Skip the queue with digital train tickets
An e-ticket, or digital train ticket, is ideal if you’d like less queuing time at the station. We’ll send it to you as a PDF on email or via our EMR App, so that you can print it out yourself, or simply display it on your mobile device for inspection.
So next time you’re in a hurry, opt for a digital train ticket and save time on your next travel plans.
What is a Digital Train Ticket?
An e-ticket is an electronic ticket that can be purchased online and received as a PDF file via email, containing a QR code to be scanned. Digital tickets include the same information as a paper ticket.
Choose an e-ticket when booking for a paperless train journey with EMR and scan them directly from your phone, as there is no need to print them. E-tickets are available for most EMR routes, but they are not available for journeys that include travel on the London underground.
If you book a return trip, you'll receive two tickets attached to your e-ticket email. These tickets are labelled "OUT" and "RTN" to indicate which ticket applies to which part of the journey. Additionally, if you book e-tickets for multiple passengers, you'll notice that they are distinguished as Adult or Child tickets, along with the type of railcard used (if any).
Why Use E-Tickets?
Digital train tickets offer several benefits compared to traditional paper tickets.
- Firstly, they are more convenient as they can be easily purchased, stored, and accessed on your smartphone or other digital devices.
- Save time, with no need to visit a physical ticket office or wait for tickets to be delivered by post.
- Digital tickets also reduce the risk of losing or forgetting paper tickets, as they are securely stored in your digital wallet or email.
- Digital train tickets are environmentally friendly, as they help to reduce paper usage and waste.
- They also provide greater flexibility, as passengers can easily access their tickets at any time without worrying about carrying physical copies.
- Digital tickets can often be easily exchanged or refunded online, providing added convenience for travellers.
How to Book an E-Ticket
When booking a ticket online or through our app, select the 'e-ticket' delivery option. Once your purchase is complete, PDF files of your tickets will be emailed to you.
When traveling, you can open the PDF on your mobile device or print the e-ticket.
Alternatively, you can download our app and store your e-tickets there for convenience.
Here is a step-by-step for how to book an electronic ticket with EMR:
- Choose ‘e-ticket’ as the delivery option when booking your ticket online or from our app
- PDF files of your tickets will be emailed to you once your purchase is complete
- When you’re travelling, just open the PDF attachment on your mobile device when needed. You might find it useful to download it first, so you can get to it easily
- Alternatively, you can print your e-ticket and carry it with you
- You could also download our app , and keep your e-tickets on there
How to use an E-Ticket
You can purchase an e-ticket online and show it as a PDF to be scanned when travelling in two ways.
- We'll send you an email with your e-ticket as a PDF which you can print at home before your journey or use on a mobile device.
- You can view and scan your e-ticket within the EMR app. If you have our app (iOS and Android), they will be available within the My Tickets section, so they're easily accessible when you need them.
Please note: You can't collect e-tickets at the station.
At some stations the ticket gates have scanners where you can scan the barcode on your e-ticket. If the ticket gate doesn't have a scanner, show your e-ticket to a member of staff at the barrier. On the train, just show your e-ticket to our on-board staff. They may do a visual check or scan the barcode on the ticket.
Tips for Scanning E-tickets at the Station
Here are some tips to remember next time you need to scan an train e-ticket at the station.
- If the ticket gate doesn’t have a scanner, just show your e-ticket to a member of staff
- If your phone battery runs out and you can’t display your ticket, you’ll need to buy a new ticket
- You’ll receive two tickets if you book a return trip. They’ll be marked with OUT or RTN so you know which is which
- Tickets clearly state whether they are for an adult or child and mention any railcards used, so multiple ticket bookings are simple
For more top tips on how to use an e-ticket, please watch our handy videos
Digital Train Ticket FAQs
When you travel by train with an e-ticket, you simply need to scan the QR code at the station. We will have sent you an email with your e-ticket as a PDF containing a QR code. You can print this at home before your journey or use it on a mobile device (but you can't collect e-tickets at the station).
When you travel, you can show the PDF tickets on your phone or the printed copy. If you have our app (available for iOS and Android), the tickets will be available within the My Tickets section of the app, making them easily accessible when you need them.
At some stations, the ticket gates have scanners where you can scan the barcode on your e-ticket. If the ticket gate doesn't have a scanner, show your e-ticket to a member of staff at the barrier.
On the train, simply show your e-ticket to our on-board staff. They may do a visual check or scan the barcode on the ticket.
You can use digital tickets for most UK train journeys. While some stations may not have ticket gates for scanning your phone, you can always show a member of staff instead and they will let you through.
Kindly note that electronic train tickets cannot be used for travel on London Underground services, even if a paper ticket for the same journey would be accepted. This restriction applies to all journeys involving a transfer across London on London Underground services.
If your phone battery dies and you can't show your digital rail ticket, you’ll need to buy a new ticket at the full fare. If you don’t or are unable to, you may be issued with a penalty fare. No refunds are available for tickets you are unable to produce at time of travel, and we can't issue duplicates.
You can have your digital e-ticket on multiple devices at once, you just need to be able to open the PDF attachment from your email. Present your e-ticket for inspection and scanning in any one or more of the following ways:
Open the e-ticket PDF attachment from your email and show the ticket on your mobile device
Print the e-ticket before you travel and show a paper copy
Download the e-ticket and save it to your ticket wallet on the EMR app.
No, we don't charge any ticket booking fees. Depending on your mobile contract, you may be subject to data charges for using the internet. If you’re unsure, speak to your network provider.
You can change the date or apply for a refund on Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak e-tickets, as per the restrictions on a paper ticket and subject to a £5 admin fee.
You can change the time, date or class of an Advance e-ticket. You'll need to pay any increase in fare plus the £10 charge for each ticket. If the new fare is cheaper, you’ll just need to pay the £10, and you won’t be refunded the difference. You can't get a refund on Advance fares, unless you were unable to travel because your train was delayed or cancelled.
To make changes, call us on 03457 125 678 (option 2, 1). Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There's a £10 charge for each ticket for changes or refunds.
If your journey was delayed by 15 minutes or more, you could be entitled to compensation through our Delay Repay scheme .
Make a Delay Repay claim online and upload a screenshot of your digital e-ticket, plus your booking reference if you have it. Alternatively, you can print out your e-ticket and post it with a paper claim form.
If you’re unable to supply your e-ticket or proof of travel, call us on 03457 125 678 or drop us a line on X at @eastmidrailway . We're here 24/7.
Yes, you can use your railcard as you would with the equivalent paper ticket.
Please remember to have your Railcard to hand, alongside your discounted eTicket, for inspections, as otherwise you may be issued with a penalty fine
Yes, if they're available you'll be offered the chance to reserve a seat when you buy your digital train ticket. Reservations can usually be made up to midnight the day prior to travel.
Yes, you'll receive an email confirmation with your e-ticket attached as a PDF.
Your digital train tickets will arrive as a separate email from your booking confirmation. Please check your junk mail to ensure they haven’t been placed in there by mistake.
You can access your e-tickets through your online account, where you can print or download them.
If you’re still having issues, please contact us.
Don't worry, you can open and show your train e-ticket PDF directly from the email, or print it off and bring it with you when you travel.
Your phone provider should be able to help if you continue to have problems downloading apps. In the first instance though, check that your phone isn’t just set to download new apps through WiFi only.
You need a data signal to download the e-ticket but once downloaded, you don't need a signal to show it on your phone or in the app. You can also print a copy of your electronic -ticket to use as a back up.
The same rules as losing a paper ticket apply. You’ll need to buy a new ticket if you can't show your e-ticket when you travel. If you don’t or are unable to, you may be issued with a penalty fare. Find out more in the National Rail Conditions of Travel
Show your e-ticket to our staff for visual inspection. If it’s cracked to the point that your ticket can’t be read or scanned, you may have to buy a new ticket. You can also print a copy of your digital e-ticket to use as a back up.
Yes, digital e-tickets can be added to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet making it easier to scan your tickets at the station.
When traveling as a group with e-tickets, the lead passenger can forward the PDF attachments for individual use. Remember, if you have a group train ticket, all members must travel together. Mobile Tickets are available only in the lead passenger’s app and cannot be share