You don’t need to contact us if you decide to take a different train — but you must check whether your ticket type allows it.
Your ticket conditions determine whether you can travel on another service or if you need to change your ticket.
🎟️ Advance tickets
Advance tickets are only valid for the specific train you booked.
If you want to take a different service, you must change your ticket before you travel.
You can follow the steps in our Change your ticket FAQ.
⏱️ Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak tickets
Single tickets:
Must be used on the same date shown on your ticket
You can travel on any Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak train valid for your route that day
Return tickets:
Your outbound journey must be taken on the booked date
You can use any Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak service valid for your route
Your return journey can be taken within one calendar month, again on any valid Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak train
🪑 Seat reservations (Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak)
If you travel on a different train, your seat reservation won’t transfer, and on some services reservations are mandatory.
To request a seat reservation:
If you have a Trainline account:
Go to My Bookings (website) or My Tickets (app)
Select Change date/time
If you don’t have an account:
Create one using the link in your confirmation email
Then follow the steps above
🕒 Anytime tickets
Anytime Single:
Valid on any train on the date printed on the ticket
Anytime Return:
Outbound: travel at any time, up to 5 days after the date on your ticket
Return: travel within one calendar month, on any train valid for your route
🪑 Seat reservations (Anytime)
Travelling on a different train means your original seat reservation won’t apply.
To reserve a seat:
If you have an account:
My Bookings or My Tickets → Change date/time
If you don’t have an account:
Create one using the link in your confirmation email
Then follow the steps above
You can also read more about Off-Peak times in our dedicated article.