Northern Railway

Northern Railway provides train services and sells tickets for individual journeys, travel together and regular trips between named stations.

More Info

Quick overview

Its website and app also provide journey planning and travel information.

Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Duo tickets are available.
Season tickets include Flexi, Barcode and education options.
The Northern Explorer ticket permits hop-on, hop-off travel on Northern trains.
The app supports ticket buying, journey planning and real-time information.
Assisted Travel and accessible-format documents are available.

Introduction

Northern Railway provides train services and sells a range of rail tickets. Its website and app also offer journey planning and travel information.

Ticket types include Advance, Duo, season, education and Explorer tickets. There are also options for group travel, along with Railcards and information about assisted travel.

What Northern Railway offers

The ticket range covers single journeys, travel between named stations and options for travelling with others. Northern Railway also provides timetables, service updates and an app for planning journeys and buying tickets.

Product and service categories

Advance tickets

Advance tickets are single, one-way tickets offered in limited numbers on selected routes. Northern-only Advance tickets are available in Standard Class and are valid on the date and train services shown on the ticket. The route on the ticket may also permit connecting trains where these are shown on the ticket or travel itinerary.

Anytime and Off-Peak tickets

The range includes Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets may have restrictions on the time of day, day of the week or route. Off-Peak options include single and return tickets.

Duo tickets

A Duo ticket is a return ticket for two adults travelling together between two stations. Both adults must travel together and return on the same day. Duo tickets are available on certain routes, and Off-Peak restrictions apply.

Explorer, Ranger and Rover tickets

The Northern Explorer ticket allows hop-on, hop-off travel on Northern trains. It can be used at any time, including weekdays, weekends, peak and off-peak periods, but is not valid on other operators’ trains. The range also includes Ranger and Rover tickets, described as options for hopping on and off.

Flexi Season tickets

A Flexi Season ticket provides eight days of travel within a 28-day period. On each chosen day, it allows unlimited travel between two named stations at peak or off-peak times. It is available as a digital barcode ticket or on a Smartcard.

Barcode Season tickets

Barcode Season tickets are digital tickets held in the Northern app. Weekly, monthly and annual options are available, with unlimited travel between two stations. The ticket appears as a barcode to scan at the ticket gate.

School Education Season tickets

Education Season tickets include annual and term-time options for ages 11 to 15. Term-time tickets are available at certain times of year and the applicable term dates can change. Annual tickets are also available for school years 11 to 13, with tickets for those who have turned 16 restricted to travel to and from their place of education.

University and higher education tickets

The University and Higher Education Season Ticket is an annual ticket for eligible full-time students over 16 at a recognised institution. It covers 365 consecutive days from the selected start date and permits travel between the named stations on permitted services, subject to route restrictions. Applications are made online and require proof of student status and a photo for a Railway Photocard.

Employee Season tickets

The Employee Season Ticket Scheme is open to employers, who can sign up using a form. Employees can choose tickets that provide unlimited travel between two chosen stations. Northern Railway also offers an online portal for business travel bookings.

Group travel and Railcards

Northern Railway lists group travel tickets and family tickets among its options. Its range also includes student train tickets and Railcards. Some Advance tickets can be used with Railcards, subject to the relevant terms.

Browse the full range on the Northern Railway website.

More Info

Using the website

The website has a journey planner, search, timetables and a network map. It also provides live train times and updates about service disruptions and planned engineering works.

The Northern app lets travellers plan journeys, buy tickets and view real-time information. The site also has video guides on buying tickets in the app, using ticket barriers and using scan-and-go commuter tickets.

For days out, there are guides covering family activities, group outings, walks and trips with dogs. The Northern Explorer information also includes suggested itineraries.

Notable features

The Assisted Travel team can help travellers plan and book ahead. The accessibility hub provides guidance about preparing for travel, stations and journeys, and documents are available in accessible formats on request.

Information is also available on travelling with children, mobility scooters and bicycles. Northern Railway lists Wi-Fi and power sockets on its trains.

Frequently asked questions

Can I break my journey with an Advance ticket?

Advance ticket holders cannot start, break and resume, or end their journey at an intermediate station, except when changing to or from connecting trains shown on the ticket. The ticket is valid for the service shown on it.

Can a Flexi Season ticket be used with other operators?

It can generally be used with other operators unless the ticket is restricted to a particular operator or route. Flexi Season tickets are not valid on Merseyrail services.

How is a Flexi Season ticket activated?

A barcode Flexi Season ticket must be activated in the app before travel. For a Smartcard ticket, travellers tap the card at the gate to activate the day’s travel.

Is a photo needed for a Barcode Season ticket?

When buying a first Barcode Season ticket, travellers are asked to upload a passport-style photo in the app. The ticket is then held digitally in the app.

Does a Barcode Season ticket need an internet connection?

An internet connection is needed to download the ticket before the first journey of the day. Once it is saved in the app, an internet connection is not needed to use it.

What identification is needed with an Education Season ticket?

A valid rail network photocard must accompany the ticket. Children need to carry the photocard even if they use a Smartcard.

What identification must university ticket holders carry?

Travellers using a University and Higher Education Season Ticket must carry their valid Railway Photocard and university student ID. Both may be requested during ticket inspection.

Key takeaways

Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Duo tickets are among the ticket types available.
Flexi, Barcode and education season tickets have different periods and conditions of use.
The Northern Explorer ticket is valid on Northern trains, not other operators’ services.
The website and app provide journey planning and travel information.
Assisted Travel and accessible-format documents are available.

Summary

Northern Railway combines train tickets with journey planning, service information and accessibility support. Its range includes tickets for individual journeys, travel together and regular journeys between named stations, with conditions varying by ticket type.