Finding cheap train tickets in the UK isn’t easy, with prices notoriously high, here’s what you can do to travel on the cheapest trains possible.
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert has shared the best way to find cheap trains in the UK and these tips can really help you scale back the cost.
Make sure to book weeks in advance where possible which can really help you find tickets at a lower cost. Experts suggest to look 12 weeks in advance which is when prices will be most affordable.
If you don’t have 12 weeks before you need to travel then you should look to book as soon as possible as this is when prices will be cheapest.
If you’re a part-time commuter, you could save £100s per year by having a flexible season ticket.
These tickets allow you to travel as a day return on any eight days in a 28-day period using a paperless ticket via a smartcard or phone. But, according to Money Saving Expert, if you’re not using this type of ticket as a part-time commuter, you could actually end up worse off.
On the Trainline app, you can find out when ticket prices are expected to jump – this tool is available on iOS and Android. This feature can predict how much fares will increase by or when they are likely to sell out.
One tip which can save you a significant amount of money is to use split tickets. You can buy tickets for your journey in parts which can slash the price, even though you’re on exactly the same train. The only catch is that you have to make sure you pick a route which passes through specified stations.
If you’re a frequent train traveller, it’s definitely worth getting a railcard. Most railcards cost around £30 per year and can save you a third on fares.
You can also claim some money back if your train is delayed or cancelled. The delay repay feature means that if your train is 15 minutes or more late then you’re eligible for a partial refund.
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