Advance tickets are single (one-way) tickets for selected journeys available in First Class and Standard Class, offering the best available price for each journey.
Availability
Southern/Thameslink Airport Advance tickets can be sold at Ticket Offices and Travel Centres, self-service ticket machines at stations, rail-appointed travel agents, online at most train company websites or through other online retailers or train company telesales offices.
Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel and are subject to availability.
They are not available for purchase on the day of travel.
These tickets will be available for travel on dates from Sunday 13th December 2026.
Discounts
Discounts are available with the following Railcards: 16-17 Saver, 16-25, 26-30, Family & Friends, Senior, HM Forces, Veterans, Disabled Persons and Two Together Railcards.
Break of Journey
Outbound:Customers may not start, break and resume or end their journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.
Inbound:
Not applicable.
Advance are single tickets only.
Change of Journey
Special arrangements apply for Airport Advance tickets when a passenger's flight has been delayed by up to 2 hours. See "Special Conditions" for more information.
Changes to time or date of travel must be arranged before departure of the first reserved train printed on the ticket, after which the ticket has no value and a new must be purchased. Customers will need to present the ticket(s) and reservation(s) when they request a change.
Changes to tickets cannot be made on board the train. If customers board a train without a reservation for that service, a new ticket(s) must be purchased.
The origin, destination and Train company or route shown on the original tickets must be the same as the new tickets required.
The difference between the price paid and the cost of the next of the next suitable fare for the journey is payable, plus a £10 administration fee per person, per single ticket for each change to a journey. If the customer(s) change to a train where a cheaper fare is available, the difference will not be refunded, but the administration charge is still applicable.
Refunds
Advance Tickets are non-refundable, unless Section 30.1 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel applies.
Validity and reservation requirements
Reservations are required by this ticket type on both the outward and (where applicable) return journeys.
- Outward validity summary
- AS ADVERTISED
- Return validity summary
- INVALID