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Train tickets pickup

Posted by on

I recently booked train tickets from London Paddington to Oxford, but I noticed that no e-tickets or PDF files were included with the confirmation. The instructions mention that we’ll need to collect the physical tickets at the station before travel.

As this is our first time using this type of ticket pickup, I wanted to ask a few clarifying questions: How time-consuming is the ticket collection process? We’ll be traveling early in the morning with quite a bit of luggage, so I want to make sure we allow enough extra time at the station.
Is it possible to collect the tickets a few days in advance at Paddington, rather than waiting until the day of travel? Is there any way to switch to e-tickets or digital delivery, to avoid the need for in-person pickup?
Any advice or alternatives to make this process smoother would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your help!

Posted by
17692 posts

It's fairly simple. You can collect your train ticket at any ticket machine or ticket ofice at any train station. (Not tube station.)

You will need your 8 character reference number and the card you used to purchase the ticket.

You can do this anytime.

Not sure if you can switch to etickets.

Posted by
29255 posts

I was usually not asked for my credit card when I retrieved tickets, though it happened at least once. I had a feeling it depended on which particular company's vending machine I happened to use.

It's a very simple process. I was always able to walk right up to a machine and get my tickets with no waiting. In the event of a problem, personnel at a staffed counter can print the tickets for you, but there you might encounter a line. The machines are very easy.

Posted by
142 posts

Make sure you have the card used to pay for the tickets as you will have to insert this into one of the machines. Enter the reference number as per the prompt and your tickets will be printed. make sure you wait for them, you seem to get more than you expect.
You can do this anytime at any rail station (not tube), ie, Euston, Paddington, Kings Cross and many more.
There is usually a selection option for tickets when booking, paper or digital/e tickets.

Posted by
1580 posts

There are these days some machines that do not require you to present a payment card, but I don’t know which companies. Avanti in Preston you certainly do not need a card any more for example.

Posted by
5577 posts

E-ticket is the usual default for this route from most retailers so it might well be worth checking you haven't bought a ticket type with a TfL component (eg a U1 underground ride). If you have you can make use of it.

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