From 1 April 2026, National Rail refund rules for walk-on tickets are changing. Here’s what you need to know.
⚠️ I bought my ticket before 1 April 2026 – do these new rules apply to me?
No.
If you purchased your walk-on ticket before 1 April 2026, the previous refund rules apply — even if your travel date is after 1 April.
The new rules apply only to walk-on tickets purchased on or after 1 April 2026.
What’s changing?
From 1 April 2026, if you decide not to travel on a walk-on ticket, you must request your refund before 23:59 on the day before your ticket becomes valid.
When do I need to request my refund for a walk-on ticket?
You must submit your refund request before your walk-on ticket becomes valid for travel.
This means requesting your refund by 23:59 on the day before departure.
What happens if I request a refund for my walk-on ticket on the day of travel?
Refunds requested on or after the day your walk-on ticket becomes valid are only considered in exceptional circumstances, and evidence that the ticket was not used may be required.
Can I still get a refund on my walk-on ticket if my train is cancelled?
Yes.
If your train is cancelled and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a full refund on your walk-on ticket.
You can continue to request this in self-serve.
What if my train is delayed and I have a walk-on ticket?
If you travel using your walk-on ticket and your train is delayed, you may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation from the train operating company.
Delay Repay is separate from walk-on ticket refund rules.
Is there an administration fee for walk-on ticket refunds?
An administration fee may apply to eligible walk-on ticket refunds:
Up to £5 per ticket
Up to £10 per Season Ticket
If the administration fee is higher than the refund value, no refund will be payable.
I made a mistake when booking my walk-on ticket — can I still get a refund?
If you request a refund for your walk-on ticket before the day it becomes valid, your ticket’s terms and conditions apply.
Can I change my walk-on ticket instead?
If you want to change your walk-on ticket before the day of travel, you can do so in line with your ticket’s conditions.
On the day of travel or after, amendments to walk-on tickets are not permitted. Your ticket may still be valid on alternative services depending on its conditions.
For full details of the National Rail refund policy for walk-on tickets, please visit the dedicated National Rail page.