Anytime Train Tickets
Flexible fares with no restrictions on when you can travel
We know that you can’t always plan your travel in advance, and sometimes you need a little flexibility. For flexible travel, CrossCountry Anytime train tickets might be the answer for you. For our more spontaneous passengers, we know it is important to offer option of an Anytime train ticket. This ticket type is ideal for customers who are not sure how long they will be travelling, or for passengers who like to go where their heart takes them.
Benefits of Anytime Tickets
The biggest benefit of travelling with an Anytime ticket is that passengers may travel at any time of day, with no restrictions. These tickets give passengers the option to travel at any time of day, allowing you to travel at a time that suits you best. Like other ticket options at CrossCountry, you can apply discounts to Anytime tickets by adding your railcard, to make further savings on your journey.
How to Book CrossCountry Anytime Tickets
Booking any ticket with CrossCountry is simple, and Anytime train tickets are no different. The easiest way is either visiting our site and clicking Buy Tickets on any page or using the CrossCountry Trains app. There are three different types of Anytime train tickets, so it is important to first understand the differences between them to know which one is the one you need. Let’s explore the different kinds of Anytime ticket available with CrossCountry.
Anytime Single Tickets
Although you don’t have to book Anytime tickets in advance, we always advises passengers to book in advance for the best possible savings, and to avoid disappointment if travelling at busy times. Anytime single tickets also offer passengers the option to break up their journey with stops at stations along the route, perfect for those longer journeys like Bournemouth to Birmingham. This is just another example of the flexibility afforded to customers with an Anytime train ticket.
| Ticket properties | Anytime Single | Anytime First Single | Anytime First Day Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outward Journey | Any train on date shown on ticket | Any train on date shown on ticket | Any train on date shown on ticket |
| Journey Breaks | Yes | No, except for changing trains | No, except for changing trains |
| Routes | Any route shown on the ticket | Any route shown on the ticket | Any route shown on the ticket |
| Availability | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Booking Deadline | Day of travel | Day of travel | Day of travel |
| Seat Reservations | Advisable | Advisable | Advisable |
| Railcard Discounts | Yes | Only Senior, Disabled Persons, and HM Forces Railcards | Only Senior, Disabled Persons, and HM Forces Railcards |
| Amending Tickets | Yes, free of charge within the validity of the ticket | Yes, free of charge within the validity of the ticket | Yes, free of charge within the validity of the ticket |
| Refund Availability | Yes, less the administration fee | Yes, less the administration fee | Yes, less the administration fee |
| Where to Buy | Any outlet | Any outlet | Any outlet |
Anytime Day Return
With an Anytime Day Return ticket, passengers may return on any train on the date that is shown on the ticket. The return journey also must be on the same day as the outward journey. This option is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their plans flexible, but knows they need to return on the same day.
| Ticket properties | Anytime Day Return | Anytime First Day Return |
|---|---|---|
| Outward Journey | Any train on date shown on ticket | Any train on date shown on ticket |
| Journey Breaks | Yes, on the outward and/or return journey | No, except for changing trains |
| Routes | Any route shown on the ticket | Any route shown on the ticket |
| Availability | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Booking Deadline | Day of travel | Day of travel |
| Seat Reservations | Advisable | Advisable |
| Railcard Discounts | Yes | Only Senior, Disabled Persons, and HM Forces Railcard discounts apply |
| Amending Tickets | Yes, free of charge within the validity of the ticket | Yes, free of charge within the validity of the ticket |
| Refund Availability | Yes, less the administration fee | Yes, less the administration fee |
| Where to Buy | Any outlet | Any outlet |
Anytime Return Tickets
The most flexible option regarding Anytime tickets is the Anytime Return ticket. With this ticket, customers are allowed to return within one calendar month of their outward journey. This provides a unique level of flexibility and gives customers peace of mind knowing they can return on the same route at any time within that month.
| Ticket properties | Anytime Return | Anytime First Return |
|---|---|---|
| Outward Journey | Any train within five days including the date shown on the ticket | Any train within five days including the date shown on the ticket |
| Journey breaks | Yes, outward and/or return | Yes, outward and/or return |
| Routes | Any route shown on the ticket | Any route shown on the ticket |
| Availability | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Booking Deadline | Day of travel | Day of travel |
| Seat Reservations | Advisable | Advisable |
| Railcard Discounts | Yes | Only Senior, Disabled Persons, and HM Forces Railcard discounts apply |
| Amending Tickets | Yes, free of charge within the validity of the ticket | Yes, free of charge within the validity of the ticket |
| Refund Availability | Yes, less the administration fee | Yes, less the administration fee |
| Where to Buy | Any outlet | Any outlet |
How much us an Anytime Train Ticket?
An Anytime train ticket can vary in price dependent on the route that is taken. To make sure you are saving more on your Anytime train ticket, it is advisable to book in advance and apply your railcard when buying the ticket.
When can I use my Anytime Train Ticket?
Customers are free to use their Anytime train ticket during the date shown on the ticket, at any time of the day.
If you have purchased a flexible ticket (including Anytime Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets), you may be able to add or change seat reservations ahead of your journey.
To add or change a seat reservation, sign into My Account online or on the CrossCountry app and then select View Your Bookings. Select the relevant booking and click Amend Journey to add or change your seat.
Please note that you will not be able to amend seat reservations online if you have purchased travel supplements such as PlusBus, First Class upgrades, and London Travelcards. In this case, please contact us for further assistance.
Changes to bookings may be liable to an administration fee.
There are a number of Railcards that are exclusive to particular areas of the UK.
Railcard
Region or Area
Cambrian Lines Railcard
The Cambrian Lines Railcard discount is available on the following routes: Pwllheli - Aberystwyth - Machynlleth - Newtown - Shrewsbury (including from / to all intermediate stations).
Cotswold Line Railcard
The Cotswold Line Railcard discount is available on the following routes: Off-Peak Single and Return tickets & Anytime Day tickets on the route between Worcester Foregate Street & Oxford inclusive.
Dales Railcard
The Dales Railcard discount is available on the following routes: Leeds/Bradford Forster Sq. - Carlisle via Settle. Leeds/Bradford Forster Sq. - Lancaster/Morcambe/Heysham Port via Bentham. Whalley (Lancs)/Clitheroe - Hellifield (Sundays only).
Devon and Cornwall Railcard
The Devon and Cornwall Railcard discount is available on the following routes: Standard Class Anytime and Off-Peak tickets for journeys wholly within Devon and Cornwall, starting after 08:45. Esk Valley Railcard The Esk Valley Railcard discount is available on the following routes: All journeys between Whitby and Middlesbrough. Heart of Wales Railcard The Heart of Wales Railcard discount is available on the following routes: All journeys between and including Swansea/Llanelli and Llandrindod Wells. Highland Railcard The Highland Railcard discount is available on the following routes: Mallaig/Fort William/Oban - Glasgow Wick/Thurso - Inverness Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness Pembrokeshire Railcard The Pembrokeshire Railcard discount is available on the following routes: All journeys within Pembrokeshire, extending to Swansea via Carmarthen. Scottish Youth Railcard The Scottish Youth Railcard entitles the following discounts when travelling in Scotland: 34% off most rail fares. 50% off all season tickets. 34% off most advance purchases. No minimum fare on 'off peak' fares. Valleys Senior Railcard The Valleys Senior Railcard discount is available on the following routes: Standard Day Return tickets on the Valley Lines after 09:29. Valleys Student Railcard The Valleys Student Railcard discount is available on the following routes: Valleys & Cardiff local routes.
Depending on your ticket type, you may be able to take a break in your journey. More flexible tickets, like Anytime tickets, will allow for a break, whereas tickets for specific services may not.
You can find the terms and conditions of each ticket type when making your booking.