How to save money on train tickets
Posted: 08 Sep 2008, 17:37So, what are my TOP TEN tips for getting cheap train fares?
BUY A RAILCARD.
If you live in the SouthEast, and don't qualify for any other railcard, get a Network Railcard, as these are available to anyone in that area. These offer discounts of up to 34% for off-peak train travel in the SouthEast, (a minimum fare of 10.00 per person applies, Monday - Fridays.)
Railcards are available for families, students, young persons, disabled travellers, HM Forces and Senior Citizens. They offer automatic discounts and it is often easier to get availability on the very lowest fares if you have one.
CHECK WHO YOUR TRAIN COMPANY IS
Don't just accept the fare the website offers. Click on the times, and it will show you the name of the train operator. Often it is better to go directly to that company's website, as there could be additional special offers. This is particularly important if your journey doesn't require a change of trains.
***Avoid using third party websites if possible - such as The Trainline, RailEasy etc. That's because they charge booking and payment card fees
CHANGE OF TRAIN? TRY SPLITTING THE FARE
If the first leg of your journey is just a short hop from your local station to catch the main service, it may work out better to buy that ticket separately.
If your journey has several changes, there can be savings to be had doing it this way, but remember you then lose your right to a guaranteed connection so any delays could cause real problems.
DIRECT TRAIN? TRY SPLITTING THE FARE
Find out where your train stops, and then try buying a ticket from your origin to an intermediate stop, then from the intermediate stop to your destination.
For reasons too complex to go into here, there can be savings. Your train must go through the place where your split fare is, even if it doesn't stop there.
BOOK IN ADVANCE
The cheapest fares generally sell out far in advance, book ahead!
On the fares display, there will be an option to check for single journeys, and often these will work out cheaper.
DON'T FORGET THE HUMBLE SAVER TICKET
The Saver Return ticket is great. It's a cheap fare, but can be bought on the day, for off peak travel. It has far less restrictions than the Advance Purchase style tickets, and for some journeys the difference in price is worth it for the extra flexibility.
SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to every train companies newsletters, and you'll get news of the best special offers first, and some really special deals that won't be publicly announced.
DON'T ALWAYS TRUST THE WEBSITE
***Even if the website shows 'sold out' on a special offer - phone the train operator's own reservations office or go to the station, as they distribute some of the cheap fares specifically to be sold at the station***
AVOID WEEKENDS
Engineering works means that train companies very often do not know what kind of service they will be able to operate at weekends, so they will rarely release cheap tickets for travel which may involve a rail replacement bus. If you have tried the previous 8 suggestions, and you still can't get a cheaper ticket, this is the train company subtly encouraging you to go elsewhere. And it will mean you'll avoid sitting in traffic for half a day...
DON'T BUY THE DAILY MAIL
Yes, they sometimes have vouchers for cheap train tickets, but seriously, do you really want them knowing your details? Really?
But do check your local newspaper as they sometimes will have similar offers.
BUY A RAILCARD.
If you live in the SouthEast, and don't qualify for any other railcard, get a Network Railcard, as these are available to anyone in that area. These offer discounts of up to 34% for off-peak train travel in the SouthEast, (a minimum fare of 10.00 per person applies, Monday - Fridays.)
Railcards are available for families, students, young persons, disabled travellers, HM Forces and Senior Citizens. They offer automatic discounts and it is often easier to get availability on the very lowest fares if you have one.
CHECK WHO YOUR TRAIN COMPANY IS
Don't just accept the fare the website offers. Click on the times, and it will show you the name of the train operator. Often it is better to go directly to that company's website, as there could be additional special offers. This is particularly important if your journey doesn't require a change of trains.
***Avoid using third party websites if possible - such as The Trainline, RailEasy etc. That's because they charge booking and payment card fees
CHANGE OF TRAIN? TRY SPLITTING THE FARE
If the first leg of your journey is just a short hop from your local station to catch the main service, it may work out better to buy that ticket separately.
If your journey has several changes, there can be savings to be had doing it this way, but remember you then lose your right to a guaranteed connection so any delays could cause real problems.
DIRECT TRAIN? TRY SPLITTING THE FARE
Find out where your train stops, and then try buying a ticket from your origin to an intermediate stop, then from the intermediate stop to your destination.
For reasons too complex to go into here, there can be savings. Your train must go through the place where your split fare is, even if it doesn't stop there.
BOOK IN ADVANCE
The cheapest fares generally sell out far in advance, book ahead!
On the fares display, there will be an option to check for single journeys, and often these will work out cheaper.
DON'T FORGET THE HUMBLE SAVER TICKET
The Saver Return ticket is great. It's a cheap fare, but can be bought on the day, for off peak travel. It has far less restrictions than the Advance Purchase style tickets, and for some journeys the difference in price is worth it for the extra flexibility.
SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to every train companies newsletters, and you'll get news of the best special offers first, and some really special deals that won't be publicly announced.
DON'T ALWAYS TRUST THE WEBSITE
***Even if the website shows 'sold out' on a special offer - phone the train operator's own reservations office or go to the station, as they distribute some of the cheap fares specifically to be sold at the station***
AVOID WEEKENDS
Engineering works means that train companies very often do not know what kind of service they will be able to operate at weekends, so they will rarely release cheap tickets for travel which may involve a rail replacement bus. If you have tried the previous 8 suggestions, and you still can't get a cheaper ticket, this is the train company subtly encouraging you to go elsewhere. And it will mean you'll avoid sitting in traffic for half a day...
DON'T BUY THE DAILY MAIL
Yes, they sometimes have vouchers for cheap train tickets, but seriously, do you really want them knowing your details? Really?
But do check your local newspaper as they sometimes will have similar offers.