Cheap train tickets Five more ways to cut rail costs
Train stations are a good place to meet car sharers
1. Split your ticket
Splitting your ticket does not mean breaking your journey by getting off the train, but buying tickets that cover separate parts of your journey. The only rule is that the train must stop at all the stations involved.
So instead of buying just one ticket from Penzance to Birmingham, you could 'split' your journey at Cheltenham, buying tickets from Penzance to Cheltenham and Cheltenham to Birmingham.
The reason it can save you money is that different train companies have their own prices for different parts of the journey. The aim is to travel the longest distance on the cheapest-priced leg. If your journey straddles both peak and off-peak times, see if you can split the journey so that the largest possible part is off-peak.
To find out where to split, see which stations your train calls at using National Rail Enquiries' website or the relevant train company's website. Alternatively, the Avantix Traveller Fares Information CD-ROM helps you decide where to split - it shows tickets between all British train stations.
Splitting your tickets is definitely worth it for season tickets.
Rail staff aren't allowed to advise on split tickets but must sell them if asked.
2. Travel with an 'open access' train company
There are only two of these: Their chief calling points:
- Grand Central from London King's Cross to York, Northallerton, Hartlepool and Sunderland; and from London King's Cross to Pontefract, Halifax and Bradford;
- First Hull Trains from London King's Cross to Grantham, Doncaster, Selby and Hull
Grand Central only sells off-peak or anytime tickets, which - unlike other 'franchise' train companies - can be bought on its trains at no extra cost.
First Hull Trains also sells off-peak and anytime tickets onboard, but additionally sells advance tickets - which you can't buy onboard.
3. Getting the best from National Rail Enquiries
The National Rail Enquiries (NRE) phoneline is best used for timetable information, rather than fares information. But it can be useful if you don't have ready internet access, particularly for off-peak tickets.
Instead of forking out for NRE's non-geographic number (08457 484950), call 020 7068 0519 to get straight through. You can also call 0121 634 2040 and select option one three times. Be sure to ask for cheaper and slower alternatives if you simply want the best priced tickets.
It's worth knowing that 'on time' at National Rail's live departures and arrival boards does not mean the train is known to be on time - it means there have been no reported problems or delays with the train; the same methodology as airport departure boards.
National Rail has an Outlook add-in which creates new appointments in your Outlook calendar to mark your train journeys. A useful catch-all page is the National Rail guide to train ticket promotions.
4. Plusbus
This gets you unlimited bus travel at your origin or destination - or both. Simply tick the box when buying from train companies' websites. It definitely saves you hassle and can often save you money. But check whether it is actually the cheapest option.
5. Group travel
In the South East, GroupSave lets up to four adults travel for the price of two off-peak tickets. See our local cheap train tickets guide for more information.
Arriva Trains Wales has a Small Group Day ticket for three to nine people travelling together. These are off-peak and give a 25% discount.
CrossCountry has Small Group advance tickets for three to nine people.
Most train companies give varying discounts for groups of ten or more, so check if you're travelling with a large party.
Finally, sign up for a Bitecard and you get 20% off at station shops such as Upper Crust, Caffe Ritazza, Pumpkin and The Pasty Shop.