Book up to 12 weeks in advance for our best value advance single tickets, with prices from £5.40 between London and Oxford and £6.40 between London and Birmingham. Remember, book through us and we will never charge a booking fee.
Why it is cheaper to buy an Advance Single Train ticket?
It is often cheaper to buy an advance single train ticket from Chiltern Railways as they are our best value fares. Typically, they are cheaper as they are released in limited numbers up to 12 weeks in advance, so early booking is advised. You can often save money compared to purchasing tickets on the day
- The earlier you book, the cheaper your travel could be.
- You can travel to your destination at the time you specify, giving you the chance to plan your trip ahead of time. Your ticket will only be valid for a journey at the time you specify.
- Advance tickets are sold as single tickets, but you can mix and match two singles to cover the return journey.
- You can get further savings on an Advance ticket with a railcard.
- To get the best value fares it's best to plan and aim to book at least 3 weeks in advance
- Advance tickets are generally non-refundable unless the train is cancelled or delayed. However, they can usually be changed prior to departure and subject to a fee and price difference.
Service | Availability |
|---|---|
Saturday | Saturday 18th July 2026 |
Sunday | Sunday 19th July 2026 |
Weekday | Friday 24th July 2026 |
Please note that Advance tickets are subject to availability. If there aren't any available at your specified time of travel, you can still get great savings from buying Super Off-Peak or Off-Peak tickets.
Restrictions
*Advance tickets for the following dates are either unavailable or limited.
Routes between London Marylebone and Oxford
Restriction | Dates |
|---|---|
Closed | 10/05, 16/05, 17/05, 23/05, 24/05, 25/05, 30/05, 31/05 |
Limited | 07/06, 12/06, 13/06, 17/06, 19/06, 20/06, 24/06, 26/06, 29/06, 01/07, 03/07, 04/07, 08/07, 10/07, 11/07 |
Routes between London Marylebone and Birmingham
Restriction | Dates |
|---|---|
Closed | 10/05, 16/05, 17/05, 23/05, 24/05, 25/05, 30/05, 31/05, 07/06 |
Limited | 12/06, 13/06, 17/06, 19/06, 20/06, 24/06, 26/06, 29/06, 01/07, 03/07, 04/07, 08/07, 10/07, 11/07 |
Read our terms and conditions for Advance tickets.
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Chiltern Railways is consistently ranked as one of the most punctual train companies in Britain. Enjoy a comfortable journey with friendly service and clean trains.
Advance Ticket FAQs
What is an advance train ticket?
Advance train tickets are one-way fares that offer great value for money. By booking in advance, you are most likely to find the cheapest rail travel tickets available. You must stick to the journey time and travel dates attached to the booking as they are not valid on other journeys. You can buy a ticket for the journey back, but as a single ticket.
How far in advance can I book train tickets?
Generally, advance tickets become available to buy from up to 12 weeks in advance to your journey. We sell advances up to 23:59 the day before travel. In a few cases you can buy advance tickets right up to departure.
Can I get an earlier train with an advance ticket?
No, Advance tickets are only valid on the service that was specified at the time of booking. You will have to pay a fee or purchase a new ticket for an earlier or later train.
Is it cheaper to buy train tickets in advance?
Yes. Advance tickets are the cheapest single fare tickets Chiltern Railway’s offer. But there are only a limited number of tickets for each day.
What happens if the train is cancelled with an advance ticket?
You will be entitled to travel on the next 2 available services operated by Chiltern Railways. If you choose not to travel due to the cancellation you will need to read the conditions of a refund.
What are the terms and conditions of an Advance single ticket with Chiltern Railways?
Please find out all the Advance single ticket terms and conditions.
Reasons to Choose Chiltern Railways
Arrive on time with Chiltern Railways – consistently ranked as one of the most punctual train companies in Britain. Get real-time updates through our app, so you always know what’s happening with your journey.
Book tickets for any train across the UK with no booking or card fees – ever. Choose eTickets and get them delivered straight to your phone in seconds.
We’re proud to be one of the UK’s top-rated train companies for customer satisfaction – thanks to our friendly service, clean trains and comfortable journeys.