- What counts as a group on UK trains?
- GroupSave: Big savings for small groups
- Group booking for 10+ people
- School & youth group train travel
- Do group bookings include seat reservations?
- Travel tips for large groups
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Whether you’re organising a school trip, a corporate day out, a family reunion, or just travelling with a bunch of friends, taking the train as a group is often the most relaxing, social, and cost-effective way to travel across the UK.
At Trip.com, we make it easy to plan and book train travel for larger parties—plus, there are some generous group discounts you can take advantage of. Here’s everything you need to know about group train travel, including how to book, what to expect, and how to save.
Photo by Metin Ozer on Unsplash
What counts as a group on UK trains?
While “group” can mean anything from 3 to 300 people, train companies usually define group travel based on passenger numbers:
| Group Size | Ticket Option | Typical Discount |
| 3–9 people | GroupSave | Up to 1/3 off |
| 10+ people | Group Travel Booking (via operator or agent) | Custom pricing available |
GroupSave: Big savings for small groups
If you're travelling in a group of between 3 and 9 adults on Off-Peak services, you’ll likely be eligible for GroupSave—a fare type that gives you up to 33% off standard adult tickets when travelling together.
- No Railcard needed
- Available on many Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets
- Kids can still travel on child fares in addition
You’ll see GroupSave fares automatically applied when booking on Trip.com if your party is eligible. Note that all passengers must travel together for the entire journey to benefit from GroupSave pricing.
Group booking for 10+ people
If your group is 10 or more, you may need to book directly through the rail operator’s Group Travel team.
Benefits of larger group bookings often include:
- Reserved seating (subject to availability)
- Flexible payment options
- Onboard assistance or special arrangements
- Potential bulk fare discounts and fixed pricing
Some services may even offer a dedicated group carriage for school trips or events, especially on longer journeys.
School & youth group train travel
Educational groups and youth organisations can often benefit from additional support, such as:
- Extra savings for students
- Free teacher or leader travel (based on group size)
- Advance seating and journey planning assistance
We recommend reaching out to the train provider for further information and assistance.
Do group bookings include seat reservations?
In most cases, yes—especially for longer routes or when travelling Off-Peak. When booking:
- Try to book as far in advance as possible for the best chance of sitting together
- For short local journeys, seat reservations may not be available or necessary
- If you book a GroupSave fare, seats are not guaranteed, but can often be added
Check the seating options in your booking confirmation or contact us if you need assistance.
Travel tips for large groups
- Arrive early: Larger groups should arrive at least 20–30 minutes before departure
- Split into smaller boarding teams: Helps speed up boarding on busy platforms
- Designate a group leader: One person to manage tickets, headcounts, and queries
- Check for engineering works: Some group routes may be affected by weekend works