Book Early and Save: Yes
Online Bookings Usually Open: from 12 weeks ahead of the travel date (usually)
ScotRail now only offers two types of tickets for this journey:
- Book between 12 weeks ahead* and 18:00 (6pm) on the day prior to your travel date and you will be offered cheaper Advance tickets - though Advance tickets cannot be refunded, so it pays off to be absolutely sure of your travel plans pre-booking.
- Book after at 18:00 (6pm) on the day prior to a travel date and you will only be offered the more expensive Anytime tickets
ScotRail takes Advance tickets off sale at 18:00 (6pm) on the day prior to a travel date.
*= This period will be shorter between mid September and the date at which tickets for travel after the second Sunday will become available.
The new timetable will commence on the second Sunday in December and tickets can't be placed on sale until it's details are confirmed.
Booking a return journey
Advance tickets can only be used on the specific departure selected when booking, so if you know that you will need to be in Dundee by a specific time and date, but want to be flexible on your return trip trip, it's best to make two separate bookings.
You will save money and and avoid restrictions around refunds if you book your outward journey as soon as its date is confirmed, but then book an Advance ticket for your return journey at a later date.
You can book a cheaper Advance ticket for your return up until 8:00 (6pm) on the day prior to your return date.
Though the cheapest and least flexible option is to book two Advance tickets for each direction at the earliest opportunity.
Choosing a departure
There can be significant differences in prices of Advance tickets between departures, the cheapest ticket prices inevitably sell out faster on the most popular trains.
So it can be possible to save money by looking through the departures and selecting an earlier or later train.
Also be aware that Advance tickets can sell out completely more than a couple of days ahead on the most popular trains.
Booking at the station
If you will be booking at the station on the travel date, you will have to purchase non-discounted Anytime tickets; with Anytime tickets being the most expensive of all.
Seat Reservations
When booking Advance tickets specific seats will automatically be assigned, but when booking Anytime tickets you will be given an easy option to add a reservation when booking online.
Or if when booking Anytime tickets you don't yet know which specific train you will want to travel by, you can arrange a seat reservation free of charge later, either at a station, or by calling ScotRail’s Customer Relations team on 0344 811 0141, selecting Option 3.
However, reservations at stations need to be arranged a couple of hours prior to departure.
These methods of booking reservations also apply if you will be using a rail pass, you can drop in at a ticket office and arrange seat reservations, at no extra charge, or call that number.
Bike Reservations
You can also a complimentary bike reservation when booking tickets on the ScotRail website.
Offers and deals
ScotRail offers ticketing deals when Adults travel with children or in groups, so when booking online it's worth checking to confirm whether the total price being charged is inclusive of these deals
Or you can book these deals at a station ticket office, if Advance tickets are available the booking clerk will ask if that's your preference - though be aware that Advance deals can't be refunded if one or more members of a party subsequently can't make the trip.
If you do opt to book these deals at the stati
