Ticket FAQs
Admission tickets and getting to the museum
It's a good idea to book free tickets in advance online to save time when you arrive at the museum. Just scan your tickets when you get here and you're done.
Booking in advance also guarantees your entry to the museum on busier days, such as during school holidays.
If you are unable to book online, you can book by calling our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058.
Tickets are available to book online. If you are unable to book online, please call us on 033 0058 0058.
You will receive your ticket by email or you can log into your account. You will need to bring this with you, either on a mobile device or a print-out, as it will have a bar code that needs to be scanned on arrival.
You will receive your tickets by email which you will need to bring with along with you, either on a mobile device or as a print-out. As part of our commitment to sustainability we are asking that you avoid printing tickets where possible.
The tickets will have a barcode that will be scanned by a contactless scanner on arrival at the museum.
If you are unable to find the email, you can log into your account on a mobile device and access your tickets from there. If you don’t have an account, please speak to our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058.
We can’t guarantee that tickets will be available on the day, particularly during busy periods, so we recommend you book tickets online or via the booking team on 033 0058 0058 to avoid disappointment.
We will do our best to accommodate latecomers, however if we’ve reached capacity for the time slot that you have booked, you will be asked to wait until the next available timeslot or book again for another time.
Yes. All advance ticket bookers will receive a pre-visit email with helpful information about how to have a safe and enjoyable day out at our museum.
Visitors should receive this at least 24 hours before their visit. If not please check your spam folder and make sure we’re marked as a safe sender.
We recommend that you set aside an hour and half for your visit (90 minutes), but of course you are welcome to stay longer.
Signs outside the museum will tell you what to expect, and there will be clear signage showing you where to go.
Please ensure you have your ticket with you, preferably on your smart device, as you will be asked to scan this on entry.
You will also receive a pre-visit email with full information.
The National Railway Museum is easy to reach by train, car, bus, bike or on foot.
See our travel information page for further details.
Please note we are now using a new entrance.
If you can’t make it, please either contact us so we can process any refunds due and release your tickets for someone else to use, or alternatively log in to your account online.
You can reach us on 033 0058 0058 (lines open Monday–Friday, 09.00–17.00). Alternatively, email us at info@ScienceMuseumGroup.ac.uk.
Our phone lines can get very busy so please submit a return request for free tickets up until 08.30 on the day of your visit. You are welcome to book new tickets for another day online.
Please note that donations, including those made as part of your booking, are non-refundable. Your support large or small will make a huge difference—thank you.
If you would like to move your paid tickets to a different day please call our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058. Our phones lines can get very busy so please bear with us.
If you would be happy to donate the value of your tickets to the museum, please email our Contact Centre at info@ScienceMuseumGroup.ac.uk with your name and order number.
Please note that donations, including those made as part of your booking, are non-refundable. Your support large or small will make a huge difference—thank you.
If you are unable to find the email, you can log into your account on a mobile device and access your tickets from there. If you don’t have an account, please speak to our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058.
Offering free admission tickets allows us manage the number of visitors in the museum and provide everyone with an enjoyable day out. We would encourage you to Login or create a new account so that we can email you with helpful information in advance of your visit. You can read our Privacy Policy here.
There is no requirement to book in advance and you can still enter the museum at any time when we are not at capacity, without providing any personal data or having a pre-booked ticket.
