It depends on the officer. They WILL fine you and give you a criminal charge if they feel like it. I know someone whose daughter couldn't go into teaching because she had a ticket evasion criminal offence. Travelling without a ticket If you travel on a train without a ticket, you will be liable to pay the full single fare or full return fare or, if appropriate, a penalty fare for your journey. Examples of when a penalty fare may be charged, if a passenger: travels without a valid ticket; is unable to produce an appropriate railcard on a discounted ticket; travels in first class accommodation with a standard ticket; is aged 16 or over, travelling on a child rate ticket; travels beyond the destination of their ticket.