Major disruption across the network // Please do not wait for the last train services between Waterloo and Bournemouth-Click for more information - Last updated: 11:17 PM
Find the right ticket with the best price for your journey
Off-Peak tickets are a great way to save money on train tickets by travelling on quieter trains, but still giving you more flexibility than a Super Off-Peak ticket. They're ideal for days out where you want to avoid the morning rush, or for a working lunch that means you might have to return during the evening commute. They're available for both Standard Class and First Class travel.
SWR offer great deals in corporate train tickets, through their free platform Business Direct. To know more about our corporate train service, business train tickets deals and more, contact us at businessdirect@swrailway.com.
When can I travel? Which are off peak times?
Travelling into London? You can travel on any train arriving at London Waterloo (or any station in zones 1 to 6) from 10:00.
If you're travelling away from London, Standard Class and First Class tickets have slightly different rules:
Standard Class: travel on any train leaving London Waterloo from 09:00
First Class: travel on any train leaving London Waterloo from 09:00, except trains leaving between 16:00 and 19:00. You also won't be able to travel on:
Trains leaving Vauxhall between 16:04 and 19:04
Trains leaving Clapham Junction between 16:07 and 19:09
You can sometimes travel earlier, particularly if you're travelling long-distance - these are called easements. For the best way to find out which trains you can use your ticket on, book through our website.
You can buy anytime from twelve weeks before you travel, right up to when you arrive at the station from the ticket office or machines. To help make sure customers don't get on the wrong train with a ticket that's not valid, some of our ticket machines won't sell Off-Peak tickets until shortly before they can be used.
Are there any extra discounts on Off-Peak tickets?
With our super off peak tickets you can save 34% extra with all railcards on Standard Class Off-Peak fares and up to 34% on First Class Off-Peak fares if you hold a Senior, HM Forces or Disabled Persons Railcard. You can also save on child tickets for all Off-Peak fares!
If you’re travelling in a group of 3 to 9 people, you can save a third on tickets with GroupSave discounts.
How can I buy an Off-Peak ticket?
The easiest way to buy your ticket is through our website, on our app or at any ticket office or machine.
Generally, yes. You'll normally be allowed to break your journey with an off-peak ticket. Some journeys may mean that you can't, and you should check the full restrictions on your ticket to see if you can or not.
Help! I need to travel on a different train - can I change my off peak ticket?
Off-Peak tickets give you some flexibility - if you can still use an Off-Peak ticket on the train you now want to travel on, you can just catch that one instead!
If you want to travel during peak time, you'll just need to pay the difference between the Off-Peak fare and the Anytime fare. There's no admin fee to pay but you will need to do this before you travel - even if you plan to do it on board the train, you might still be liable for a Penalty Fare if you board without making sure your ticket is valid.
Help! I need to travel on a different train - can I change my off peak 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 can use your ticket on the next Off-Peak service.
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.
If you're buying your tickets more than six weeks before you travel, we always recommend that you check timetables again at the six-week mark. This is because of changes to how the industry plans trains for engineering work.
