two options for you to get a Smartcard

Online: You’ll need to set up an account on GWR.com. When you’ve done this, you can apply for a smartcard by going to the Manage My Smartcards section under My account. Just fill in the details and upload a passport-style photo. You should get your touch smartcard within 5 working days.

Ticket Office: You can get a Smartcard at most GWR Ticket Offices. You will need to provide your details to be printed on the card.
Where can I use my touch smartcard?

You’ll be able to use your touch smartcard for travel across the whole of Great Britain, and on the London Underground using London TravelCards.
How do I buy a smart ticket?

It’s easy to buy tickets with your touch smartcard online, from a GWR ticket machine, or from a GWR ticket office.

Online:
1.    Login to your touch smartcard account
2.   Follow the simple instructions
3.   Tap at the ticket gate or platform validator at your chosen station to collect (allow 2 hours after buying).

From a GWR Ticket Office:
Talk to us and we’ll help you find the ticket you need. You can buy season, Single and Return and London Travelcard tickets.

From a GWR ticket machine:
1.   Tap your card on the machine’s card reader
2.   Follow the simple instructions to buy your ticket
3.   Tap your card on the reader again to load your ticket
Can I still get a Railcard discount with a smart ticket?

Yes, normal Railcard discounts will apply for singles and return tickets. Your Railcard works in the same way as it does with any other type of ticket.
How quickly will my smart ticket be delivered to me?

If you buy a smart ticket from GWR.com your ticket should be ready for collection within two hours. If you buy your ticket from a GWR ticket office or ticket machine then it is instantly uploaded to the card at the time of purchase.
Will I still get an email confirmation when buying a smart ticket?

Yes, you will still receive an email confirmation if you buy a smart ticket on GWR.com.
What do I do at a station with ticket gates?

Once your ticket has been added to your touch smartcard you can travel as normal. To ‘tap in’, present your touch smartcard at the ticket gate or platform validator (where available). Just do the same at the end of your journey to ‘tap out’.

If you have more than one contactless card in your wallet, make sure you keep them apart when you tap in and out to avoid card clash.
I have a season ticket on my GWR touch smartcard, do I need to carry my photocard with me?

If you are travelling on GWR or any other train operator’s service, you do not need to carry a separate photocard.
Can more than one person travel using the same GWR touch smartcard?

Your GWR touch smartcard can’t be used by anyone else.
What happens if I leave my GWR smartcard at home?

This is the same as leaving any kind of ticket at home – you’ll need to buy a new ticket for your journey.

If you have a season ticket on your GWR touch smartcard you may be entitled to a refund of the cost of this new ticket. Keep the ticket and ask at the ticket office within 28 days – bring your GWR smartcard with you.

An administration fee of £10 may be applied for the first two occasions when a refund is requested. No further refund will be provided in any 12-month period, starting with the date of the first occasion the Season Ticket could not be produced and regardless of the number of Season Tickets purchased in that time.
What should I do if my GWR touch smartcard has been lost or stolen?

Call our Web Support team on 03457 000 125. We’ll cancel your GWR touch smartcard to stop anyone else from using it and send you a new one.

We can arrange for a replacement ticket to be added to your smartcard if the ticket was purchased at a GWR station or on our website. We may charge a fee to replace your tickets.
What should I do if my GWR touch smartcard stops working?

Speak to a member of staff at any GWR station first. If your GWR touch smartcard needs to be replaced, visit any GWR station ticket office, or call Web Support on 03457 000 125.

Travel Updates

Travel Updates

Get all the information on different ticket types, restrictions and help around buying or amending a ticket.

Ticket types & restrictions

Buying a ticket

Amending a ticket

Season tickets

Mobile e-Tickets

Smartcards