How to get my train tickets

Buy an e-ticket and download it straight to your phone. These train tickets are available to buy up to 10 minutes before your train's scheduled departure time.

You can buy e-tickets on our website and TPExpress app, which is where your tickets will be stored. Download the app and sign into your account to access your tickets (stored within the 'Ticket's tab).

When you're travelling you'll be asked to present your e-ticket barcode for scanning, so make sure your phone is fully charged and ready to go.

e-tickets are currently available for TransPennine Express only tickets, including Season Tickets between Yarm and Middlesbrough, and Scarborough and York.  Availability will increase in the coming years as more train operating companies meet this new mobile ticketing industry standard.

If you buy your train tickets online and would prefer to print them out, rather than collect from the station, select Self Print when booking. 

Self print is available on all Advance Purchase tickets, including Manchester Airport Advance tickets. 

How does it work?

• Buy your train tickets online and select 'Self Print' under delivery options

• Once confirmed, you’ll be emailed a link to your secure e-ticket

• Click on the link to download and print your ticket

• When travelling, make sure you have the printed ticket and the card you booked with

• If you're travelling as a group, whoever bought the tickets must be with you - don't forget the payment card too

• You can print train tickets in either black and white or colour

What tickets can I buy at the station?

You can buy the full range of train tickets at any station on our network, including on-the-day and for future travel. Plus you can apply any railcard discounts too.

Wait times

If you’re buying train tickets at peak times you shouldn’t have to wait longer than 5 minutes and just 3 minutes during other times. Peak times vary at different stations, so we display them on the welcome poster at the entrance.

No ticket

If you board a train without a valid ticket at a station where buying facilities are available, you'll be charged the Anytime fare for your journey and won't be able to use any railcard discounts.

No ticketing facilities

If there are no ticketing facilities at the station just pay your fare to the conductor on board who will be able to offer you the full range of available tickets, except Advance Purchase.

If you buy train tickets online there are two options to get your ticket posted to you:

First Class Post

We can send your train tickets by standard post to the address you use when booking (so make sure it's the one you want tickets delivered to). Delivery will take 5 working days and is only available on train tickets booked before 6 pm. Simply select 'First Class Post' when booking. Please note, you’ll be charged £1 if alternative, more environmentally friendly delivery options, are available at the time of booking.

Next Day Delivery

Need your tickets urgently? We'll send the tickets by Royal Mail Special Delivery to the address you give us and you'll have to sign for them (£7.50 postage charge). Please note, this option is only available when purchasing your tickets before 5 pm. Simply select 'Special Delivery' when booking.

In some cases your ticket can be delivered to your Smartcard. If you’re using an existing Smartcard make sure you enter your Smartcard reference number correctly as we're unable to amend it after the payment.

Remember to bring your Smartcard when you travel too and make sure you validate it at the start and end of your journey using the stand alone validators or the ticket barriers. Some train companies apply additional restrictions to the use of Smartcards, so be aware of any additional restrictions you are notified about during the booking process.