Off-peak and super off-peak are the two cheapest flexible fare types on UK trains. They cost less than an Anytime ticket but carry restrictions on which services you can board. The exact times vary by route and operator — there is no single national timetable for when off-peak begins.
What is an off-peak train ticket?
An off-peak ticket is valid on services that fall outside the busiest commuter hours. On most long-distance routes, this means trains that avoid arriving at a major London terminus before 9.30am on weekdays, or departing after 4pm on Friday afternoons. On weekends, off-peak restrictions are usually lifted entirely and you can travel on any service.
- Cheaper than an Anytime ticket but more expensive than an Advance fare
- No need to book a specific service — valid on any qualifying off-peak train on your route
- Restrictions vary: Southern and Thameslink have tighter peak windows than Avanti or LNER
- Single and return versions available — the return portion is usually valid for a month
If you board a peak service with an off-peak ticket, the conductor will charge you the difference to an Anytime fare. The restriction is enforced at the barrier on some routes and by staff checks on others.
What is a super off-peak train ticket?
Super off-peak is a fare type offered by some operators — most notably LNER on East Coast Main Line routes — for travel at the quietest times of day. It is cheaper than a standard off-peak fare but carries tighter restrictions, typically excluding the busiest late-morning and early-afternoon services as well as peak hours.
- Cheaper than off-peak, sometimes significantly so on long routes like London to Edinburgh
- Valid only on specifically listed services — check your ticket or the operator's website before travel
- Not available on all routes — LNER and some GWR services use this fare type; others do not
- A super off-peak return from London to Edinburgh can be less than half the Anytime fare
The term "super off-peak" is not standardised across all operators. Some railways use different names for equivalent fare types — always check the conditions printed on the ticket itself.
What counts as peak time?
Peak hours are defined by each train operator and can differ even between stations on the same route. As a general guide for long-distance journeys, the following times are usually considered peak and will require an Anytime or peak-specific ticket.
- Weekday mornings: services arriving at London terminals before approximately 9.30am
- Weekday evenings: services departing central London between approximately 4.30pm and 7pm
- Friday afternoons: a longer peak window often applies, sometimes from 3pm
- Bank holiday restrictions vary — some operators revert to a Saturday timetable, others apply special conditions
Commuter routes into cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds have their own peak definitions, which may differ from the long-distance rules. The safest approach is to check the specific operator's conditions before you travel.
How do I know which trains my off-peak ticket is valid on?
The easiest way to check is to use the operator's own journey planner and filter by the fare type you hold. Alternatively, enter your journey into the SaveMyFare journey planner to see which services are running on your route, then cross-reference with your ticket conditions.
Most e-tickets and booking confirmations include a link to the relevant National Rail conditions or the operator's fare guide. If your ticket says "Off-Peak" without specifying times, it is covered by the National Rail off-peak conditions for that route.
Can I buy an off-peak resale ticket?
Yes. Off-peak and super off-peak tickets are transferable under National Rail Conditions of Travel, provided they are unused. Travellers who have bought off-peak or super off-peak tickets and can no longer travel sometimes list them on SaveMyFare at below face value.
A resale off-peak ticket carries the same fare conditions as a new one — the same service restrictions apply. Browse available off-peak listings to see what is currently offered on your route.