Great Northern
Great Northern links London King's Cross and Moorgate with Cambridge, King's Lynn and Peterborough on the southern East Coast Main Line.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Official website
- Official website
- Train tickets
- Direct
Great Northern is one of four separate customer facing brands run by Govia Thameslink Railway, alongside Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express.
Where Great Northern runs
Services run on the southern side of the East Coast Main Line, linking London King's Cross and Moorgate with Cambridge, Peterborough and King's Lynn, and calling at stations across Greater London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk along the way.
Tickets and fares
Great Northern sells Advance, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak and Anytime fares, plus a First Class option with a plug socket and a quieter carriage. Advance tickets, booked ahead of a specific train, can be up to a third cheaper with most Railcards, though not with a Network Railcard. Season tickets cover unlimited travel between chosen stations for a fixed period and come with a Goldcard for annual holders, while Flexi-Season gives eight days of travel within a 28 day window on the same route. A Carnet book of pre-purchased single tickets saves 10% and stays valid for three months.
Smart and contactless travel
The Key Smartcard replaces paper tickets, and Pay as you go works through keyGo, Oyster and contactless cards, with fares calculated automatically as passengers tap in and out and Railcard discounts applied where eligible.
Students and families
Students at a school or college in Cambridgeshire can apply free for a Student Connect card, covering unlimited travel within the county. Children aged 5 to 15 can get a flat £2 fare on most journeys, and under 5s travel free with a fare-paying adult.
Bus connections
Bus links sold through the PlusBus scheme extend a rail ticket to cover onward bus travel beyond the National Rail network.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Buy direct from Great Northern
Great Northern
Frequently asked questions
Where does Great Northern run?
Great Northern runs on the southern end of the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Moorgate, reaching Cambridge, Peterborough and King's Lynn through Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Can I get a discount with a Railcard on Advance tickets?
Most Railcards give a third off Advance fares, though Network Railcards are excluded.
Is there a smartcard for regular travel?
The Key Smartcard works as an alternative to paper tickets, and Pay as you go with keyGo, Oyster or a contactless card is also accepted.
What ticket options exist for children?
Children aged 5 to 15 can get a flat £2 fare on most journeys, and children under 5 travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
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Official website
