How to Save Money on Train Travel in the UK

1. Book in Advance

Booking train tickets in advance can save you a significant amount compared to buying tickets on the day of travel.

How to Find Advance Tickets:

• National Rail Enquiries – Check for advance ticket availability.
• Trainline – Offers notifications on when advance fares are released.
• Train Operator Websites – Sometimes offer exclusive discounts.

How Much Can You Save?

• Advance tickets can be 50-60% cheaper than on-the-day prices.
• Some routes release tickets up to 12 weeks in advance.
• Even booking a few days ahead can save you money.

2. Get a Railcard

Railcards provide discounts on train fares and are a great investment if you travel frequently.

Popular Railcards:

• 16-25 Railcard – 1/3 off fares for students and young adults (£30 per year).
• 26-30 Railcard – 1/3 off fares for young professionals (£30 per year).
• Family & Friends Railcard – 1/3 off for adults and 60% off for kids (£30 per year).
• Two Together Railcard – 1/3 off fares when travelling with the same person (£30 per year).
• Senior Railcard – 1/3 off fares for over 60s (£30 per year).
• Disabled Persons Railcard – 1/3 off fares (£20 per year).

How Much Can You Save?

• A railcard can pay for itself in just a few trips.
• Discounts apply to both peak and off-peak travel.

3. Travel Off-Peak

Travelling outside of peak hours can drastically reduce ticket prices.

When to Travel Off-Peak:

• Avoid rush hours (typically 6:30–9:30 AM and 4:00–7:00 PM).
• Travel after 9:30 AM on weekdays for lower fares.
• Use Super Off-Peak tickets for even bigger savings.

4. Split Your Ticket

Buying separate tickets for different sections of your journey (instead of one through-ticket) can sometimes be cheaper.

How to Find Split Ticket Savings:

• Split My Fare – Calculates the cheapest split ticket combinations.
• Trainline SplitSave – Finds split ticket options for you.
• Railway Operator Websites – Some provide split ticketing tools.

Example Savings:

• A ticket from London to Manchester could be £50 cheaper if split at a midpoint station like Stoke-on-Trent.

5. Use a Season Ticket for Regular Travel

If you commute regularly, a season ticket can save you money compared to buying daily tickets.

Types of Season Tickets:

• Weekly Season Ticket – Saves money if commuting daily.
• Monthly Season Ticket – More cost-effective for longer periods.
• Annual Season Ticket – The best value if you commute all year.

Additional Benefits:

• Some employers offer season ticket loans to help spread the cost.
• The Annual Gold Card (included with annual tickets) offers extra discounts.

6. Use Train Ticket Cashback & Discount Codes

Many cashback websites and voucher codes can help you save on train travel.

Where to Find Discounts:

• TopCashback & Quidco – Earn cashback on ticket purchases.
• Trainline & National Rail Promotions – Check for promo codes.
• Tesco Clubcard Vouchers – Convert points into rail travel discounts.

7. Consider Alternative Routes or Slower Trains

Direct trains are often more expensive than slower or alternative routes.

Tips for Cheaper Routes:

• Check multiple routes – Changing trains can sometimes be cheaper.
• Use slower trains – Avoiding express services can save money.
• Try different stations – Departing from a different nearby station might reduce costs.

8. Use Contactless or Oyster for London Travel

If you’re travelling within London, using an Oyster card or contactless payment can be cheaper than paper tickets.

How to Save with Oyster:

• Daily & Weekly Capping – You won’t be charged more than a set daily/weekly limit.
• Off-Peak Fares – Automatically applied when travelling outside rush hours.

9. Look for Group Discounts

If you’re travelling with others, group discounts can reduce costs.

Best Group Travel Discounts:

• Groupsave – 3-9 people get 1/3 off fares when travelling together.
• Family & Friends Railcard – Saves money on family trips.
• Split Tickets – Sometimes works out cheaper for groups.

10. Use an Alternative Transport Option

Sometimes, alternative travel options can be cheaper than trains.

Consider:

• Coaches – Megabus and National Express often have low fares.
• Carpooling – Apps like BlaBlaCar can be a budget-friendly alternative.
• Domestic Flights – Some long-distance routes are actually cheaper by air.

Conclusion

Travelling by train in the UK doesn’t have to break the bank. By booking in advance, using railcards, taking advantage of discounts, and exploring alternative routes, you can significantly reduce the cost of your journey. Whether you’re a daily commuter or an occasional traveller, these tips will help you save money on train travel.