Cheap train tickets Cheap train tickets - five quick tips
Finding cheap train tickets can be a lottery. Which? research helps you get the best deal.
Compensation for train delays varies widely between train companies
1. Get the best ticket type
There are three main ticket types: advance, off-peak and anytime. Here are some key points to be aware of:
Advance
These are all singles and tie you to a particular train, you will not be able to stop off en route (break your journey) and they are non-refundable. So if you miss your train you may have to buy another ticket.
However, they can be very cheap indeed. Watchdog Passenger Focus found that, compared to other European countries, the UK had the cheapest longer distance advance tickets of all.
The National Rail website has a page which shows when advance tickets become available - usually around 12 weeks before travel.
When we tracked the prices of eight advance tickets for 12 weeks, we found advance ticket prices only rose significantly three weeks before travel.
Off-peak
These don't necessarily refer to journeys made at off-peak times, as the same train can be both peak and off-peak - depending on what journey you are making on it.
As a general rule, off-peak tickets do mean travelling at off-peak times. But it's always worth checking.
If the choice is between an advance ticket costing a similar amount to the off-peak one, the off-peak will be the better choice:
- You can buy them in advance, and immediately before travel;
- If your plans change but you're still travelling at off-peak times, you can usually just take a different train;
- Off-peak and super off-peak day tickets are valid until 02.30 the next day;
- They are refundable (sometimes subject to an administration fee);
- Should your plans change and you need a more expensive anytime ticket, you can pay the difference between the two - unlike advance tickets, where you must buy a whole new ticket;
- You're usually allowed to stop off en route - including overnight - on your outward and return journeys, but check with National Rail Enquiries. When you can, travel must resume by noon the next day. This doesn't apply to cross-London transfers.
Anytime
You can travel at anytime and these tickets are usually (but not always) the most expensive. However, they can be cheaper than off-peak tickets and do offer ultimate flexibility - so check what you're getting.
2. Get a railcard
If you are eligible for any of these and make a few train journeys a year (or as little as just one longer distance journey) a railcard will more than pay for itself. Our table covers the most comprehensive, nationally applicable railcards (there are also the lesser-known regional railcards).
It's worth noting that Monday to Friday restrictions don't apply on public holidays. Also, Virgin Trains allows railcard discounts at peak times, unlike other train companies.
| Railcard discounts | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Railcard type | Eligibility | Cost for 1 year | Cost for 3 years | Discounts | Restrictions | Extra features |
| Senior | Those aged 60 or over | £28 | £65 - only available online - a saving of £13 | 1/3 off standard and first class including advance | Not in the morning peak Mon-Fri in London and the South East | n/a |
| Family & Friends | Those with children aged 5-15 | £28 | £65 - only available online - a saving of £13 | 1/3 off standard and first class including advance for adult and 60% off for children aged 5-15, plus discounts on off-peak day travelcards in London | Not in the morning peak Mon-Fri in London and the South East | Can be issued in two names, usable by either - there just needs to be one child travelling |
| 16-25 | Those aged 16-25 or those over 26 in full-time education | £28 | £65 - only available online - a saving of £13, can be purchased up to day before 24th birthday | 1/3 off standard and first class including advance | £12 minimum fare before 10am Mon-Fri (except in July and August) | n/a |
| Disabled Persons | Those with proof of eligibility | £20 | £54 | 1/3 off standard and first class including advance | n/a | Adult companion travelling with you gets same discount; this also applies to all London travel |
| Network | Anyone - but only valid in Network Railcard area* | £28 | n/a | 1/3 off anytime and off-peak tickets, off-peak day travelcards (zones 1-6) and anytime day travelcards (zones 1-9) in the Network Railcard area* | Generally not available before 10am Mon-Fri. £13 minimum fare on all weekday journeys (£1 for children). £5.30 minimum fare on off-peak day travelcards; £15 on anytime day travelcards. No discount on advance, season, first class or Gatwick Express tickets | Up to three adults can travel with you at the same discount, plus up to four children aged 5-15 with 60% off each child fare. Can't be used on Oyster Pay As You Go. |
| Gold | Anyone with an annual season ticket with the origin or issuing and either origin or destination stations are in Network Railcard area* | N/a - free with season ticket | n/a | 1/3 off off-peak day travelcards and 1/3 off tickets after 10am Mon-Fri. This includes Oyster single fares in London and 1/3 off the off-peak daily Oyster price cap | Does not include Gatwick Express, Eurostar, non-travelcard London Underground journeys. Although GC holders can upgrade to first class in a journey not covered by their season ticket for £5 (children £2.50), if they bought their standard ticket with the GC discount, this does not apply before 10am Mon-Fri or 4pm-7pm Mon-Fri | Can be loaded onto Oyster cards that have an annual travelcard. Discounts are as per Network Railcard. When travelling with others, GC holders don't need to buy tickets for themselves if the journey is covered by their season ticket. GC holders can buy a Network Railcard Partner Card for £1 |
Table notes
Network Railcard area (PDF) is mainly London and the South East, but also stretches to some surprising places: Exeter; Weymouth; Worcester
3. Online - buy from train companies direct
Third party websites can and do charge booking and debit or credit card fees, so ignore sites such as Quno, Thetrainline and Raileasy.
Train companies' websites must sell each others' tickets. Some sell their own tickets online at an extra discount - make sure you check the website of the company or companies you will be travelling with.
4. Knowing what to look for online
Here are tips on how to find the cheaper routes or trains in the first place on Nationalrail.co.uk.
Tick the 'include slower trains' box to see cheaper and slower trains:
Ticking the 'include slower trains' box on National Rail Enquiries' homepage will show you cheaper routes
Click the 'advanced search' box:
Clicking on 'Advanced search' brings up various options, including the 'travel via' box - useful if you know of a specific journey you want to make
This brings up the box below where there is a choice of routes. Putting the destination station or a station en route from the alternative route in the 'travel via' box will show cheaper routes. You can also reduce the time allowed to change trains, with a special option for this when crossing London.
5. Cheaper but slower routes - example
Here are some examples of alternative routes. There are two types - this first list is where the cheaper (but often slower) train leaves from and goes to the same station as the pricier one:
- Crewe to London Euston. Faster: Virgin Trains; slower: London Midland;
- Birmingham New Street to London Euston. Faster: Virgin Trains; slower: London Midland. See other Birmingham-London journey below;
- York to London King's Cross. Faster (but not by much): East Coast; slower (but much less frequent): open access company Grand Central
The other type is where the cheaper train goes from and/or to a different station to the pricier one:
- Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone with Chiltern;
- London to Leeds. Faster: East Coast from London King's Cross; slower: East Midlands Trains from London St. Pancras;
- Gatwick Airport to London: All routes take the same time to within a very few minutes. Most expensive: Gatwick Express from London Victoria. Next cheapest: Southern from London Victoria. Cheapest: First Capital Connect from London Bridge.