Rail fares set to rise -  but here’s how you can still travel for less

Train ticket prices in England could go up by as much as 5.8% next year. If the government sticks with last year’s pricing model (the retail price index plus 1%), you could be paying even more than expected. 

To put it into perspective: 

• A season ticket from Gloucester to Birmingham could rise by £312 – from £5,384 to £5,696. 

• A Woking to London annual pass could jump £247, reaching £4,507. 

But the good news is there are still plenty of ways you can save money on train travel.  

Here's how: 

Book early 

If you can plan ahead, book your tickets around 12 weeks before you travel. That’s when you’re most likely to get the best deals. 

Even if you're booking late, it's still worth checking for advance fares as they’re sometimes available on the day if tickets haven’t sold out. 

Split your tickets 

Use split-ticketing tools like Trainline’s SplitSave for an average saving of £13 per trip. Instead of buying one expensive ticket for a long journey, you buy separate tickets for each part of the route, and still stay on the same train. 

For example: 

• Instead of travelling directly from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, you could buy: 

• one ticket from London Euston to Stockport, and 

• another from Stockport to Manchester 
  And no, you don’t need to change trains, as long as it stops at Stockport. 

Travel off-peak 

Travelling at quieter times means cheaper fares. 

In general, off-peak means: 

• after 9:30 am on weekdays (sometimes 9:00 am) 

• all day on weekends and bank holidays 

Every train company has slightly different off-peak times, so check before you go. 

Be flexible 

If you can be flexible with your travel dates and times, you’ll have more options to get a cheaper fare. 

Even moving your journey by a day or a few hours can make a big difference. 

Consider two singles instead of a return 

Sometimes, two one-way tickets are cheaper than a return. It's worth comparing both options when you book. 

Look into season tickets 

If you travel the same route regularly, a season ticket could save you a lot of money. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

• you can buy them weekly, monthly, or annually 

• you get unlimited travel between two stations 

• if you travel less often, consider a flexi season ticket – which gives you eight days of travel in 28 days 

Use the National Rail season ticket calculator to find out how much you could save. 

Get a Railcard 

A Railcard typically gives you a third off most off-peak fares and many also include discounts for children or companions. Most Railcards cost £35 for one year or £80 for three years.  

Here are the different types of Railcards you can get: 

• 16–17 Saver Railcard 

• 50% off adult fares 

• 16–25 Railcard 

• 1/3 off adult fares 

• 26–30 Railcard 

• 1/3 off adult fares 

• Disabled Person's Railcard 

• Costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years 

• 1/3 off for you and an adult companion 

• Family & Friends Railcard 

• 1/3 off for adults 

• 60% off for children on most fares 

• HM Forces Railcard 

• Costs £21 for one year (apply through your unit HR admin) 

• 1/3 off for adults and 60% off for children 

• Network Railcard 

• 1/3 off most adult fares and 60% off child fares 

• Valid in London and the South East of England 

• Senior Railcard 

• Costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years (some councils offer it cheaper) 

• 1/3 off adult fares 

• Veterans’ Railcard 

• 1/3 off for adults and 60% off for children 

• Two Together Railcard 

• 1/3 off adult fares when two named people travel together 

Visit Railcard to find out which one is right for you and how much you could save.