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Advance tickets

Adventures start by train. Get great deals by booking Advance tickets from just £7 one way and pay no booking fees!

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Get there by train. Get there with Southern.

Are you planning on taking a trip soon? Why not get a head start by arranging your journey now? When you book your trains in advance, you can enjoy savings on your rail fare and get your travels organised early on. 

What are Advance rail tickets?

Advance train tickets give you the chance to book your trip for cheaper prices than if you were to buy on the day. Advance tickets are available up to 12 weeks before your travel date and can be used on some commuter journeys. They can be purchased up to the day before travel but it’s first-come, first served.

Advance tickets are for one-way, single journeys, so if you need to return, you’ll need to buy two single Advance tickets.

New Peak Advance tickets

Anyone travelling at peak times on Monday or Friday (morning and evening) can save up to 15% compared to the price of a standard peak fare Anytime Day Return ticket.

Southern peak Advance tickets are available for journeys in both directions between East Croydon, Clapham Junction and London Victoria, and stations south from Three Bridges, as far east as Eastbourne and as far west as Chichester.

How much do they cost?

Advance tickets are available across the country at different prices, however journeys on the Southern network start from £7.

If you want to upgrade, you can select one of our First Class Advance tickets which start from £19.90.

The earlier you book, the more likely it is that you'll snap up a £7 ticket. There will be reduced availability on some routes 4 weeks before travel, however Advance tickets can be available up to 6pm the night before you travel so it is always worth checking.

Here are some of the benefits of booking early on:

  • No last-minute dash to the ticket office to arrange travel
  • Cheaper fares
  • 1/3 off the ticket price if you have a 16-25, Senior, HM Forces, Family & Friends, Two Together or Disabled Persons Railcard
  • Using single tickets gives you the chance to mix and match tickets. For example, you could travel standard class on the way out and First Class on the way back

When can I use Advance rail tickets?

You can only travel on the date and train shown on your train ticket and reservation coupon issued to you when you book. As this is a set booking, you won’t be able to get another train or break your journey. So, if you get off the train at a station on the route and get on another train to complete your journey, your Advance ticket will no longer be valid, and you’ll need to buy a new one.

When you book ahead, remember that advance return fares aren’t available, so you’ll need to book two singles. Use our journey planner to find the best times and fares.

How do I book Advance train tickets?

You can book trains in advance quickly and easily:

  • Online – To book your ticket online, visit our booking engine, enter in your destination, then ‘find trains’ to view results. You can have your tickets posted out or collect them from the station
  • Ticket offices at the station

When you input your travel details into the booking engine, you'll see a range of fare options, including Advance fares if they are offered for your journey. To increase your chances of obtaining an Advance ticket, consider choosing off-peak travel times.

Brighton to London Victoria

Advance Single

Buy tickets from £7 - Brighton to London Victoria

London Victoria to Eastbourne

Advance Single

Buy tickets from £7 - London Victoria to Eastbourne

London Victoria to Hastings

Advance single

Buy tickets from £7 - London Victoria to Hastings

Save with Advance tickets

Advance tickets are available up to 12 weeks before your travel date.