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Flexi Season Ticket

Commute your way, with the new Flexi Season ticket on Smartcard

Working from home on Wednesday but have a face-to-face on the Friday? The new national Flexi Season Ticket on Smartcard gives you 8 passes over 28 days between 2 destinations – so you can make unlimited anytime journeys for the day, between the stations you choose. It’s just one of the many tickets we have to help you commute your way. Buy your Flexi Season Tickets online or at any of our ticket offices, load it onto your Key Smartcard , and travel when it suits you.

What is Flexi Season?

A flexible Season Ticket

Pay only for the days you travel

Great way to beat the queues

Buy it online and load onto your Key Smartcard

Take the train anytime

Travel during Peak times any days you choose

How does it work?

Get a Key Smartcard on our website or at one of our stations

Buy a Flexi Season online or at a ticket office, and load it onto your Smartcard

Activate by tapping in at the gate or on the Southern App on your phone

Is it right for me?

Are you planning to commute only some days of the week? The Flexi Season Ticket gives you 8 passes to use over 28 days between 2 destinations, and might be a great option for you. Try our Season Ticket Calculator to compare season ticket types. Flexi Season Ticket is one of a range of ticket types we offer to suit your needs.

What's a Key Smartcard?

The Key Smartcard offers an easier and faster way to buy, renew and use train tickets, compared to paper tickets. You can even load your tickets to your Smartcard with our app. Find out more and order your Key Smartcard for free here .

Do you use keyGo?

If you’re planning to use Flexi Season on the same journey as keyGo, you'll need to get a second Key Smartcard. We know this isn’t ideal, but it’s the best way to ensure that you’re charged the correct fare. Find out more here .

More information

Find out more about the Key Smartcard here . Terms and conditions for Flexi Season Tickets can be found here .

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Flexi Season Tickets

Commute, your way, with the flexi season ticket on smartcard.

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Commute, your way, with the new Flexi Season ticket on Smartcard

Fewer days in the office? Flexi Season may be just the ticket. 

Choose WFH Wednesdays or face-to-face Fridays. Flexi Season tickets have arrived. 

Exclusive to Smartcard

Flexi Season tickets are exclusive to Smartcard. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a flexi season ticket.

Get 8 days of travel in 28 days - any time between two stations. Flexi Season tickets are a flexible solution that’s perfect if you need to travel to work a couple of times a week at peak time Monday to Friday. The 8 days of travel doesn’t need to be specified in advance, giving part-time commuters more flexibility to travel when they want and need. Flexi Season tickets allow commuters to make eight return journeys over a 28-day window, while saving at least 20% on the cost of an equivalent monthly season ticket, when travelling two days a week at peak times.

Is a Flexi Season ticket the same as a Season ticket?

A Flexi Season ticket is a new, more flexible, kind of season ticket that allows 8 days of travel in 28 days with unlimited travel, from the time you activate your day pass until 04:29 the next morning, between two stations each day that it is used. It’s great for commuters travelling during peak times 2-3 days a week, Monday to Friday, as it offers an alternative to a traditional season ticket.

How much can I save with a Flexi Season ticket?

You can find out the cost of a Flexi season ticket and which ticket is right for your journey here .

Can I buy more than one Flexi Season ticket?

No, but Flexi Season tickets can be used for travel during peak and off-peak periods. Flexi tickets are aimed at commuters making the same journey 2 –3 times a week during peak times.

Can I buy a first-class Flexi Season ticket?

No. Flexi Season tickets are only available in Standard Class.

Can I buy a child Flexi Season ticket?

No. Flexi Season tickets are only available for adults.

How do I use my Flexi Season ticket?

At the start of your journey, just place your Smartcard on a smartcard reader. This will load any new purchases and activate one of your day passes and allow you to travel. Our onboard team can check your ticket by scanning your smartcard. It is important that you touch in at the start of your journey and out at the end where facilities exist, to validate your journey. You can also activate your Flexi Season day pass using the National Rail Smartcard app (more info available soon). Flexi Season tickets can be used on any services that run on your route, even if they aren’t Avanti West Coast, unless otherwise specified. If your Flexi Season ticket is valid for a specific operator only, this will be stated at time of purchase. Make sure you keep your payment cards and smartcards separate when touching in or out to avoid touching more than one card on a reader at the same time.

Can a Flexi Season ticket be used on multiple operators?

In most cases you can use any operator between your start and end stations. If your Flexi Season ticket is valid for a specific operator only, this will be stated at time of purchase. If your Flexi Season ticket is only valid on one operator but you wish to travel with a different one then you will need to buy a new ticket for your journey. If your Flexi Season ticket is restricted to a particular route, you will need to buy a new ticket for your journey. To change a route for one single or return journey (except where a route specifies a particular train operator), Flexi Season ticket holders can do so by paying the difference between the appropriate day tickets for each route, for each journey being made.

Can you use a Flexi Season ticket on London Underground or overground services?

No. Journeys within the London Zonal Fare Area are not available on a Flexi Season ticket. You can use Pay as you go on Oyster or Contactless for onward connections on Transport for London services.

What happens if I don’t make all eight journeys in 28 days?

If you don’t make all of your journeys within 28 days, your passes will no longer be valid to use. You can request a refund for the remaining passes before the expiry date from the retailer you purchased your ticket from. The refund will be calculated from the difference between the price you paid for the Flexi Season and the cost of an Anytime return ticket for each day you have used. An administration fee of no more than £10 will apply. 

Can I still travel if I lose or forget my smartcard with my Flexi Season ticket?

If you lose or forget your smartcard or Flexi Season ticket you will need to purchase a new ticket to make your journey. Ensure you’ve contacted us to block a lost smartcard to prevent misuse.

Pricing and Refunds

How much is a Flexi Season ticket compared to a Season ticket? A Flexi Season ticket is a form of Season Ticket and comparing a Flexi Season ticket with the equivalent Monthly Season ticket, the minimum discount is 20%. You can find which ticket option is best for you here .

Can you get a refund on a Flexi Season ticket? A refund is calculated from the difference between the price you paid for the Flexi Season and the cost of an Anytime return ticket for each day you have used, minus an administration fee of no more than £10. If you only have one or two journeys left on your Flexi Season you may find that no refund is available.

If I buy a Flexi Season ticket and only take a couple of journeys can I get the remaining journeys refunded? You must apply for a refund from your retailer before the end of the 28-validity period. The refund will be calculated based on the price of an Anytime return ticket for the journey your Flexi Season is valid for, the number of travel days used within the ticket's validity minus the administration fee.

Can you get Delay Repay on a Flexi Season ticket? Customers can apply to see if they’re eligible for Delay Repay in times of disruption. If a customer activates a day's worth of travel and chooses not to travel at the last minute in the event of train delays, they should apply for a refund. You can find information on refunds  here .

I bought a Flexi Season but am going to have to go to the office more than I realised, can I exchange my Flexi Season for a Season Ticket? You can’t exchange a Flexi Season so, if you’ve already been using your Flexi ticket, our recommendation would be to use up your eight journeys and purchase a Season Ticket once you’ve used all your journeys. Alternatively, you can request a refund less the admin fee and purchase a Season ticket.

Can you get a discount on a Flexi Season ticket using a Railcard? 16-17 Saver and Job Centre Plus Travel Discount Card holders are able to get 50% off their Flexi Season ticket but no other Railcard or group discounts apply.

Can I use my Disabled Persons Railcard for discount on a Flexi Season? Railcards cannot be used to get discounts on Season or Flexi Season tickets as they are already heavily discounted tickets.

I was sick so didn’t use my Flexi Season this month, can I get a refund? If you were sick and couldn’t use your Flexi Season ticket you must apply for a refund before the end of the 28-Day validity period. There must be a minimum of one unused journey left to refund and a £10 admin fee will apply. If you can provide evidence that you were not able to apply for a refund because of illness (such as a doctor’s note), we will still consider your refund application after the expiry date.

Season Tickets (including Flexi Season Tickets) are available for most short and medium distance journeys on the National Rail network. Season Tickets are not generally available for long distance journeys but may be available where a train company chooses to offer them.

National Rail Conditions of Travel

All tickets and travel are subject to the National Rail Conditions of Travel. A copy of the 'National Rail Conditions of Travel' is available from staffed ticket offices or in a PDF to download at www.nationalrail.co.uk/nrcot

• 1. Using your Season Ticket and requirement to activate your Flexi Season Ticket
• 1.1. You can use your Season Ticket up to, and including, 04:29 in the morning following its expiry date for any number of journeys between the stations and/or within the zone(s) shown on it at any time of day. It may be used at intermediate stations, as long as the Ticket you hold is valid for the route you wish to use. Details are available where these tickets are sold.
• 1.2. With First Class Season Tickets you may travel in the First Class or Standard Class areas of the train.
• 1.3. Standard Class Season Ticket holders may upgrade their Season Ticket to First Class at the ticket office before they board the train (or on the train if there is no open ticket office where you board the train).
• 1.4. Travelcard Season Tickets allow unlimited travel at any time of day on National Rail, London Underground, DLR and London Trams within the London Fare Zones Area which you have purchased. Travelcard Season Tickets are also valid on most London Bus services throughout the London Bus network. For journeys starting outside the London Fare Zones Area, the Travelcard Season Ticket allows travel by train between the starting station and the London Fares Zones Area boundary, and then unlimited travel within the zones paid for.
• 1.5. You cannot transfer your Season Ticket to another person.

Additional conditions specific to Flexi Season Tickets

• 1.6. Flexi Season tickets are valid for a 28-Day period and entitle you to 8 days of travelling between the stations specified, within that 28-Day period.
• 1.7. You must activate a day’s worth of travel in your Flexi Season before you board a train service. If you board a train without activating a day’s worth of travel, you will be treated as not having a valid ticket, unless
• 1.7.1. you are specifically permitted to board a train service with an un-activated Flexi Season by an authorised member of staff or notice of the Train Company whose service you intend to board.
• 1.8. Once activated, your Flexi Season is valid for any number of journeys between the origin and destination stations, including intermediate stations, as long as the Flexi Season you hold is valid for the route you wish to use. It remains valid until 04:29 the day after it is activated.
• 1.9. Once activated, you cannot deactivate or refund a day’s travel if you decide not to travel.

I NFORMATION: Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, you can use your Season Ticket in conjunction with another ticket. For example, if you hold an Annual Season Ticket between Southampton and London Terminals and want to travel to/from Salisbury, your Season Ticket covers your journey between London and Basingstoke, so you will only need a ticket between Basingstoke and Salisbury. If you are travelling to a destination not partially covered by your Season Ticket you will need a ticket to cover your full journey.

2. Photocards

• 2.1. You will need to be able to produce a photocard to buy most Season Tickets. These are issued free of charge from staffed ticket offices and you must provide a recent passport-type photograph of yourself. Season Tickets held on a smartcard or other media may not require a Photocard. This will be made clear when you purchase your Season Ticket.
• 2.2. Where required, your photocard number must be on your Season Ticket. For your Season Ticket to be valid, you must show both your Season Ticket and photocard with matching numbers if requested by any rail staff.
• 2.3. All children aged between 5 and 15 (inclusive) require a photocard. Proof of age will be required when the Season Ticket is issued.
• 2.4. A photocard for a child aged under 14 is valid for 2 calendar years from the date of issue. So, for example, a card issued on 22 January 2021, expires on 21 January 2023.
• 2.5. If the child reaches 16 within 2 ½ years of the photocard being issued, the photocard will be dated to expire on the day before their 16th birthday.

3. 'Changeovers'

• 3.1. If you move house, change your place of work or wish to change the class of travel, you may apply to exchange any Season Ticket for one month or longer with at least 7 days remaining, for one with the same expiry date for your new journey or class. This is called a changeover. We do not issue changeovers for 7 Day Season or Flexi Season Tickets.
• 3.2. A changeover may be applied for at the rail ticket office or retailer where the original ticket was issued or at any station relevant to the new journey. The new journey Season Ticket is a continuous renewal and it must start on the day following surrender of the original ticket. Any additional charge or refund will be based on the ticket prices when the original Season Ticket was bought, pro rata to the periods before and after the changeover.
• 3.3. No administration charge is made. Any ticket that has already been exchanged in this way may be accepted for further exchanges if necessary.
• 4.1. If you no longer need your Season Ticket, you can apply for a refund from the retailer you bought it from. You will need to return the Season Ticket to the retailer, except where the retailer can remotely cancel the Season Ticket.
• 4.2. Any refund is calculated from the date the Season Ticket is returned to the retailer or the date the retailer has cancelled the Season Ticket for further use, and will be the difference between the price you paid and the cost of a ticket or tickets for the period for which you have actually used the ticket up to the date the Season Ticket has been returned or disabled (for Flexi Season Ticket refund calculation – see 4.5).
• 4.3. There will be an administration charge of no more than £10.00.
• 4.4. You must apply for a refund before the end of the 28-Day validity period.
• 4.5. A refund is calculated as the difference between the price you paid for the Flexi Season and the cost of the appropriate ticket(s) to travel at peak time, covering one return journey between the origin and destination of the Flexi Season, for each day’s travel you have activated. Where the price is higher between the destination and origin of the Flexi Season for the appropriate ticket(s) to travel at peak time, covering one return journey, this higher price will be used in the refund calculation.
• 4.6. The refund calculation will be based on the price of the appropriate peak time fare as it was on the start date of your Flexi Season.

INFORMATION: You should be aware that the Season Ticket will need to be surrendered or, in the case of a smart Season Ticket, cancelled, so a refund should only be requested once you have completely finished using it. Because of the discounts on longer term Season Tickets, refunds are not made pro-rata to the periods before/after surrender and annual Season Tickets may have no refund value after 10 months and 12 days. For this reason, we recommend that employers' annual Season Ticket loan schemes are set up so that reimbursements are made in 10 equal monthly payments with two 'free' months at the end of the year, rather than in 12 equal monthly payments.

5. Refund Eligibility

• 5.1. There must be at least seven days remaining on a monthly or longer Season Ticket, or at least three days remaining on a 7-Day Season Ticket to obtain a refund (although on some 7-Day Season Tickets there may be no refund value after three days of use, dependent upon the relevant Anytime Day Return price). Flexi Seasons can only be refunded within their 28-Day validity period, regardless of number of unused days held.
• 5.2. Refunds are permitted on Duplicate Season Tickets. In these instances, an interview with the original retailer of the Season Ticket/Duplicate Season Ticket may be necessary. Please ask your retailer for more details.
• 5.3. In cases of illness, the refund can be backdated if you can produce evidence (such as a medical certificate) for a period before you request a refund, provided that you have not started travelling again using your Season Ticket since your illness.

Additional Conditions specific to Flexi Season

• 5.4. If you can provide evidence (such as a medical certificate) that you were not able to apply for a refund before the end of the 28-Day validity period because of illness, your retailer will still consider your refund application. INFORMATION: It is not possible to have a partial refund or allow a Season Ticket to be extended for periods of non-use e.g. annual leave.
• 6. Discounts
• 6.1. Railcard discounts are not available, except for 16-17 Saver and Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card. Child discount is available on Season Tickets.

Additional conditions specific to Flexi Season

• 6.2. There are no Child or Railcard discounts available on Flexi Season, except for 16-17 Saver and Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card.

7. Compensation

• 7.1. If you are affected by cancellation or disruption to your journey, you may be entitled to compensation under the terms of the Passengers’ Charter of the operator you are travelling with. This could be in the form of a compensation payment (such as “Delay Repay”), or in the form of a discount on your Season Ticket renewal. This will be made clear in the Passenger’s Charter of the operator concerned.

INFORMATION: A day already activated on your Flexi Season cannot be de-activated or refunded. If due to cancellation or disruption you choose not to travel or abandon your Flexi Season journey, please apply to your train operator for consideration of compensation such as “Delay Repay”.

8. Lost or stolen Season Tickets or photocards

• 8.1. If you lose your Season Ticket or it is stolen, report this immediately to the retailer from whom you bought it. If you or we cannot recover the lost or stolen ticket, we will then consider an application for a duplicate ticket, if the original was issued for a period of one month or more. We do not issue duplicates in respect of lost or stolen 7 Day Season or Flexi Season Tickets. We may ask you or others for information. There is an administration charge when we issue a duplicate Season Ticket.
• 8.2. We will refund (with no administration charge) the cost of tickets you buy while you are waiting for the duplicate ticket to be issued, if you hand these tickets in.
• 8.3. If you lose your photocard or it is stolen, we can issue a new one, for which a further passport-type photograph is required. If we need to reissue your Season Ticket, an administration charge will be made. Please refer to National Rail Conditions of Travel; Conditions 39.1-39.4 for further details.

9. Requirement to Show Season Tickets (including dead battery on a mobile device) - Damaged or defective Season Tickets

• 9.1. You must always hold a valid ticket to travel and it must be readable by rail staff and validators.
• 9.2. If you are unable to show a valid and readable ticket, you will be treated the same as any other customer unable to provide a ticket and in line with the train company’s ticketless travel policy, which may include the issuing of a Penalty Fare.
• 9.3. If your valid Season Ticket is damaged, illegible or defective, for example it will no longer work in ticket gates, it will be replaced by the retailer from whom it was purchased, provided the retailer which sold it can confirm the ticket is still valid.
• 9.4. Where your Season Ticket is held on a defective smartcard (e.g. damaged or unreadable smartcard), you must contact the train operator or retailer that issued the smartcard to report your smartcard as damaged.
• 9.5. If your Season Ticket is held on a mobile device, you are responsible for ensuring that your Season Ticket can be scanned and your device has enough battery for the duration of your journey.

10. Season Tickets left at home

• 10.1. If you hold a valid Season Ticket but were unable to present it when requested because you had forgotten to carry it on that particular journey or mislaid it, the retailer of your Season Ticket, may at their discretion, refund any fare or Penalty Fare paid, less an administration charge not exceeding £10. In order to claim such a refund, you will need to provide the retailer from whom you bought your Season Ticket with your Season Ticket (and photocard if applicable), together with the additional Tickets you have purchased or any Penalty Fares notices.
• 10.2. A maximum of two refund claims on tickets purchased when a Season Ticket cannot be presented will be considered in any 12-month period regardless of the number of Season Tickets bought during that time.
• 10.3. We will not make any refund on additional tickets purchased when you forgot to carry your Flexi Season ticket.

Fare for everyone

If you're travelling on one of our trains, you must have a ticket that's valid for travel on that service. To make it fair for everyone, there are different ticket types available and our team are onboard to help with any queries.

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Flexi Season FAQs

Buying a flexi season ticket, using a flexi season ticket, changeovers, refunds and delay repay, help and support.

A Flexi Season ticket provides customers with 8 days of travel in 28 days - any time between two named stations. The 8 days of travel doesn’t need to be specified in advance, giving part-time commuters more flexibility to travel when they want and need.

The Flexi Season ticket is priced between an Anytime Day Return and a 7 Day Season ticket, offering savings for commuters travelling during peak times, 2-3 days a week.

Flexi Season tickets will be available as a smart ticket only. So order a SWR smartcard today if you don’t have one already as these can take up to 5 days to arrive. Other retailers may offer Flexi Season as a Barcode ticket.

You will need to activate a day pass within your ticket before you travel.

A Flexi Season ticket is a new, more flexible, kind of season ticket that allows 8 days of travel in 28 days with unlimited travel, from the time you activate your day pass until 04:29 the next morning, between two stations each day that it is used. It’s great for commuters travelling during peak times 2-3 days a week, Monday to Friday, as it could offer an alternative to a traditional five-day a week season ticket.

A Flexi Season allows you to take advantage of a frequent travel discount, giving you 8 separate days of travel in 28 days between two stations, which don’t have to be used consecutively. In comparison, a Season ticket allows you unlimited travel within its validity period - typically for a week, or any period between a month and a year.

Season tickets are available in First Class and Child options, while Flexi comes in Standard Class only as it is aimed at commuters travelling during peak-times, Monday to Friday, 2-3 days a week.

Use the  season ticket calculator  to compare Flexi Season, day return and season ticket prices, then buy your ticket online, on our app or at selected SWR stations. If you have a  16-17 Saver  or a  Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card , you can also get an extra 50% off your Flexi season ticket saving you even more.

Yes, unless it is for a specified operator or route. If it is this will be stated at time of purchase.

Smartcard: Flexi Season tickets are available on our smartcard online and via our app. They will also be available from ticket offices that have been enabled for smart retailing. Click here for further details.

Barcode: Flexi Season tickets may be available from other retailers on barcode for online and App purchase. This will either be delivered as a pdf document attached to an email, which can be stored in your phone wallet, or it will be delivered to your app and stored there.

No, but Flexi Season tickets can be used for travel during peak and off-peak periods. Flexi tickets are aimed at commuters making the same journey 2 –3 times a week during peak times.

Flexi Season tickets are available for Standard Class only. We appreciate your feedback and will consider this as we develop these products further in future.

No, Flexi Season tickets are available for adults only.

If you already have a Flexi Season ticket on your smartcard with days of travel remaining, you must avoid having a second Flexi Season ticket with overlapping validity.

You should either use all your day passes before buying a new Flexi Season ticket or ensure the start date of the new Flexi Season ticket is after the last day of planned travel on your current Flexi Season ticket to avoid the new ticket being used before all 8 days on the active ticket have been used.

A Flexi Season ticket is a form of Season Ticket and comparing a Flexi Season ticket with the equivalent Monthly Season ticket, the minimum discount will be 20%.

A Flexi Season ticket could help to save you money if you’re commuting during peak-times at least two days a week. The cost of a Flexi Season Ticket is priced between the cost of an Anytime Day Return and a 7 Day Season Ticket.

16-17 Saver and Job Centre Plus Travel Discount Card holders will be able to get 50% off their Flexi Season ticket but no other Railcard or group discounts will apply.

Railcards cannot be used to get discounts on Season or Flexi Season tickets as they are already heavily discounted tickets.

Railcards were created to encourage people to make off-peak leisure journeys across Britain by train. There are terms and conditions in place on our Railcards to reflect this.If you travel during peak times, regularly, it might be worth considering a season ticket. A season ticket gives you 52 weeks of travel for the price of 40. Alternatively, the Flexi Season will give you 8 days of travel across 28 days any time between two stations and offers a minimum 20% off the equivalent Monthly Season ticket.

A Flexi Season ticket will provide better value and convenience for most commuters travelling two to three days a week, compared to existing daily tickets or traditional Season tickets. Railcards were created to encourage people to make off-peak leisure journeys across Britain by train.

We used research to ensure that Flexi Season tickets would be available on the vast majority of routes used by commuters. Thanks for letting us know that you would like a Flexi Season ticket on your route. We appreciate your interest and will consider this as we develop these products further in future.

Pay as you go on Oyster or Contactless already offer convenient flexible fares for London Underground and National Rail journeys wholly within the London Zonal Fare Area, which is why Flexi Season tickets aren’t available on these routes. Passengers in London already have an advanced customer offer with Oyster and contactless, providing a fully integrated service across all transport modes with daily and weekly price caps for part-time commuters.

Customers must touch in on a yellow smartcard reader before starting a journey which activates a Flexi Season pass. If they do not do this they may be considered to be travelling without a valid day pass. If the station doesn’t have a yellow smartcard reader to start a day pass, customers should download the National Rail Smartcard Manager app in the Apple App Store  or Google Play Store and follow the instructions to activate a Flexi Season pass, alternatively a member of staff on-board may be able to help.

With a Flexi Season ticket you can make unlimited journeys between your named start and end stations. You can also break, start or end your journey at any station on your permitted route. Your day pass will be valid from the time you activate it until 04:29 the next morning.

In most cases you can use any operator between your start and end stations.

If your Flexi Season ticket is only valid on one operator but you wish to travel with a different one then you will need to buy a new ticket for your journey.

If your Flexi Season ticket is restricted to a particular to route you can change the route it covers and pay the difference in fare.

No. Journeys within the London Zonal Fare Area are not available on a Flexi Season ticket. You can use Pay as you go on Oyster or Contactless for onward connections on Transport for London services.

A photocard is not needed for a Flexi Season ticket.

You can check this by logging into your ‘My Account’ section on the SWR website, going to 'Manage Your Smartcards' and selecting the smartcard that has your Flexi Season on it .

If you don’t make all of your journeys within 28 days, your passes will no longer be valid to use. You can request a refund for the remaining passes before the expiry date from the retailer you purchased your ticket from. The refund will be calculated from the difference between the price you paid for the Flexi Season and the cost of an Anytime return ticket for each day you have used. An administration fee of no more than £10 will apply.

Currently, we recommend that you have a smartcard just for a Flexi Season ticket and a separate smartcard for using Tap2Go for pay as you go travel and other types of train tickets. If you have Tap2Go or a ticket with a similar journey on the same smartcard as their Flexi Season ticket, we can’t guarantee our system will select the right ticket or charge the correct fare. Additional smartcards to be stored within the online SWR account can be ordered free of charge.

When you order a new smartcard in your online account, you can choose a nickname for your smartcard to help you to tell the difference. For example, you could give your new smartcard the nickname ‘Flexi Season’. You may also wish to amend the name slightly that will be printed onto the card to.

Just like a traditional season ticket, you can break your journey at any of the stations between the Flexi Season ticket’s origin and destination station.

It’s important that you touch in and out when travelling with a smartcard. If you don’t tap in at the start of their journey, your Flexi Season day pass won’t be activated so you won’t have a valid day pass and this means you could be subject to a Penalty Fare. If they don’t tap out it may be difficult to verify any Delay Repay payments they may be entitled to.

It’s important that you tap in or out on the gate reader even if the gate is open (the reader still works even if the gate is open). If the successfully read, it will make an audible beep and the screen will show ‘enter’.

If the gateline reader is covered over or out of us you should use a validator if available, usually located on the platform.

If you decide not to travel due to disruption or delays, you can claim a full refund for the cost of that day’s pass. If there are no delays but you decide not to travel anyway they can still request a refund, however an administration fee will be payable. To process a refund you should contact the Customer Service Centre on 0345 600 650.

You must tap out when leaving the station so that it can be verified that you did not travel.

Yes, you will need to activate your Flexi Season ticket by touching it on the yellow smartcard reader before boarding the replacement bus service.

A refund is calculated from the difference between the price you paid for the Flexi Season and the cost of an Anytime return ticket for each day you have used, minus an administration fee of no more than £10. If you only have one or two journeys left on your Flexi Season you may find that no refund is available.

Unused Flexi Season tickets that have not expired are refundable. If you purchased your Flexi Season ticket from our website or app, you’ll need to fill out the online train ticket refund form . If you purchased your Flexi Season from one of our ticket offices, please return it to one of our smart enabled tickets offices and one of our stations team will be able to assist you.

You must apply for a refund from your retailer before the end of the 28-validity period. The refund will be calculated based on the price of an Anytime return ticket for the journey your Flexi Season is valid for, the number of travel days used within the ticket's validity minus the administration fee.

If you experienced a delay of 15 minutes or more on SWR services then you are eligible for compensation under our Delay Repay scheme. With our Smartcard, you can also sign up for Automated Delay Repay notifications. Further information on our scheme can be found  here .

Compensation for delays must always be claimed from the operator you travelled with, other operator schemes may vary. You can find information on other delay repay schemes here .

You can’t exchange a Flexi Season so, if you’ve already been using your Flexi ticket, our recommendation would be to use up your eight journeys and purchase a Season Ticket once you’ve used all your journeys. Alternatively, you can request a refund less the admin fee and purchase a Season ticket.

If you were sick and couldn’t use your Flexi Season ticket you must apply for a refund before the end of the 28-Day validity period. There must be a minimum of one unused journey left to refund and a £10 admin fee will apply. If you can provide evidence that you were not able to apply for a refund because of illness (such as a doctor’s note), we will still consider your refund application after the expiry date.

It is not possible to change one Flexi Season ticket for a different journeys. You will need to apply for a refund on your remaining Flexi Season ticket passes and then buy another Flexi Season for your new journey.

If you lose or forget your Smartcard or Flexi Season ticket you will need to purchase a new ticket in order to make your journey. Contact the retailer of your Flexi Season for more information.

If you are having problems with your Flexi Season ticket, you will need to contact the Customer Service Centre via the web form, by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 0345 6000 650.

You should contact the Customer Service Centre on 0345 6000 650 as soon as you realise your smartcard is missing. The card will be disabled and a new one issued; this can take up to 7 days.

Any paper tickets purchased in between are not refundable as we are unable to deduct them from the Touch Smartcard. Any unused Flexi Season ticket day passes may be refunded before they expire.

A growing number of our stations can also help you with a lost smartcard. Click here for the full list.

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Amtrak Booking: 14 Tips & Tricks To Know When Planning A Train Trip

• Research Amtrak routes, amenities, and prices to plan a comfortable trip and save money on tickets. Use the Amtrak Trip Map to understand the train's journey.
• Take advantage of Amtrak's everyday discounts for various groups, such as children, students, veterans, and people with disabilities. Check the "Everyday Discounts" page for eligibility.
• Look for time-sensitive deals on Amtrak's dedicated deals page. These deals offer discounts on tickets, double points, and special offers for specific destinations or times. Choose from a variety of deals to save money on ticket prices.

One of the finest ways to tour the United States is via Amtrak train. Whether seeing scenic views along the most beautiful Amtrak route or enjoying one of the many amazing Amtrak routes for foodies , passengers enjoy a greater standard of luxury than they would on a bus or some airlines.

There are a few things first-timers should be aware of with Amtrak if they are considering traveling in the United States by train. The following tips and tricks will help travelers book their Amtrak tickets in the easiest way at the most affordable price, as well as help them boost their comfort and convenience levels on their vacation. There's no better travel than via a train!

UPDATE: 2023/10/02 21:28 EST BY REENA JAIN

Four More Tips & Tricks For Amtrak Booking

Amtrak stands out as one of the more affordable modes of transportation, and there are a number of ways to save money while making reservations. In light of this, we have updated this list to include four more tips and tricks every passenger should be aware of before booking Amtrak tickets. Have fun, and enjoy the ride!

Related: California Zephyr Vs. Southwest Chief: Which Amtrak Train Route Is More Scenic?

Research For Amtrak Train Routes And Prices

Get a thorough understanding of Amtrak train routes and prices before purchasing a ticket. Discover how to take the train from the starting point to the destination by exploring the Amtrak Trip Map . Learn about the locations and cities the train will travel through. Also, acquire a full picture of the amenities and services offered at the stations, such as checked baggage, Wi-Fi, accessibility, and more, and become acquainted with them. This allows one to plan a comfortable trip while also saving money on tickets.

Check Out For Everyday Discounts

Another surefire way to save money on ticket prices is to take advantage of Amtrak's numerous discounts based on a passenger's age or for membership in different organizations. Child tickets, students, veterans, military people and their families, government employees, and Rail Passengers Association members are all eligible for discounts. People with disabilities are also eligible for discounts. People with disabilities also get discounts. So, passengers must check Amtrak's " Everyday Discounts " page before reserving their tickets to see if they are eligible for any discounts.

Look For Bargains On Dedicated Deals Page

Amtrak regularly posts time-sensitive bargains on its dedicated deals page . And, believe it or not, some of these bargains are simply superb! These deals are unquestionably the best way to save money on Amtrak ticket prices. Some of these deals include discounts on purchasing a good number of tickets; some offer double points on Amtrak Guest Rewards; and others offer discounts to a particular location or at a particular time. There are a great number of deals to choose from. Aren't these deals incredible?

Bring Own Food And Alcoholic Beverages

Many trains provide one or more onboard eating options. Plus, passengers who use their Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred MasterCard to make food and beverage purchases onboard receive a 20% discount in the form of a statement credit. Thus, enjoying the onboard food is also rewarding. But those wishing to save money must bring their own food, water, and beverages (alcoholic stock as per Amtrak guidelines). Passengers can eat their food and non-alcoholic beverages in their seats, in their personal Sleeping Cars, and in the Sightseer Lounges. Nevertheless, they can only enjoy private stock in their Sleeping Car accommodations.

Book Amtrak Tickets In Advance & Purchase In The First "Buckets"

Amtrak offers a distinctive way to purchase train tickets that works well for early-bird tourists. Amtrak offers tickets in 'buckets,' with the lowest rates going on sale first, as opposed to the dynamic pricing matrix used by the majority of airlines. The next bucket, with a higher ticket price, is opened up after the allowed number of tickets for that price in the bucket has been sold out.

It is also preferable to schedule a trip as soon as travelers can because inexpensive tickets on busy days sell out the quickest (this is especially true for the most popular and busiest Amtrak routes ). Amtrak even offers discounts for travel up to two weeks in advance. If travelers make their reservations 14 days in advance, they may still be able to save up to 25% on their Amtrak fare.

An Amtrak rail ticket can be booked up to 11 months in advance.

Opt For The Best Days Of The Week To Book An Amtrak Ticket

Amtrak Train has special offers every week ; it is recommended to check to see what sales are being offered by the company on Tuesdays and Fridays. However, according to Money Saving Expert , purchasing train tickets 12 weeks before the departure date can potentially result in further savings.

Therefore, travelers are recommended to continuously check the offers and ticket prices to get the cheapest tickets!

• Cheapest days to book Amtrak: Tuesday and Friday

Be Flexible When Buying Amtrak Tickets

Similarly to other means of travel, flexibility is necessary if travelers are looking for the lowest fares. Sometimes, buying an Amtrak ticket on a certain day can cost them additional fees than the day before or after.

Consequently, if travelers are not limited by time and can postpone or schedule their trips earlier, it is guaranteed that their flexibility will pay off and save them some money.

Related: Empire Builder: What Makes This Amtrak Route One Of The Most Scenic In The U.S.

Book Tickets On The Official Amtrak Website Or App

One of the many things to know about Amtrak is that the easiest way to buy a train ticket is online at Amtrak.com . Travelers can also use their Amtrak mobile app. If they are old school or just like speaking to real people and find it easier, they may still buy their tickets at the ticket counter at any Amtrak station.

Also, not only is it easier to buy Amtrak tickets online or via the app, but it's also cheaper since travelers normally get the best rates. In addition, passengers can sometimes avail of discounts and special deals when they use the official Amtrak website and Amtrak app. Waiting until one gets to the station typically entails paying the highest price since Amtrak tickets increase in cost as seats are booked and the departure date gets closer.

Study All Amtrak Seating Options Before Purchasing A Ticket

Travelers may choose from a variety of seating arrangements while traveling by Amtrak train. Additionally, there are several alternatives for sleeping cars. They can select a Roomette, a Bedroom, an Accessible Bedroom, a Bedroom Suite, or a Family Bedroom according to the train they are on.

Travelers may also browse images and the specifications of each seat or sleeper car on the Amtrak official website to know more about their seating options.

• Some seat types on Amtrak trains: First Class, Business, Coach, and Sleeper Cars

Book The Appropriate Trip Duration When Buying An Amtrak Ticket

When travelers buy their tickets, they have a lot of various scheduling options accessible to them. One train, for instance, may go to its final station in just ten hours and without any stops. However, there may also be a few different itineraries that take 15 to 20 hours and have layovers.

Therefore, Amtrak riders should decide on the destinations they would like to visit before booking their tickets. That way, they can make a sightseeing vacation out of their train journey. Alternatively, if they want to get straight to their destination, booking an Amtrak train with minimal stops is better.

Related: The Joy Of Train Travel: Unwind & Relax With These Top 10 Amtrak Sleeper Train Routes

Download The Amtrak App

If travelers want to make their trip more efficient, they can install the Amtrak application on their smartphones. It is a useful tool for booking an Amtrak ticket and later showing it instead of printing it, finding a station at a certain location, and checking the status of a train.

Additionally, travelers will never need to be concerned about losing out on crucial information.

• Mobile operating systems: The Amtrak app is compatible with Android, Windows, and iPhone.

Participate In The Amtrak Guest Rewards Program

A terrific method to get free class upgrades, hotel and rental car savings, and access to travel bargains is through Amtrak's free rewards program. Getting started with the program is free and just takes a few minutes.

Even if travelers do not book a trip frequently, it is a good idea to join up for Amtrak Guest Rewards since any points they earn are valid for two years as long as there is activity on their account.

Know Amtrak Baggage Limits

Before travelers get to the train station to book a ticket and board, it is crucial to be aware of how much luggage they may carry. In this manner, they steer clear of snags and unanticipated costs. There are baggage allowances of two personal items and two carry-on bags per Amtrak traveler.

Each traveler is also permitted to carry up to 4 checked baggage with them . The first two items are free with the purchase of admission. However, any extra bag after that will cost extra fees.

• Amtrak Baggage Cost: $20 per additional bag

Choose An Amtrak Sleeper Bedroom Or Roomette For The Most Comfortable Experience

Although there are several booking options, as mentioned earlier, the most comfortable way to travel on long-distance trains is to reserve an Amtrak Roomette or Bedroom (and there are differences between the two) .

Travelers should know that all dining car meals, free bottles of water, hot showers, soft drinks with ice, and hot coffee are all included in their reservations. A special sleeping car attendant will also be assigned to them.

Travelers should make sure to tip the sleeping car attendant.

Simple Flying

Rail & fly: everything you need to know about air india's intermodal ticket partnership.

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• Air India's Rail & Fly connects passengers with Deutsche Bahn, providing seamless travel around Germany.
• Booking is simple through Air India, and the service offers flexibility with train times.
• Benefits like simplicity for travelers and environmental sustainability highlight the growing trend of integrated travel solutions.

Air India 's Rail & Fly service is an intermodal travel option that connects Air India passengers with Deutsche Bahn (DB) train services, providing them with a convenient way to travel between German airports and over 5,600 train stations across the country. They also collaborate with AccessRail for travel across Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK. This service is part of a growing trend towards integrated travel solutions, aimed at offering passengers a seamless transition from the skies to the rails to their final destinations.

"The expansion of our global network is one of our key priorities in the ongoing, comprehensive transformation of Air India. This partnership with AccesRail not only helps us to provide our guests easy access to an extended network of destinations across Europe but also to bridge the gaps in connectivity between India and Europe. Augmenting our network with an intermodal approach also underlines our commitment to environmental sustainability."

-- Nipun Aggarwal, AI's Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer, via The Economic Times

How does Rail & Fly work?

Rail & Fly is relatively straightforward to book. When purchasing a flight through Air India's website (or via their mobile app), you can opt to add a Rail & Fly ticket to your itinerary. To check in and collect your train ticket, you will need to visit the partner website or login via their mobile app (AccessRail or Deutsche) and confirm using your Air India ticket number.

The service itself offers flexibility, allowing you to choose your train time within a window around your flight's departure or arrival. This means you don’t have to worry if your flight is delayed or if you want to spend some extra time at your destination before heading to the airport.

5 Frequent Flyer Programs That Let You Earn Points On Trains

With many ways how to earn miles while not flying, intermodal transportation became one of the mediums airline loyalty programs have long explored.

How to actually use Rail & Fly:

• Booking: Add Rail & Fly to your flight booking through Air India.
• Checking In: You must complete your web check-in 72 hours before departure.
• Ticket Collection: Retrieve your train ticket using the code provided, either online or via the partner mobile app.
• Traveling: Travel on any Deutsche Bahn or AccessRail train that fits within the allowed time window.

The baggage allowance you have on your Air India flight will be the same for your train trip as well.

Rail & Fly target audience benefits: Germany

For international travelers flying into or out of Germany on Air India flights, Rail & Fly can be a valuable and useful service, especially if your final destination isn’t near a major airport. The service simplifies the logistics of reaching smaller cities or towns, which might otherwise require separate travel bookings for train/bus tickets, taxi/shuttle services, or car rentals.

Business travelers, in particular, may find Rail & Fly appealing because it reduces the hassle of managing multiple tickets and offers a smoother travel experience. Additionally, for those unfamiliar with Germany’s extensive train network, having everything tied into one booking can alleviate the stress of navigating new transport systems.

However, while the service is undoubtedly convenient, it's not without its limitations and understanding them can help you decide whether Rail & Fly is the right choice for your upcoming trip to Germany or not.

Making the flexibility trade-off

One of the primary selling points of Rail & Fly is its flexibility: You can travel on almost any train whose schedule fits within the allowed time window around your flight. This can be a significant advantage if you want to explore your destination more leisurely, or need to accommodate flight delays.

This flexibility comes with a caveat though: the Rail & Fly ticket doesn't reserve a specific seat on the train. During peak travel times, trains can be crowded, and without a reserved seat, you might find yourself standing for the journey or unable to book trains that already have an exceptionally high demand at all, according to Air India .

For those of you who are used to the predictability of reserved seating on long journeys, this could be a considerable downside. It’s worth weighing the convenience of Rail & Fly against the potential inconvenience of having to find an unreserved seat on a crowded train.

If you prefer a guaranteed seat, you can purchase a seat reservation separately through Deutsche Bahn (either on the website or through the DB Navigator app). This adds to the cost but might be worth it for longer trips or during busy travel periods.

Key features of Rail & Fly

• Classes of Service: Choose between Economy and Business cabins for your rail and bus travel.
• Train Coverage: You can now access all Deutsche Bahn-serviced stations within Germany.
• Ticket Flexibility: Travel on any train within the time window, but no reserved seating unless booked separately.

United Airlines Passengers Can Now Extend Their Trip With Deutsche Bahn Tickets

Passengers can travel to and from 25 cities in Germany and Basel on a single ticket via Frankfurt Aiport with the German rail operator.

Wrapping it up

Air India's Rail & Fly service offers a convenient way to combine air and rail travel, particularly for those looking to connect seamlessly within Germany. It’s also an excellent option for European travelers who value the flexibility and convenience of connecting through AccessRail, especially when navigating a new country’s transport system. However, it’s not without its drawbacks, e.g. the lack of reserved seating and the potential unavailability of high-demand routes at peak times.

For frequent travelers or those on a tight schedule, the ability to move fluidly between flights and trains without worrying about separate bookings can be a significant advantage. But if comfort is a priority, particularly on longer train journeys, you may want to weigh the benefits of Rail & Fly against the more traditional separate-bookings method and pay more for that peace of mind.

In the end, Rail & Fly is a robust solution for many, but not a one-size-fits-all. As with any travel service, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and travel style before deciding to hop onboard.