From Sunday 7th December fares at eleven Southern Railway, seven Great Northern, and three Thameslink stations have been simplified in preparation for pay as you go with contactless commencing on Sunday 14th December. The simplification ensures each station within the expanded area has a single peak and off-peak fare to eligible destinations. These stations are:
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Southern
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Great Northern
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Thameslink
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Find out more information on pay as you go with contactless.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the rollout of pay as you go with contactless mean fares for tickets have changed?
Pay as you go with contactless fares are based on a single journey between two stations. To keep the price of tickets and pay as you go with contactless as similar as possible, Single tickets now cost around half the price of a Return ticket, whether you pay as you go or buy a ticket for your journey.
We’ve also aligned evening peak restrictions on tickets and pay as you go with contactless, for journeys where pay as you go with contactless is available. Evening peak times apply 16.00 to 19.00, Monday to Friday, if you are travelling from or via a London station.
Evening peak times do not apply to Day Travelcards.
Can I still buy a Return ticket?
Yes, you can still buy Return tickets.
On journeys where pay as you go with contactless is available, Single tickets now cost around half the price of a Return ticket, whether you pay as you go or buy a ticket for your journey.
It may be cheaper to buy two Single tickets or pay as you go with contactless rather than buying a Return ticket, on journeys where pay as you go with contactless is available.
For example, if you make a peak journey in one direction and an off-peak journey in the other, then an Anytime Day Single plus an Off-Peak Day Single will be cheaper than an Anytime Day Return.
When you pay as you go with contactless, you'll be charged the best adult fare for your journey on the day and time of your travel.
Can I still buy a Period Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak or Off-Peak carnet ticket?
To keep the price of tickets and pay as you go with contactless as similar as possible, these ticket types are no longer available on journeys where pay as you go with contactless is available. You will either be charged a peak or off-peak fare instead.
Off-peak fares have also been reduced to reflect the removal of Super Off-Peak tickets.
Is pay as you go with contactless the cheapest option for me?
It depends on how often you travel and if you are eligible for a discount on your train ticket.
When you use pay as you go with contactless, you’ll be charged the best adult fare for your journey on the day and time of your travel. For most people, this fare is the same as a ticket bought on the day. If you make multiple journeys into or within London, you could also benefit from daily and Monday to Sunday capping.
Pay as you go with contactless may not always be the cheapest way to pay for your journey. For example:
- If you have a Railcard or are eligible for other discounts (like a Child discount), it may be cheaper to buy a ticket for your journey. Currently discounts cannot be applied to pay as you go with contactless.
- If you make the same journey regularly, buying a Season ticket (Weekly, Monthly, Annual or Flexi) may be better value.
- In some cases, you may find a cheaper fare if you book your ticket in advance of your journey.