Train travel to Skegness this Summer is different

The seaside resort is as popular as ever with our customers, and we are expecting another busy summer as beachgoers head to Skegness for their holidays.

We are encouraging you to book your tickets in advance to guarantee a space to or from Skegness this year. This will apply to travel between 9 July and 9 September.

If you haven’t pre-booked your tickets, you will still be able to travel on the day, but it may mean you have to wait for the next available train, so please bear this in mind.

Queues will be in place at Nottingham and Skegness for anyone who purchases a ticket on the day.

To ensure we have enough space to meet demand, we are running additional bus services:

  • On Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, a bus service will run from Grantham – Butlins / Ingoldmells – Skegness.
  • On Fridays and Saturdays, a bus service will run from Sleaford - Boston – Butlins / Ingoldmells – Skegness.

Frequently asked questions

Before you travel

Due to expected demand, we are encouraging you to book an advanced purchase ticket. This will ensure you are guaranteed a space on a specific train.

We’ve introduced a service for you to pre-book your place on your chosen train. Booking as early as possible will help you get the best price and availability. You can book up to 12 weeks in advance. By doing this, you’ll be able to select the train you wish to travel on and will be able to book your return journey at the same time.

There isn’t the option to book a specific seat, but it will guarantee you a place on the train of your choice.

This will mean that all the spaces on that train have already been reserved. You will not be able to buy an advance ticket for that service. You will be able to buy an anytime travel ticket, but you are not guaranteed a place on a specific train. Please consider travelling on another service.

A queuing system will be in place at both Nottingham and Skegness stations. A ‘fast-track’ queue, for customers who have a pre-booked ticket for a specific train and a separate queue for customers who have purchased on the day.

Anyone who decides to not pre-book a ticket / decide to travel on the day, will be asked to join the ‘paid on the day’ queue, if there is space available on the train after all the pre-booked customers have boarded, then you can board the train.

If there isn’t any space, customers can choose to wait for the next train to see if there is space available, or they can travel to Grantham on another service and change there for a rail replacement bus to Skegness or Butlins.

Between 9 July 23 and 9 September 2023, you will be able to book a place on the train but will not get a specific seat reservation.

Advance tickets are available to buy from up to 12 weeks in advance. You can check what Advance ticket dates have been released here. If your date isn’t yet released, you can sign up for a ticket alert and we will send you an email when your date is available to book. Find out more about Advance tickets.

If you hold a season ticket and will be travelling from Nottingham or Skegness, you will be able to join the Fast Track queue and do not need to book a space. If travelling from the stations in between, you will be able to join the train as normal.

Customers will be able to book their space on the train between 9 July - 9 September 23.

If you’re travelling with children under 5, they’re completely free when accompanied by fare-paying parent or guardian.

Yes, there will also be a number of Skegness Summer Special services which will depart from Derby on Saturdays between 9 July - 9 September 23.

Tickets are on sale now.

Luggage guidance

To ensure your holiday starts as smoothly as possible, please familiarise yourself with the luggage guidance below

As space is limited on trains, we recommend bringing only one bag per person to ensure it can be safely stowed on board.

Smaller bags can be stowed in the luggage racks above your head (maximum size 55cm(h) x 40cm(w) x 20cm).

Holdalls can be stored between the sets of seats. Larger bags will need to be placed in the main luggage racks in each carriage.

To help customers travel smoothly, we are offering customers the option to pick up free vacuum packs, which can be used to shrink the space taken up by their luggage, meaning more space for everyone on board.

Contact our Customer Relations Team here, phone us on 03457 125 678 or email [email protected] to order your free pack.

You will be asked to provide the following details:

  • Postal address
  • Date you intend to travel
  • Quantity required

Arriving at the station

We advise that you arrive at the station at least 30 minutes prior to your pre-booked train departure time.

There will be a dedicated service team available in branded Skegness Summer uniform at Nottingham, Grantham and Skegness stations, who will be able to help with any assistance needed upon arrival.

To help manage demand, we will be operating a queuing system at both Nottingham and Skegness stations – one for those who have booked in advance and have reserved a space on a service, this is the Fast-Track queue - and one for those who have paid on the day and have an Off-Peak or Anytime ticket.

Our friendly and helpful staff will be able to guide you to the right queue and support you if you don’t have a reservation.

We’re committed to providing the support you may need to enjoy a safe and comfortable journey. We can assist you with:

  • Planning your journey, including information about train services around the UK
  • Sharing information about onward modes of transport
  • Selecting the most appropriate tickets for your journey
  • Claiming any fare reductions you’re entitled to
  • Arranging help to get on and off trains and at stations, including assisting with your luggage
  • Helping you transfer between different trains and/ or buses

Find out more information about booking assistance.

The busiest days are Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. On these days, the busiest time to travel is between 0700 – 1300 in both directions.

Travelling from a station that isn’t Nottingham or Skegness

Not everyone travelling to Skegness will be boarding the train at Nottingham.

The information below will help you plan your journey from the intermediate stations or if you are a commuter that travels along this route.

When travelling on a Monday, Friday, and Saturday, you will be directed to a rail replacement bus service.

  • A bus service will from Grantham – Butlins / Ingoldmells – Skegness
  • A bus service will run from Skegness – Grantham only

Services are expected to be busy departing Nottingham and Skegness but will not be at full capacity.

If you commute between these intermediate stations, then it is advised you book your space on the specific train you require to guarantee a space.

Alternatively, a rail replacement bus service will be available on Fridays and Saturdays and will run as follows:

  • Sleaford - Boston – Butlins / Ingoldmells - Skegness

Services are expected to be busy departing Nottingham and Skegness but will not be at full capacity.

If you commute between these intermediate stations, then it is advised you book your space on the specific train you require to guarantee a space.

The journey times are roughly the same on the rail replacement bus and on the train, so you should reach your destination at a similar time.

Yes, our friendly and helpful staff will be there to provide help and support where required.

On board our trains

Once you are on board the train, you can choose to sit in any free seat available, but first you will need to find a space to store your luggage.

See information below to help where to store your suitcase or bag.

Smaller bags can be stowed in the luggage racks above your head (maximum size 55cm(h) x 40cm(w) x 20cm).

Holdalls can be stored between the sets of seats. Larger bags will need to be placed in the main luggage racks in each carriage.

You must fold down your pushchair prior to boarding and store it in one of the dedicated luggage areas.

Coming home

We are encouraging you to book your tickets in advance to guarantee a space on the return part of your journey too.

Yes, please ensure you have pre-booked your return ticket and keep any vacuum bags safe for use again on the journey home.