You’ve planned your journey by train or bus and you’re looking forward to reaching your destination – now you need to get your tickets. There are a range of bus and train ticket options, but which one is best value and most straightforward?
We’ve collated some information which might help. This information is correct to the best of our belief at the time of writing, but please check before you travel and make sure you have the correct tickets for your journey.
Train tickets – top tips
Children under 5 travel for free on alongside fare-paying passengers, and children aged 5-15 go half price on the majority of fares across the country.
Discounts and railcards are available in most circumstances for young people, students, families and groups of more than 10 people travelling together.
If you’re travelling on a train operated by Northern, you can visit their website for a range of ticket options. As a broad rule, the earlier you buy tickets, the cheaper it will be with Northern’s Advance fares – you can buy Advance tickets up to 8 weeks before your journey. You can also get group tickets and regional tickets, for example the South Pennines Day Ranger covers the High Peak and Hope Valley lines. Take a look at their website to discover the options: northernrailway.co.uk
A railcard can help you save up to 1/3 off train tickets. If you travel frequently they can be a good option, as they are quickly paid for after a few journeys. There are a range of railcards for people of different ages and group size and they apply to journeys across Britain. Take a look at the National Rail website to find the right railcard for you: Railcards – National Rail
Bus tickets – top tips
Nearly all single bus fares in England are £2 until 1 November 2023. From 1 November, the bus fare cap will be £2.50 until 30 November 2024. If you are making a one-way or straightforward return journey, buying two single fares can often be the cheapest option. You can travel a surprisingly long way for £2, for example from Buxton to Sheffield (30 miles!).
Local bus operators may have their own fares, available for use on their buses. Hulley’s of Baslow are a local bus company which offers “Hopper” tickets, including the Hope Valley Hopper and Group Day Hoppers, allowing passengers unlimited travel within the dates of the ticket. High Peak Buses offer Peak Plus tickets.
If you plan to travel on buses operated by different bus companies, a Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket might be best. See below.
Combined bus and train tickets – top tips
If your journey will include travel by bus and train, the Derbyshire Wayfarer might be the best option. There are bus-only Wayfarer tickets which allow you to travel on buses run by any participating bus company, and there are bus-and-train Wayfarer tickets. Please read the information on Derbyshire County Council’s website carefully: The Derbyshire Wayfarer rover ticket
If you travel within the Greater Manchester area, you may benefit from a travel pass or County Card which can be used on buses, trains and trams. Please visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for more information: Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)
You’ve planned your journey by train or bus and you’re looking forward to reaching your destination – now you need to get your tickets. There are a range of bus and train ticket options, but which one is best value and most straightforward?
We’ve collated some information which might help. This information is correct to the best of our belief at the time of writing, but please check before you travel and make sure you have the correct tickets for your journey.
Timetables and more detailed route information are available on the travel operators’ websites.
Now you’ve got your tickets sorted, start planning your day out in the Peak District at www.peakdistrictbytrain.org
