What is smart ticketing?
Smart tickets replace paper tickets with either a plastic Smartcard or a mobile e-Ticket, both managed in your online account or the Chiltern Railways app.
Why go smart?
- Skip the queues – buy online or in-app and head straight to the gate
- Tap & go – just touch your Smartcard or scan your phone to start and finish your journey
- Peace of mind – your tickets live safely in your account, so there’s less chance of loss or damage
- Automatic Delay Repay – register your Smartcard once and we’ll alert you if you’re delayed by 15 minutes or more, removing the need for individual claims
- Less paper, less waste – a small step towards more sustainable travel
Which smart ticket is right for me?
Smartcard
What is it?
A hard-wearing plastic card with a built-in chip that stores all your train tickets—season, single or day return—in one handy place. Manage everything anytime in your Chiltern online account.
Why you’ll love it
- Stronger than paper: Perfect for weekly, monthly or annual Season Tickets
- Faster journeys: Just tap in at the start and tap out at your destination, no fumbling for paper stubs
- London ready: Works on the Tube if your Season Ticket includes a London Travelcard (e.g. Zones 1-6)
Extra for Gold Card holders
You’ll receive a Gold Record Card alongside your Smartcard, keep it as proof of your discount eligibility with other train companies.
Mobile e-ticket
What is it?
A digital train ticket you buy in the Chiltern Railways app, store in your ticket wallet and scan at the gate. It even works when your phone is offline.
Why you’ll love it
- Instant delivery: no queues, no printing, ready seconds after purchase
- One-tap payment: check out quickly with Apple Pay or Google Pay and save to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
- Always with you: safe inside the app, so there’s nothing to lose or damage
- Flexible fares: perfect for Advance, Single, Return, Anytime, Peak and Off-Peak journeys
Top Tip: Make sure you’ve got plenty of phone battery on the day as you might need to show your ticket at any point on the journey.
Is my journey smart-enabled?
The quickest way to check is with our live Smart map:
- Type your start and finish stations in the search bar
- Look for the orange “S” badge on both stations and the line between them. If you see it, every ticket you buy for that route can be loaded straight onto a Chiltern Smartcard
- No orange “S”? That route isn’t Smart-enabled yet, so you’ll need a paper ticket or a mobile e-Ticket instead
Top Tip: when you use the journey planner or Chiltern app, the same orange “S” icon appears next to any Smart-friendly ticket options, saving you a trip to the map.
Smart ticketing FAQs
How do I get a Smartcard?
Get your Smartcard in just four easy steps:
- Create or log in to your Chiltern account - Pick the Season Ticket you need. Look for the orange Smart “S” badge – that shows the route works with Smartcards.
- Choose your delivery - Under Delivery Options, select Smartcard and click Request a new card.
- Wait a few days - Your free Smartcard lands on your doormat within five working days.
- Activate and go - On your first trip, tap the card on the yellow reader at the gate – that loads the ticket and opens the barrier. After that, just tap in and out as normal.
Top Tip: Don’t forget your photocard ID. Keep your photocard with you whenever you travel; a ticket inspector may ask to see it as proof the Smartcard is yours.
How do I get a mobile e-ticket
Buy a mobile e-Ticket in three simple steps:
- Get the Chiltern Railways app -Download it free from the App Store or Google Play
- Plan your trip - Choose your journey and select mobile e-Ticket when you reach the delivery options
- Save and go - Add the barcode straight to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, then scan your phone at the gate
Top Tip: Keep your phone charged on travel day as you may need to show the e-Ticket during your journey.
Is my journey smart-enabled?
Check if your train journey is supported with smart ticketing using the interactive map or Chiltern network map below.
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.