I need some technology advice re ScotRail M tickets.
Three of us from the US will be traveling in the Highlands next week and have four ScotRail trips booked from 9/22 to 9/28 with M tickets, all on the ScotRail app.
I need clarification on accessing the M tickets. If I try now to download the ticket, I receive a message that it can’t be downloaded until 24 hours before the trip. Is that true? Is there a way to print the tickets now?
If we can’t print the tickets before we get to Scotland, will we need to purchase a Scotland SIM card to access the ScotRail app and the Mtickets on our phones?
Each of us has our own ScotRail app and mtickets. Two of us have unlocked phones that will allow use to switch to a Scottish service SIM card, if necessary. However, the third person does not have an unlocked phone. How can her M tickets be accessed in Scotland, if she can’t print them before we travel?
All advice will be most appreciated!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33887 posts
I don't understand the concern with the SIM cards.
You don't need signal or data when using the mTicket. As long as you have the app and wifi when purchasing the mTicket you are golden.
Quoting the mTicket page on Scotrail https://www.scotrail.co.uk/smart-tickets/mtickets :
Can’t get online?
Don’t worry. View and use your mTickets without
being connected. You only need an internet connection to buy and
download your mTickets, not to travel. Once you've done this, simply
open the ScotRail app and scan your mTicket at the gate.
Posted by
Freedonia
16320 posts
You don't print out M tickets. You just scan the barcode to get access to the platform and then show that to the conductor when asked.
You do have to activate them the day of travel but you don't need internet for that.
I last used them on Friday. Very simple.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you very much for these very clear and helpful replies!
I now understand how the M ticket process works and how I will use the app at the train station.
As you may have guessed, I am a little technology challenged.
Very thankful for this forum and all the participants who share this great information.
Posted by
Freedonia
16320 posts
Once I activate my ticket, I take a Screenshot of it just in case the app gives me problems when the conductor needs to see it.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Another helpful tip. Thank you!
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Post trip - one additional thing learned.
Once purchased online, the M tickets need to be downloaded and then activated via the app.
CAVEAT: once downloaded on a device, the ticket cannot be downloaded on another device.
I learned this the hard way. I did not ever see a warning about this on the ScotRail instructions
Only download on the device that will be traveling with you.
I have both an iPad and iPhone. I installed the ScotRail app on both devices. Because of its larger size, I used the iPad most of the time before the trip. This included figuring out how to download tickets on the ScotRail app, which I did on my iPad. I did not travel with the iPad, only the iPhone.
At the train station in Glasgow, when I tried to download my M ticket on my iPhone ScotRail app I received a message that the ticket had already been downloaded on another device. I could not download or activate it on my iPhone. I had to purchase a paper ticket ( with a cost of 2.5 times my pre purchased ticket) to get on the train with my friends!
Luckily, I was later able to resolve this situation with ScotRail via a phone call to an assistance phone number. ScotRail was able to release other ticket downloads I had made on my iPad so that I could download them on my iPhone. They also gave me refunds to make me whole on the trip where I had to purchase a second ticket.
Overall, my train trips were great. I saw so much fabulous terrain that I would not have seen driving.
Posted by
Denver, CO
797 posts
Thanks so much for reporting back! This downloading tip will help others from making the same mistake. I'm so happy that ScotRail was able to help you and even refunded the ticket you had to buy - what great service!
I LOVED traveling by train when I was in Scotland - so much better looking out the window than at a road. Glad you had such a good time.