Whether it’s your everyday commute or an exciting cross-country retreat, travelling by train in the UK is one of the most convenient and (dare say) enjoyable ways of travelling in the UK. However, the cost can add up if you’re not clued into some of the ways to cut down on spending when booking your rail tickets.
We’ve compiled nine of the best ways you can start making savings on your train tickets when booking into the future. From new routes to Railcards, these tips should have you saving in no time.
1. Book train tickets in advance
The easiest way to ensure you’re saving when buying train tickets is to get them booked as early as possible. Train operators typically release their tickets up to 12 weeks (about 3 months) in advance, and prices tend to rise closer to the travel date, so planning ahead often means you can snag the far cheaper Advance tickets.
However, it’s worth noting that Advance tickets are often available in limited quantities and come with specific restrictions (you may need to travel with a particular train provider, for example). As always, reading and planning carefully is strongly advised when booking these to avoid any last-minute panic.
2. Use railcards when buying train tickets
Railcards are discount cards available specifically in the UK for various demographics, including students, seniors, families and more. These cards will typically offer up to 1/3 off the price of your train tickets, meaning they’re a great long-term investment, with the initial cost often covered by savings within the first few trips.
3. Travel Off-Peak
Peak travel times refer to the hours in which train services are at their busiest, largely due to the work commute. According to TFL, this falls between 06:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00 Monday to Friday (not on public holidays).
Travelling Off-Peak simply means avoiding these times, and often means ticket prices for this route will be reduced. Whenever possible, it’s always recommended to avoid Peak travel times, not only for price but for the comfort of your journey and flexibility of choice. Keep an eye out for Super Off-Peak tickets, too, which offer even greater discounts but are often far more limited and restricted.
4. Use split ticketing
Split ticketing involves breaking your journey into multiple segments and purchasing separate tickets for each leg of the trip, as opposed to buying one long-distance ticket. Sometimes, this can result in significant savings, as different segments of the same journey may have different pricing structures.
We recommend manually looking for split-ticketing options when you’re thinking of taking longer journeys to see if this is possible. Always ensure that your train stops at all the stations covered by your split tickets to avoid any issues during your journey.
To find out more about how split ticketing works, you can read our guide.
5. Look for promotions and deals
Trip.com and fellow train operators often run promotions, discounts, and special offers that can help you save money on your train travel. These deals may include limited-time sales, two-for-one offers, or discounted fares for specific routes or travel periods.
Keep an eye on our website and social media channels (Instagram, TikTok, X) to stay informed about the latest promotions. Additionally, you can sign up for our email newsletters so you can receive notifications about upcoming deals directly to your inbox.
6. Consider alternative train routes
While direct routes are often the most convenient, they may also be a bit more expensive. When planning your journey, we’d recommend exploring as many possible route options to your destination, as some routes may be cheaper than others.
This is often a great option if you’re not in a huge rush to reach your destination. Use our Journey Planner to compare prices and times for different routes, considering factors such as transfer times and overall travel duration.
7. Research season tickets or rover tickets
If you travel frequently within a specific region or on a particular route, purchasing a season ticket or a rover ticket could be your best bet at savings. Season tickets provide unlimited travel between two specified stations for a set period, such as a week, month, or year, at a discounted rate compared to buying individual tickets.
Similarly, rover tickets allow unlimited travel within a designated area or on a specific route for a set period. If you regularly commute to work or frequently travel between two cities, investing in a season ticket can lead to substantial savings over time.
For in-depth definitions of these ticket types (and others), explore our guide here.
Additionally, some train operators offer group season tickets for businesses or organizations, allowing multiple employees to share the cost of a single ticket.
8. Consider group savings
If you're travelling with a group of friends, family members, or colleagues, you could explore group travel options to unlock additional savings. Many train operators offer group discounts for parties of a certain size, allowing you to enjoy discounted fares when booking multiple tickets together. Group discounts vary between operators but typically apply to groups of three or more passengers travelling together on the same journey.
Before booking, do your research to ensure you meet any eligibility criteria and provide all necessary passenger details.
9. Book single train tickets
When planning your journey, it’s good practice to compare the prices of single tickets versus return tickets. In some cases, purchasing two single tickets for your outbound and return journeys separately can be cheaper than buying a round-trip ticket. Single tickets allow you to take advantage of the different pricing structures and fare types available for each leg of your journey.
Other ways to save money when travelling by train
Why stop there? There are other ways you can ensure you’re getting your money’s worth when travelling by rail in the UK. Here are three additional tips:
10. Utilise refunds and exchanges
We all occasionally have to make unforeseen changes to our plans, which can mean cancelling rail travel at the last minute. Familiarising yourself with the refund and exchange policies of different train tickets and providers means you stand a greater chance of getting your money back in these unfortunate events.
While Advance tickets are typically non-refundable, some ticket types allow you to exchange or refund your ticket for a fee or under certain circumstances; Off-Peak and Anytime tickets may be eligible for refunds or exchanges, for example. Find out more about Trip.com’s refund policies.
11. Use Cashback and Rewards Programs
Where possible, you can take advantage of cashback and rewards programs offered by credit cards, and loyalty programs to earn rewards or cashback on your train ticket purchases. Many credit cards offer cashback or reward points for transportation-related expenses, including train travel, allowing you to earn valuable benefits with every ticket purchase.
Before booking your tickets, check if your credit card or cashback program offers any incentives for train travel and maximize your savings by redeeming rewards or earning cashback on your purchases.
12. Consider bus or coach services
Including this on the list may be considered cheating but, in some cases, travelling by bus or coach can often be a more affordable alternative, especially for shorter distances or less popular routes.
Bus and coach services often offer competitive fares, flexible schedules, and convenient pick-up and drop-off locations, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious travellers. So, it’s always worth considering whether rail is truly the best way to go for your specific journey.