One fare for the whole family. Save on family trips to Liverpool, London and Birmingham.
The Family Advance ticket is a simpler, cheaper way for families to travel together across our network. Get a fixed-value fare for up to 2 adults and 4 children - no matter your group size.
Available up to 12 weeks ahead of your travel date - book early for the best availability.
Family Advance tickets explained
The Family Advance ticket is a fixed-price Advance fare available for groups of up to 2 adults and 4 children on the LNR network.
- One fixed fare for your whole group, the same price applies whether you're travelling with one child or four
- Tickets must be booked in advance and are valid only on the train shown on your ticket
- Subject to availability, we advise booking early to avoid missing out
- Tickets can be booked up to 12 weeks before travel (tickets are released on Saturday)
- Terms align with standard Advance ticket conditions
If your specified train is cancelled or delayed by over an hour, we will make special arrangements to accommodate you on another train.
While Family Advance tickets are non-refundable, if you decide not to travel due to the delay, we will offer a refund on completely unused tickets without any administration fee.
Who is eligible for Family Advance tickets?
To qualify for this specific family fare, your group must fit the following criteria:
- Up to 2 adults travelling with at least one child (aged 5-15)
- Up to 4 children aged 5-15
- Under 5s travel free, as usual, and do not count towards your 4-child limit
- Everyone must travel together for the whole journey
Why choose a Family Advance ticket?
One fare for the whole family
One flat fare covers your group size. No need to buy separate individual tickets.
Up to 2 adults and 4 children
Plus, children under 5 travel free and do not count towards your group size.
City trips for less
Available on services to/from London, Liverpool and Birmingham.
Easy access on the go
Available directly on your phone for your convenience.
Looking for other ways to save?
If you don't fit this specific group size, don't worry. We have a variety of discounts available. Head over to our family train tickets guide to explore options like GroupSave, child discounts, and London Travelcards.
How to get a Family Advance ticket
Family Advance fares work just like our regular Advance tickets - book a specific train, at a fixed price up to 12 weeks before your travel date.
You can buy your Family Off-Peak ticket:
- Online with our Journey Planner
- Through our app
- At station ticket machines (TVMs)
- Visiting us at a staffed station
- Or by calling us on 0333 311 0006
Tip: Add all passengers to your search first - adults and children. Once your full group is entered, the Family Off-Peak option appears automatically if it's available for your journey.
When and where can you use Family Advance tickets
Family Advance tickets are available on selected long-distance services across the network, making them the ultimate choice for budget-friendly trips to major cities like London, Liverpool and Birmingham.
Remember, tickets are limited availability, so booking early guarantees the cheapest fares.
Family Advance prices
Whether you are travelling as 1 adult and 2 children, or filling the ticket to max capacity with 2 adults and 4 children, you only pay the single flat Family Price shown below:
Family fares to London Euston
| Travelling from | Normal Advance fare (per person) | Family Advance fare |
| Birmingham New Street | £9 | |
| Northampton | £9 | |
| Milton Keynes | £6.80 | |
| Stafford | £9 | |
| Crewe | £10.50 | |
| Liverpool | £14 |
Family fares to Liverpool
| Travelling from | Normal Advance fare (per person) | Family Advance fare |
| Birmingham New Street | £11.50 | |
| Coventry | £11.50 | |
| Wolverhampton | £11.50 | |
| Stafford | £11 | |
| London | £14 |
Family fares to Birmingham
| Travelling from | Normal Advance fare (per person) | Family Advance fare |
| London | £9 | |
| Milton Keynes | £6.80 | |
| Liverpool | £11.50 | |
| Crewe | £8.90 |
Frequently asked questions
Railcard discounts do not apply to the Family Advance fare. However, if you travel regularly as a family, a Railcard could save you money on other fares - find out more about the Family & Friends Railcard.
The ticket covers up to 2 adults and up to 4 children aged 5–15. Under 5s travel free and don't need a ticket.
No. Children under 5 travel free and don't use up one of the 4 child spaces on the ticket.
No. Family Advance tickets are only valid on the specific booked service. Please check your ticket before travelling.
The Family Advance fare covers a maximum of 4 children. If you're travelling with more, you'll need to buy additional tickets for any children above this limit. Children aged 5-15 get 50% off and children under 5, travel for free.
It depends on your group size and journey. Our family train tickets guide covers all the options -from Family Advance to Railcards and Off-Peak travel.
Other ways to save as a family
We want to make sure your family always gets the best deal, no matter where or how often you travel. Read our family train tickets guide or explore our other family discounts below.
