How to find cheap Advance train tickets

On this page, we'll tell you how to find the cheapest advance train tickets. Want to learn how to save even more money on train tickets? Check out our train ticket discounts for more ways to save.

What are Advance train tickets?

Advance train tickets are great value single tickets on certain Greater Anglia routes. They go on sale up to 12 weeks in advance and they're limited.

  • The earlier you book, the more likely you are to find a lower price.
  • Must travel at booked time
  • Typically available for longer journeys
  • Discounts: Railcards can be used for bigger savings
  • Great for commuters as available during peak times

Book Now

Greater Anglia red hare looking at a calendar to plan when they'll book their Advance ticket.

Is it worth buying train tickets in advance?

Benefits of Advance tickets

  • Tickets are priced as single leg fares so you can choose the lowest available price for each leg of your journey (out and back)
  • You book to travel at your specified time
  • It’s cost effective with fares starting at £12 single between London and Norwich, £8 single between London and Cambridge and £6 single between London and Southend (depending on availability and time of travel)
  • Railcard and Child discounts apply to all Advance fares (see Railcard Discounts below for details on which Railcards are valid)
  • You can check out our First Class Advance fares on our London to Norwich intercity route- they are often cheaper than you might expect

Check details and book early as Advance tickets are subject to limited availability and may not be available on every train.

Advance tickets are available up to 12 weeks before the departure date of the train; however in some cases where services are affected by engineering work, they may be released a few weeks later than this.

You must travel on your booked service or the ticket will not be valid.

Get a Railcard for Advance ticket discounts

You can get bigger savings on advance train tickets with any National Railcard, except for the Network Railcard.

Look out for same-day Advance train tickets

You can still save money even when booking last minute! On most Greater Anglia services where Advance tickets are available, you can now buy Advance tickets on the day of travel.

  • Costs less than the equivalent flexible Single ticket.
  • Travel must be on the specified train only.
  • Available to buy on our website and app.

Sign up for Alerts

Advance tickets usually go on sale up to 12 weeks in advance. If an Advance ticket is not on sale yet for your route, you should see a blue box while booking on our website that lets you set up a ticket alert, so you can come back later and bag a cheaper fare.

This only appears for one-way trips, so if you want to set up an alert for a return journey, you'll need to set up an alert for the outbound and return trips separately.

How to buy your Advance ticket

Buying online is the best way to get your ticket as you can get eTickets on your phone, email and you can also even print them out!

Save time queuing at the station by booking anywhere online, and never worry about your eTicket getting crumpled in your pocket. Plus, we also send out delay and cancellation emails and push notifications for Advance ticket bookings too!

Buy tickets nowDownload our app

Onward travel after your train journey

It’s possible to buy additional tickets for your onward travel. For travel around London, you can get a London Travelcard or use an Oyster Card/contactless payment.

With PlusBus you can add unlimited bus travel within your destination town. You can also buy a PlusBus ticket for the town where you are starting your journey. PlusBus is available in hundreds of towns and cities in the UK.

Advance Tickets terms and conditions

  • Must be purchased in advance.
  • Must travel on the booked train time
  • Advance tickets are limited, and are first come, first served.
  • Greater Anglia Advance Tickets usually go on sale weekly, up to 12 weeks in advance
  • Available for First Class and Standard
  • Discounts: All national railcards (except for Network Railcard) and Club 50 Railcard can be used to save on Advance tickets.
  • Non-refundable, unless you do not travel because your train is delayed or cancelled.
  • Tickets can be changed prior to travel, subject to a £10 fee and the difference in fare.

See full terms and conditions

Frequently asked questions about Advance train tickets

Advance train tickets usually go on sale every week, up to 12 weeks in advance, for Greater Anglia services.

Travel must be on the booked service. If your train was delayed or cancelled, we will try to accommodate you on a different train.

Yes, it is cheaper to book train tickets in advance compared to the equivalent flexible ticket. Advance tickets are typically available for longer distance routes.

Advance train tickets are great value single tickets which are only available on certain routes. They go on sale up to 12 weeks in advance and are limited, so the further ahead you book, the more likely you are to find a lower price.

Yes, Advance tickets are available on the day so you can still benefit from savings if you book last minute. These tickets are cheaper than the equilavent flexible ticket.

No, you must travel at your booked train time with an Advance ticket. If your train was delayed or cancelled, we will try to accommodate you on a different train.

Advance tickets can be changed but there is a £10 fee.

Advance tickets are non-refundable, unless if your train was cancelled or delayed.

Yes, many railcards include discounts on Advance train tickets, including:

Advance tickets are available on the following Greater Anglia routes:

  • London to Ipswich, Stowmarket, Diss and Norwich
  • London to branch lines in Norfolk and Suffolk, including the lines to Cromer and Sheringham, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe
  • London to Colchester, and stations to Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze
  • London to Audley End and stations to Cambridge
  • London to Prittlewell and Southend Victoria (less busy times of day only)
  • Many other intermediate journeys.

Advance tickets are also available on many through journeys to other parts of the country.

Refunds

Advance tickets are non-refundable, unless for reasons such as a train cancellation or severe disruption. If you bought a ticket online with us, please call our web support team on 0345 600 7245 (Select Option 3, open 08:00-17:00)

Please don't send us images of passports, credit or debit cards, driving licences and bank statements or information which is personal to you.

Advance Ticket Terms and Conditions