LNER Simpler Fares Update

More customers are set to see simpler ticket choices for long-distance LNER journeys and have the option to try the new pilot ‘70min Flex’ fare for travel to and from London King’s Cross. 

Three simpler fare options will be available from more than twenty stations located around or between the hub stations of Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh, for LNER customers connecting to London King’s Cross or starting their journey from London King’s Cross. 

LNER has been working with train operators including Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, ScotRail and the Tyne and Wear Metro as part of the planned next step in its ongoing pilot to simplify ticketing. The fares will go on sale on 20 August 2024 for travel from 30 September 2024. 

Research shows more than a third of people are put off from travelling by rail because of confusion around fares. 

The Simpler Fares pilot sees the removal of complicated and outdated ticket types for long-distance journeys, and fares priced with the aim to smooth demand for services over the course of the day. Three straightforward fare options are already available for LNER customers between London and the major hub stations of Newcastle, Berwick upon Tweed and Edinburgh:

• Advance (Fixed) fares which offer the best value and a guaranteed seat reservation

• Anytime fares which are fully flexible and valid for travel at any time of the day

• A new ‘70min Flex’ fare which offers customers the option to start their journey up to 70 minutes earlier or later than booked, travelling with LNER to or from London King’s Cross, providing modern flexibility with guaranteed seats for the original booked journey

Now, many long-distance journeys between London King’s Cross and connecting stations around Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh will be included in the pilot, providing further insight and feedback as part of an industry ambition to reform and simplify fares. Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares, which make up just over 10 per cent of all LNER journeys, will no longer be available for these journeys. No other journeys are part of the pilot.

During the two-year trial, which began in January 2024, LNER is continuing to review feedback from customers and industry partners to understand more about how the changes are working for customers, while ensuring a wide range of affordable tickets are available across the pilot routes.