What are Super Off-peak and Off-Peak train tickets?
Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets are cheap tickets that can be used at any time on weekends and outside of peak times on weekdays. Here are some of the benefits:
- Cheaper, as you're travelling outside busy commuter hours
- Flexible, as you don't need to travel at your booked time
- Discounts: Travel for less with Railcard, GroupSave and kids for £2
- Super Off-Peak where available is cheaper than Off-Peak but has more restrictions
- Good for same-day bookings and cheaper than Anytime tickets. However, you could save more with an Advance ticket
Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train timing restrictions
Off-Peak tickets have different time restrictions based on the ticket type and route. This helps train companies manage crowding and also means you can get cheaper tickets for travelling at less busy times.
Weekdays
On weekdays, you won't be able to travel during the morning peak, and some routes have evening peak restrictions.
- Off-Peak starts around 08:30-09.30 AM for journeys to London, and around 08:45 for non-London journeys.
- From stations between Witham, Southend Victoria, Stansted Airport and London, Off-Peak starts at 09:30 in both directions. For journeys starting in the London Fare Zones, to stations in this area, Off-Peak is not available between 16:00 and 19:00.
- Super Off-Peak (where available) starts at or shortly before 12:00 (midday).
- Off-Peak ticket types have evening peak restrictions for journeys from London to Ipswich and beyond, except during school holidays.
Weekends and bank holidays
On weekends and bank holidays, there are no off-peak restrictions, so you can take any train with your Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak ticket.
Greater Anglia Off-Peak, Off-Peak Day and Super Off-Peak Day tickets (including First Class versions and Day/Family Travelcards) to and from London* are valid at the following times.
The new contactless area refers to all stations between Roydon and Stansted Airport, Ingatestone and Witham, and Billericay and Southend Victoria.
| Times | Arriving into London* | Departing from London* | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning (Monday - Friday) | Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day: Super Off-Peak Day: | Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day: Not leaving before 09.30. Super Off-Peak Day: | Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day: From London: Valid on the following services: 09:24 to Cambridge (to Elsenham and beyond). To London: Valid on the following services: 08:20 from Clacton-on-Sea and intermediate stations to Wivenhoe. |
| Evening (Monday - Friday) | No restrictions | Off-Peak: Off-Peak Day: Super Off-Peak Day (where available): | During school holidays and half-term weeks**, including the Christmas and New Year period, evening restrictions on Off-Peak tickets from London to Ipswich and beyond are lifted. **Norfolk school holiday dates are used. Off-Peak tickets are also valid at all times on the following service from Liverpool St: 18:30 to stations on the Felixstowe branch only. |
| Weekends and Bank Holidays | No restrictions | No restrictions | None |
*Please note that ‘London’ includes Liverpool Street, Stratford, Seven Sisters, Tottenham Hale and intermediate stations such as Hackney Downs. Unless specified, restrictions from stations other than Liverpool Street are determined by when the service arrives at or departs from Liverpool Street (or Stratford where trains start and finish there).
Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets for long-distance journeys via London have various restrictions depending on the journey being made. The time restrictions in the table may not apply. Please check our online booking engine or ask ticket office staff.
Tickets for journeys which do not involve London are restricted in the morning period only. Typically, Off-Peak Day Returns and Off-Peak Returns are valid after 08:45. For journeys wholly within London and Stansted Airport, Witham and Southend Victoria, Off-Peak starts at 09:30.
Super Off-Peak Day tickets for non-London journeys are valid at or after 12:00 (midday).
How to check Off-Peak and Super-Off Peak times for your journey
Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak times change depending on the route and ticket type, so we recommend checking your journey online or on our app.
- Purchased an eTicket? Open your eTicket, then go to the ticket details section (click the "i" button on the app), and finally click on the National Rail link at the top. You'll then be taken to a page which shows when you can travel.
- Got your ticket another way? Search for the same ticket type on our booking engine or app and click the see fare validity link. You'll be taken to a page which shows when you can travel.
Choose the best Off-Peak train ticket for your journey
| Ticket type | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Off-Peak tickets |
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| Super Off-Peak |
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| Off-Peak Travelcards |
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Terms and conditions
FAQ about Off-Peak train times and tickets
Off-Peak train times are when you can travel with an Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak train ticket. This is usually after the morning peak and on some routes, there are also evening restrictions. Super Off-Peak tickets have a smaller travel window but they're cheaper than Off-Peak tickets.
Off-Peak starts around 08:30 to 09:30 for journeys to London, and generally at 08:45 for journeys that don't involve London. For some Off-Peak ticket types and routes, there's an evening restriction, which is lifted during school holidays.
From stations between Witham, Southend Victoria, Stansted Airport and London, Off-Peak starts at 09.30 in both directions. For journeys starting in the London Fare Zones, to stations in this area, Off-Peak is not available between 16:00 and 19:00.
Off-Peak starts around 08:30 to 09:30 for journeys to London, and generally at 08:45 for journeys that don't involve London.
From stations between Witham, Southend Victoria, Stansted Airport and London, including intermediately, Off-Peak starts at 09:30 in both directions.
You can use an Off-Peak Day return anytime on weekends, however there are restrictions on weekdays.
In the morning, you can only travel on Greater Anglia trains that do not leave London before 09:30. If you're travelling to London, your train must not arrive before 10:00, unless you're travelling from between London, Stansted Aiport, Witham and Southend Victoria, your train cannot depart before 09:30.
In the evening, if you're travelling to stations between London, Stansted Aiport, Witham and Southend Victoria, you cannot depart London area stations between 16:00 and 19:00.
There are some earlier trains you can take including:
- 09:24 to Cambridge (to Elsenham and beyond).
- 09:02 to Ipswich (Stratford, 09:09) to stations on the Sudbury branch only.
- 09:18 to Clacton-on-Sea (Stratford, 09:25) to Wivenhoe and beyond, including to Walton-on-the-Naze.
- 08:20 from Clacton-on-Sea and intermediate stations to Wivenhoe.
- 08:01 from Walton-on-the-Naze, Frinton-on-Sea and Kirby Cross.
- 08:03 from Harwich Town and intermediate stations to Mistley.
On weekends, Off-Peak Day Travelcards can be used at 5pm as there are no time restrictions.
On weekdays, Off-Peak Day Travelcards can be used within London Zones 1-6 at 5pm on weekdays as there are no time restrictions.
However, there are evening restrictions on weekdays for journeys from London to Ipswich and beyond. This means they cannot be used for trains leaving London Liverpool Street for Ipswich and beyond between 16:31-18:34 (Stratford 16:36-18:41) except during school holiday periods.