Buying your ticket

Whether you want the convenience of buying online or need some advice, discover the best way to get your ticket.

Buying your ticket

There are a number of ways you can now pay for your ticket:

• PayPal (online and through our app)
• Credit or Debit Card (online, through our app, at self-service ticket machines and at the ticket office)
• Cash (at some self-service ticket machines and at the ticket office)
• Cheque (business cheques for annual season tickets - only accepted at ticket offices)
• Rail Travel Vouchers (at ticket offices only)

Buying online

The easiest way to buy tickets is through southwesternrailway.com - it takes just a few minutes, and your tickets are ready in just a couple of hours. You can use self-service machines at most National Rail or South Western Railway stations - you'll just need your collection reference number and the card you paid with (unless you've paid with PayPal - you'll be able to use any valid credit or debit card if you're picking up tickets paid for this way).

Buying through our app

You can download our app from your favourite app store. Using our apps gives you access to e-tickets, which are activated instantly when you've bought them - so you can buy them on the way to the station! If you’re using an Android operating system or an iPhone running iOS 13, you can also activate tickets on your touch Smartcard through the app and your phone. You'll also be able to arrange for paper ticket collection at stations with your collection reference number and the card you paid with.

Using self-service ticket machines

We have self-service machines at most stations (except Beaulieu Road, Holton Heath, Longcross, Millbrook and Redbridge). All machines take cards, and at least 1 machine at each station will accept cash.

Some of our stations have Virtual Ticket Office machines - which will connect you to one of our friendly advisers with a video link.

Buying over the phone

Get advice and buy tickets over the phone from our Customer Service Centre – you can call us on 0345 6000 650. It’s open 06:00 to 22:00 every day except 25 and 26 December. You can collect your tickets at any of our self-service machines – they’ll be ready 10 minutes after booking, and you’ll need the debit or credit card you paid with. Alternatively, you can have your tickets sent by post – allow 5 working days for delivery.

At the ticket office

Our ticket offices can offer a full range of tickets, including rangers and rovers.