We use cookies to track usage and preferences. You can view our cookies policy here.
Home » Expert tips » A guide to LNER ‘Simpler Fares’

A guide to LNER ‘Simpler Fares’

Fares to and from some LNER destinations are changing. Here's what you need to know.
    Published
Posted by

If you’re travelling between Scotland, the North East and London on LNER, then the range of fares that you can purchase has changed. LNER is introducing a new set of ‘Simpler Fares‘ which will take the place of Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets . Here’s our guide to this change, what it means for you and how you can ensure that you’re still purchasing the best-value ticket for your journey.

What are LNER ‘Simpler Fares’?

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares no longer exist on these route, being replaced by the 70min Flex ticket. You can use these tickets on the train you choose, as well as any LNER departure 70 minutes on either side.

The only fully flexible ticket that you’ll be able to buy is the Anytime fare, which is the most expensive option for a journey.

Advance tickets remain the same. They’re still only valid on the train that you choose.

Which routes are ‘Simpler Fares’ running on?

The LNER Simpler Fares trial applies to journeys between Edinburgh, Berwick, Newcastle and London King’s Cross.  This includes all intermediate stations in the North between Edinburgh and Newcastle (for journeys to/from London), in the South (for journeys between Kings Cross and Stevenage) and the following additional stations:

  • Heworth
  • Dunston
  • MetroCentre
  • Metro
  • Brunstane
  • Haymarket
  • Edinburgh Park
  • South Gyle
  • Edinburgh Gateway
  • Edinburgh Airport.

How do I use a ’70min Flex’ Ticket?

A ’70min Flex’ ticket is still an Advance ticket and you’ll still get a seat reservation for the train that you pick. When you buy one of these tickets, you’ll also be able to use any LNER train to your destination that departs 70 minutes before or after the train that you book. You must also arrive at your destination within three hours of your originally scheduled arrival.

So, what do you do if you want to take a different train? Well, nothing. There’s no need to rebook. If you want, you can book a new seat through the LNER app or by visiting a ticket office. However, it’s possible to jump on board and find any unreserved seat. On LNER, those seats are in the ‘south’ end of Coach C (seats 1 to 42).

As these tickets are Advance tickets, they aren’t normally refundable. If you book with Railsmartr, you’ll be able to change them to another date or time without any extra fees – only the difference.

What will these mean for the cost of train tickets?

This is a move towards what we call ‘demand-based pricing’. If a train is always busy, then it can be more expensive. If it’s quieter, then you might find a cheaper fare. Based on observed behaviour so far, it is indeed possible that you could pay more for your journey.

Under the old system, the Super Off-Peak fare was effectively a ‘cap’ on the cost of a ticket, even at the busiest times such as Sunday afternoons. Under the ‘Simpler Fares’, traditionally Off-Peak times that are busier are likely to become more expensive. As the only ‘cap’ now is the Anytime fare, this could represent a significant increase.

So, what if I want a cheaper fare?

In the meantime, you can buy Super Off-Peak tickets to and from alternative stations. There’s no obligation to use them for the whole journey, so you can start and finish your journey at the same station that you usually would.

You can check out our Split Ticket fares too, which offer you the cheapest combination of tickets for your journey. Just keep an eye out for ‘Split Single‘ when you search for a journey:

split ticketing on lner journey

All you need to do is select the Split tickets option and we’ll do the rest. You’ll get all of your tickets in one handy email or you can collect them from the ticket machine.

Is there anything else I should know?

We know that the world of train tickets can be confusing, especially when brand-new products are added. Don’t worry though, we’re always here to keep things simple at Railsmartr. With us, you’ll always be able to travel smarter. Why not take a look at our selection of Expert Tips to make your next journey that little bit better?

Of course, fares might be changing, but one thing will never change. When you book with us, there’ll never be any extra fees. Even if you just change your mind, you can always refund or change your ticket (depending on the ticket type) without any extra fees or charges. You’ll only ever pay the difference.