Changes to peak times and tickets on some routes

As of 3 December 2023, you may have noticed changes to peak times and tickets on a small number of Southeastern routes. This is in preparation for the Department for Transport’s rollout of pay as you go with contactless at more stations across the South East in 2024. Pay as you go with contactless is being extended to 53 National Rail stations across the South East. 

Only six Southeastern stations are part of these changes: Sevenoaks, Dunton Green, Bat and Ball, Otford, Shoreham and Eynsford.

There are no changes to fares from any other Southeastern stations.


Changes to Peak Times

In preparation for this expansion of pay as you go with contactless in the South East, fares for some journeys are changing from 3 December 2023. These changes are to make sure that fares for all ticket types, including pay as you go with contactless fares, are aligned.

For journeys where contactless will become available, peak and off-peak fares restrictions into and around London will be based on the following times and are determined by the departure time of your train(s), not by when you purchase your ticket.

  • Morning peak fares are charged between 04:30 and 09:30, Monday to Friday
  • Evening peak fares are charged between 16.00 and 19.00, Monday to Friday when travelling from or via stations in the London Zones 1-9
  • Off-peak fares are charged at all other times

From 3 December 2023: Changes to fares and ticket restrictions for your journey from Sevenoaks

Travelling towards London, these departures are now designated as Peak services:

Dep. Sevenoaks  09:06  09:12  09:18   09:22 09:27 
 Arr. London Bridge  09:51  09:38  09:41  -  09:49
 Arr. Waterloo East  09:57  09:44  09:47  -  09:55
 Arr. Charing Cross  10:00  09:48  09:50  -  09:59
 Arr. Blackfriars  -  -  -  10:29  -

Off-peak rail-only day tickets are no longer valid on these services. However, one day Travelcards are valid. Senior and Family railcards cannot be used, expect when purchasing a one day Travelcard.

There are no peak restrictions towards London in the afternoon or evening.

Example day fares from Sevenoaks to London on peak services:

Fares valid on peak services    Using a Senior/Family railcard
 Peak / Anytime Day Single  £14.60  N/A
 Peak / Anytime day Return  £29.20  N/A
 Flexi Season (per day)  £25.55  N/A
 Off-Peak day Travelcard  £20.80  £13.75

Example day fares from Sevenoaks to London on off-peak services:

Fares valid on peak services   Using a Senior/Family railcard 
 Off-peak day single  £8.00   £5.25
 Off-peak day return  £16.00  £10.55

From 3 December 2023: Changes to fares and ticket restrictions for your journey from London to Sevenoaks

All services from London departing between 04:29 and 09:30 and between 16:00 and 19:00 will be peak services. Off-peak rail-only day tickets will no longer be valid on these services, with the exception of one day Travelcards. Senior and Family railcards are valid on these trains.

Example day fares from London to Sevenoaks on peak services:

Fares valid on peak services   Using a Senior/Family railcard 
 Peak / Anytime Day Single  £14.60   N/A
 Peak / Anytime day Return  £29.20  N/A

Example day fares from London to Sevenoaks on off-peak services:

Fares valid on off-peak services    Using a Senior/Family railcard
 Off-peak day single  £8.00   £5.25
 Off-peak day return  £16.00  £10.55

 

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