Off-peak rail tickets

sunsetboulevard

Can someone please explain to me what 'peak' and 'off-peak' means with regards to train travel?

I have several trips over the next few months which will require me to travel from Epsom to Brighton and stay down in Brighton for a couple of nights each time. I've only travelled by train a few times over the last 30 years so am really confused.

Does 'peak' travel refer to the busy period when everybody is commuting to work in the morning? Say, for instance, up until 9.30 am or 10 am?

Is there also a similar 'peak' thing late afternoon say, 4.30 pm to 7.00 pm when everybody comes home from work or have I got the afternoon one wrong?

It's just that the tickets I want to buy will be off-peak ones due to cost so I'm just trying to work out what trains I can travel on. I don't want a ticket inspector getting on and fining me.

Thanks.

daveyjp

All train companies are different. You need to research the times for whichever services you intend taking.

Even then its a minefield and ticket inspectors don’t know all the rules and restrictions for every combination of tickets and operators.

If you are taking two different train companies it can get very interesting as restrictions on one may not apply if you use another service provider as part of your trip!

Ukrail forums may be able to help with specifics.

elverson

Peak times depend on the ticket, not the train.

What is the price of the off peak ticket you have found? Is it between Epsom and Brighton?