Advance tickets are a great way to save money if you're able to be flexible about when you travel, and don't mind being committed to catching a specific train. We sell Advance train tickets on our quieter trains on long-distance routes, and both Standard Class and First Class tickets are available.
Advance tickets are for single journeys only, so if you're making a return trip you'll need to make sure you buy a ticket for each direction! You can mix-and-match your advance tickets, times, and class of travel to suit your travel needs.
Advance tickets are non-refundable, unless your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.
When can I buy an Advance ticket?
We'll put advance tickets on sale up to 12 weeks ahead of time and you can buy them up until 23:59 on the day before you travel, but the earlier you book, the better the chance of getting a cheaper ticket! Remember that Advance tickets are limited in number, so when one fare is sold out, it won't be available anymore for that train.
Advance tickets are currently on sale up to and including the dates below:
Route
Available for booking
Notes
Weymouth Route
Services passing through Eastleigh and Southampton
Until 16 February
Advance Purchase tickets are not available: 6, 25, & 26 December
West of England Route
Services passing through Overton and Salisbury
Until 16 February
Advance Purchase tickets are not available: 6-7, & 25-26 December
Portsmouth Route
Services to/from Portsmouth
Until 16 February
Advance Purchase tickets are not available: 6, 25, & 26 December
Details last updated: 04/12/2023
Are there any extra discounts on Advance tickets?
You can save 34% extra with all railcards on Standard Class Advance fares except Network Railcards and Gold Cards. If you hold the following railcards, you’re also entitled to 34% off all First Class Advance fares.
Discounts also apply on all child Advance tickets!
Are there any extra discounts on Advance tickets?
The easiest way to buy train tickets in advance is through our website or on our app, but you can also buy your Advance tickets at any of our ticket offices.
You cannot purchase Advance tickets at our ticket machines at stations.
Advance rail tickets don't allow you to break your journey, so you'll need to travel from your starting station to your destination without leaving the railway.
I need to travel on a different train - can I change my ticket?
You can change your booking up to the time of departure. An admin fee may apply depending on when you bought your ticket and how far in advance you make your change to your journey. You may also need to pay the difference between the ticket price paid and the new ticket. You can find out more here.
I need to travel on a different train - can I change my ticket?
If you've been delayed by the railway (for example, if you miss your connecting service because of a delay to your train) then you can use your ticket on the next train. If your ticket wouldn't normally be valid on that train (for example, if it's a peak time train) then speak to the ticket office or on-board team to get your ticket stamped or signed to allow you to travel.
If you've been delayed by something that's not within our control, then you'll need to buy a new ticket. Speak to the station team who will be able to give you more advice and help.
If a delay on one of our trains means you end up being 15 minutes late or more to your destination, you may be entitled to claim compensation under our Delay Repay scheme.
There are engineering works now and I don't want to travel. Can I get a refund?
If there's a change in journey times or mode of travel (a bus replacement service) and you no longer want to travel, you can claim a full refund on the unused tickets from your original retailer.
The timetable has changed and the train I'm booked to travel on isn't running. What can I do?
If you purchase an Advance train ticket more than six weeks before your journey, please make sure you check back with us six weeks before you travel to see if your train time, mode of travel (bus replacement instead of a train) and price have changed.
If you check back and your train time has changed significantly (moved by over 15 minutes either side of your ticket), then your tickets will be valid on the service immediately before or after the one you planned to travel on. You won't need to make any changes to your ticket.
You can request a refund if you decide not to travel because the service you originally intended to travel on is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.
