Peak Train Times
If you’re catching the train to work, or need to travel during peak train times, you’ll find your tickets cost slightly more than off-peak or super off-peak tickets. However, on certain routes, the journey time is less as the trains often make fewer stops, getting you to your destination quicker. Download our easy-to-use app for up-to-date timetables, real-time travel information and to book your tickets.
When is peak time on trains?
Peak train times are generally between 06:30 and 09:30, and from 16:30 to 19:00. This is when the trains are busiest, with commuters travelling between work and home. However, with more people working from home, you’ll have a more peaceful journey than you once would!
Are there any discounts available on peak travel tickets?
Northern offers several discounts on peak train tickets.
Season tickets
For regular travellers, season tickets are a great option that saves you money on regular fares, and eliminate the need to purchase tickets every time you travel. Depending on your requirements, there are a range of season tickets that cover peak train times.
- Annual/Monthly/Weekly Season Tickets offer unlimited travel for the duration across weekdays and weekends. The longer the duration, the better value you receive eg an Annual Season Ticket is the price of 40 Weekly tickets, giving you three months of free travel
- Flexi Season Tickets are perfect if you work from home for some of the week. Allowing you to catch the train for 8 days out of 28 on your chosen route, you only pay when you travel. You don’t have to decide in advance which days those will be
- Education Season Tickets offer savings of 75% versus the adult cost when bought online
Decide which Season Ticket perfectly suits your requirements with Northern’s Season Ticket Calculator. With a user-friendly format that highlights the cheapest option, you’ll save time and money.
How do I buy peak train tickets?
You can purchase your peak train tickets up to and including the day you wish to travel:
- Through our simple-to-use downloadable app
- Online and you either collect the tickets from your nearest station or have them sent to you
- From the station ticket office
- At a ticket vending machine available at most stations
- From the train conductor, if there are no ticket offices or vending machines at your station
FAQs
Off-Peak tickets are usually available for travel on weekends or during non-commuting hours on weekdays. To determine whether a train is Peak or Off-Peak, you can check the timetable or schedule through our app or website. Peak trains are usually indicated on the timetable and have higher fares than Off-Peak trains.
If you use an off-peak ticket at peak time, you may be required to pay a penalty fare, which is an additional charge that can apply for traveling with the wrong ticket type.
The penalty fare is usually applied if a ticket inspector finds that you are traveling with an off-peak ticket during peak hours. This can happen if you board a train during off-peak hours and then continue your journey during peak hours, or if you mistakenly purchase an off-peak ticket for a journey during peak hours.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.