Save Money On Train Tickets
It can be really expensive when you want to get the train back home or to visit a friend. So I have compiled a list of six top tips that will minimise this cost and save you money.
Photo by wili_hybrid
1. Always Book in Advance
The earlier you book the cheaper your train fare will usually be and by booking in advance you will guarantee yourself a seat. The optimum time to book is about 12 weeks before your journey, as this is when the train timetables are released. For example, a single train ticket from Leeds to Bristol in 12 weeks time from today would be £15, whereas the same time train in a month from today would be £56.50. However, even if you do not book this far in advance you will still save by booking in advance and you can usually even book as late as 6 pm the evening before your journey.
2. Buying a Young Persons Railcard
If you spend over £72 a year on rail travel you should definitely get a student railcard, which you can order easily online from the website Young Persons Railcard. They cost £24 and give you a 1/3 off rail travel for one year. However, if you spend less than £72 a year on rail travel, then do not purchase one, as will not save you any money.
3. Check if Single Tickets are Cheaper
When using sites like National Rail and The Trainline to buy your train tickets (they’re all pretty much the same sites) you should always check if you want a return journey whether it is cheaper to buy two singles. However, it is not always cheaper.
4. Check if Shorter Journeys are Cheaper
It may be cheaper if you break up your journeys. For example if your travelling from Edinburgh to Bournemouth, it may be cheaper to buy a ticket first to New Street and then from New Street to Bournemouth. However, again this may not always be the case, but when it is, the savings can be big.
5. Be Flexible
Prices can vary a lot depending on the time that you want to travel. Therefore, you should always check (if you do not have to travel at a specific time) which time is the cheapest by looking around your intended time of travel.
6. Check for Cheaper Alternatives
It can often be cheaper to travel by coach using coach travel companies such as National Express and Megabus. For example, if you wanted to travel in a month from today from Edinburgh to London it would cost you £37 by train, but only £15 if you travelled by National Express coach and just £10.50 if you travelled by Megabus. However, the train journey would be just 4 hours and 35 minutes, whereas the coach journey would take 9 hours and 45 minutes. Therefore, you would have to decide whether the cheaper price would be worth the extra journey time.
If you live a long distance from your destination it may even be cheaper to fly with cheap airlines such as Air Southwest and Flybe, however when flying you also have to take into account the cost of getting to the airports E.g. Taxi fares.
Finally it may be cheaper to drive if you have a car at university; however this is not always the case.
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Big savings to be had if you book well in advance and check for cheaper alternatives
4 Comments... add one below
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50% Off Young Persons Railcard
March 29, 2008 11:35 am
[...] For more tips on saving on train travel see the post Save Money On Train Tickets. [...]
Share Lifts and Save Money
April 2, 2008 5:22 pm
[...] could just share lifts with your friends, or travel by bus or train depending on your [...]
July 22, 2008 3:47 pm
Great article! Of course when things come up unexpectedly it’s not always possible to book in advance. Walk-on tickets can be *seven times* the price of advance tickets, and that’s for off-peak travel. Campaign for Better Transport is campaigning to make walk-on fares affordable. Email your MP at http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/take_action.
50 Quick Student Money Saving Tips
July 24, 2008 5:33 pm
[...] 48. Book train tickets early-ideally 12 weeks before you travel. Check out Save Money On Train Tickets. [...]