Train fares: 9 tips to save money on rail travel as prices rise

Prices for train journeys have been going up in 2023 (Picture: EPA/ANDY RAIN)

It’s no big secret that rail travel in the UK is notoriously expensive.

Unfortunately, this is set to continue to be the case, with prices rising further in 2023.

Rail fares increased by around 5.9% on Sunday (March 5), the biggest increase in a decade, and another blow to those struggling with the cost of living crisis.

But whether it’s essential for work, an eco-conscious decision, or you simply love exploring different parts of the country by rail – many of us still need to use trains.

That begs the question: is there a way to ride the railway without putting a dent in your wallet?

Well, there’s no magic solution for exceedingly cheap rail travel, especially if you need to make a last-minute journey.

However, there are some discounts available and a few unexpected savings to be made – if you’re willing to work for them.

Here are some steps you can take to get cheaper train tickets…

How to get cheap train tickets in the UK

It’s worth buying an advance ticket if you can (Picture: Getty)

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to securing cheap rail tickets in the UK, there are a few strategies you can try in order to reduce the overall price.

Book early

Usually, train tickets for journeys in England, Wales, and Scotland are released 12 weeks in advance.

And, yep, this is the best time to buy them. The Trainline says that early birds can expect to save an average of up to 61%.

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If you’re making a journey in the future, and you’ve got the flexibility to book ahead, it’s almost always worth doing.

The earlier the better, really, as cheaper advance fairs are snapped up quickly by savvy travellers and commuters.

Buy off-peak tickets for the best prices

For the lowest possible price, an advance ticket is best.

However, you’ll also want to travel at an off-peak time, which is essentially any weekday after 9am (or 9.30am, depending on the train operator), until around 4pm.

After 7pm, it’s also considered off-peak time, after the big rush of commuters trying to get home.

Happily, Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays are considered off-peak all day long – so if you’re travelling on a weekend, you can benefit from slightly cheaper fares.

Save up to a third with a railcard

There are nine different types of railcards that are valid across the country, which help you save a good chunk on ticket costs.

If you’re a young person (under 30), part of a couple/family/group who travels via train together often, a train passenger who mostly travels around London, or are an older person (over 60), then there’s a railcard for you.

The current options are:

16 – 17 Saver Railcard: Teenagers aged 16 or 17 can save as much as 50% on their rail tickets, with this special Saver railcard.

Youngsters should start on the Saver card, if they can, before moving on to the 16 – 25 railcard.

Who can save with a railcard? (Picture: Getty)

16 – 25 Railcard: Young people are able to take advantage of cheaper rail fares, getting one-third off standard ticket prices, for just £30 per year.

26 – 30 Railcard: People aged 26 to 30 years old can continue the benefit of the previous railcard, with a discount of one-third off train tickets.

Two Together Railcard: This digital-only railcard is available to a couple – or a pair of friends, flatmates, or colleagues – who regularly travel on the same service at the same time.

It costs £30 per year, so just £15 each. Alas, it’s only for joint journeys, so you can’t use it when you both make separate train trips.

Family & Friends Railcard: This railcard is similar to the Two Together option, except it’s for larger families.

Up to four adults travelling with up to four children can take advantage of big savings: one-third off adult ticket prices, with up to 60% off each child ticket.

You can name two adults on the card, so it can be used by one parent, for example, when they’re travelling with a bunch of kids. It costs £30 a year, and can also net you discounts on various family activities.

Visit the Family & Friends railcard website for the full terms and conditions.

Families can save on train tickets with a railcard (Picture: Getty)

Network Railcard: For those travelling in London and South East England, you could save as much as £191 per year (maybe more) on regular train travel with this railcard, at a cost of £30 for one year.

Disabled Persons Railcard: This railcard costs £20 per year, or £45 for three years.

To get this railcard, you’ll need to meet eligibility criteria, such as receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Attendance or Severe Disablement Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

Alternatively, if you have epilepsy, a visual or hearing impairment, or purchase a motorised vehicle through the Motability scheme, you’ll also be entitled to it.

The full list of eligibility criteria is available on the National Rail website.

Veterans Railcard: If you’ve worked in the UK Armed Forces, you might be able to qualify for cheaper train travel.

The railcard costs £30 for a year’s use, but you’ll save one-third on all train tickets. If you travel frequently by train, it’s worth the price.

Railcard can be used when booking online or at a station (Picture: Getty)

But how do you get a railcard? All you have to do is apply online at Railcard’s official website.

The site will typically ask for ID (such as a passport), which acts as proof of age, as well as a passport-size photo of yourself, to be featured on the railcard (so no one else can borrow it, sadly).

The railcard is stored in the Railcard app on your phone – but if you’d rather have a physical card, go to your nearest National Rail train station’s ticket hall to buy one instead. However, some of the cards are online only, so check in advance.

You can use it when booking online, or if you’re booking a ticket at a station.

Travel a lot? Go for a flexi season ticket

Part-time commuters may be able to benefit from recently-introduced flexi tickets.

In June 2021, new season tickets were created, allowing eight days of travel over a 28-day period at a reduced price.

Clearly, it’s aimed at flexible workers, who post-pandemic are able to divide their hours between home and the workplace – rather than trudging into the office five days a week.

Two-days-a-week commuters using the flexible tickets could save on popular journeys like Woking to London, Liverpool to Manchester, and from Stafford to Birmingham.

Try ‘splitting your fare’ if all else fails

While it’s not a guaranteed science, the website Split My Fare says it can save you up to 90% on your rail journey.

This would work by gaming the train booking system, and paying for your journey in chunks.

A random example would be your Newcastle > London journey being booked as Newcastle > Darlington, Darlington > Doncaster, and Doncaster > London.

You’d stay on the same train throughout, but hopefully, you’d get to take advantage of the lower prices between destinations that aren’t too far apart.

Could you save on longer journeys? (Picture: Getty)

If all else fails, it might be worth giving it a go and seeing what prices emerge.

Use voucher codes to get cheaper tickets

Don’t rely on an amazing voucher to get you a cheap ticket. Make sure you take advantage of all of the above.

That said, it can’t hurt to look around for a code or deal when you’re booking a trip. The worst that can happen is that you just don’t find one!

But where should you look? MoneySavingExpert usually lists some valid deals.

VoucherCodes.co.uk and Quidco also list the latest saving offers advertised by the Trainline, too.

Students may also be able to get money off, too, in addition to railcard savings. LNER, for example, has teamed up with UNIDAYS to offer 40% off. Southern Railway has a Unizone ticket for students in Brighton and Woking, offering an even bigger discount.

How to get a cheaper first-class seat? Is it even possible? (Picture: Getty)

Get cheaper first-class seats with Seatfrog

While this trick isn’t going to save you a fortune, it could help if you prefer to travel first class.

Rather than buying a first-class ticket off the bat, wait until your journey nears and then use the Seatfrog app. Type in your journey and make a bid to upgrade your regular ticket.

If you’re lucky, you could nab a nicer seat with more legroom – plus any first-class perks, such as free food and drink – for less.

But also keep an eye out for a first-class steal when you’re first booking your ticket, too.

Very occasionally, a first-class seat will be a few pounds more than a standard class one. It’s rare when it happens, but it does happen from time to time when you book well in advance.

Collect rail rewards to get discounts

When you travel frequently by train, it’s worth collecting any reward points you can.

Some railway lines offer rewards, which can be used to save on future tickets (Picture: Getty)

If they don’t add up to vouchers and discounts on the train tickets themselves, they may well prove useful for something else.

LNER’s perks do add up, allowing you to take money off your journey. You get 2% credit for every £1 you spend.

Avanti West Coast, meanwhile, offers perks and even allows you to build up your Nectar points when you pay for a train ticket.

Great Western Railway also gives you Nectar points – two for every £1 spent, or more for weekly and monthly season tickets.

Southwestern Railway also has a rewards scheme, which appears to be focused more on discounts on shopping, hotels, eating out, and various local activities.

Most train operators will have some kind of system in place, so have a look at your usual line’s website to see what’s on offer.

Make use of ‘delay repay’ schemes, too

Is your train not on time? You could be entitled to some money back (Picture: Getty)

Last but not least: delay repayment schemes can, in a weird way, help you save money on train tickets.

Technically, they just allow you to get some (or all) of your money back when a previous train journey has been seriously delayed.

Most operators have one – including Greater Anglia, LNER, Southern Railway, and many others.

Make sure you claim anytime you’ve been delayed. Sometimes, it’s as easy as pressing a confirmation button (and you might even be emailed about it automatically).

Often, you can get this money paid back into your bank, but there can also be the option to leave it as credit in your account.

While it’s not as good as getting it back to spend, it is awfully handy to have when you come to buy your next ticket…

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