Rail fares freeze

Q: Can I get a refund or Delay Repay if my train is delayed?

Yes. If you are delayed while travelling on a participating National Rail service, you may be eligible for Delay Repay compensation . If your journey is affected by industrial action, you may also be eligible for a refund or alternative travel arrangements.

Q: Are First Class and Advance fares included in the freeze?

The fares freeze only applies to regulated Standard Class fares. This means: First Class tickets are not included Advance fares are not included These fares are set by operators and may increase or vary. However, Advance fares can still offer strong value, with many low-cost tickets released regularly.

Q: Can I still use Railcards, pay as you go, and concessions?

Yes. You can still continue to use pay as you go (where available across our network), plus all existing discounts and concessions continue as normal. Children under 5 continue to travel free on most journeys – remember to check specific operator conditions where needed.

Q: Does the fares freeze apply to all journeys with Thameslink?

Yes. The freeze applies to regulated fares within England, which includes many everyday journeys across the Thameslink network. However, some ticket types and cross-boundary journeys may not be covered depending on fare regulation rules. If you’re unsure, please use the journey planner for confirmation.

What it means for your journey

Rail fares across England have been frozen for the first time in around 30 years, helping to keep everyday travel more affordable. The measure is expected to save passengers around £600 million this year and support customers with the rising cost of living.

The fares freeze applies to regulated rail fares, which are set by government rather than train operators. These fares will remain frozen across England until March 2027.

Many of the most used everyday ticket types are included in the fares freeze, helping keep commuting and leisure travel more predictable and affordable for Thameslink customers.

Which fares are included in the freeze?

The fares freeze applies to regulated Standard Class fares, including:

Standard Class Season tickets
Anytime tickets
Off-Peak tickets
Child fares

These tickets cover much of the regular commuter and day-to-day travel across the network.

Which fares are not included?

Some fares are outside the regulated system and are not covered by the freeze. These include:

First Class tickets
Advance fares (subject to availability – prices may vary)
Other unregulated or operator-set products

These fares may still change in price depending on demand and operator pricing decisions.

Things to remember

Ticketing innovations (such as pay as you go expansion or time restriction changes) may still affect ticket options or conditions.
Railcards, discounts, and concessions continue to apply as normal.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a refund or Delay Repay if my train is delayed?

Are First Class and Advance fares included in the freeze?

Can I still use Railcards, pay as you go, and concessions?

Does the fares freeze apply to all journeys with Thameslink?