Cheap Train Tickets
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There are a lot of options that help you save train fares when you buy train tickets. We’ve got some tips for you to find cheap tickets. Now, start a great journey with TrainPal.
How To Get Cheap Train Tickets
1. Buy Your Train Tickets In Advance
Advance Tickets are sold in limited quantities and on a first-come, first-served basis. They are only valid on a specified date and train. You can typically purchase an Advance ticket up to 12 weeks before you travel and save an average of 61% on your tickets. Check our Advance Ticket page to see how much you could save.
Price today
£73.60
Price 1 month in advance
*Using London to Manchester as an example for your reference
London to Manchester
£27.20
With 26-30 Railcard
£40.59
Without
*Using London to Manchester as an example for your reference
Buy a Railcard2. Use a Railcard
National Railcards offer up to 1/3 off on train tickets in the UK, with average savings of £167 per year. If you travel a few times or more in a year, purchasing a Railcard is the best choice.
There are various types of Railcards available for you to choose from based on your age, such as the 16-25 Railcard for students, 26-30 Railcard, or Senior Railcard. If you frequently commute in the London area, the Network Railcard is a suitable option. For group trips, you can choose the Two-Together Railcard or the Family & Friends Railcard. Find out more about Railcards on TrainPal.
Buy a Railcard3. Travel Off-Peak
Off-Peak fares are cheaper tickets for travelling at less busy times during weekdays, and all day on weekends. You may have to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes. For example, the ticket fare from London to Manchester is around £140 before 09:30, while the Off-Peak fare is around £80 for travel after 09:30.
In general, Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 from Monday to Friday in cities and large towns, and at 09:00 everywhere else. Weekends and bank holidays are Off-Peak all day.
Super Off-Peak travel times are normally between around 10:00 to 15:30 and from 19:15 onwards Monday to Friday. Check our Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak page to see how much you could save.
| Time | Monday to Friday | Sunday to Saturday | Other Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak | Begin at 09:30 (cities and large towns) Begin at 09:00 (everywhere else) | All day | All day |
| Super Off-Peak | 10:00–15:30 & after 19:15 | All day | All day |
*Using London to Manchester as an example for your reference
4. Buy Split Tickets
With split tickets, you can save your train fare by splitting one long direct train journey into two cheaper indirect routes. Ensure you remember all transfer times and stations to avoid missing your train. Check more about split tickets on TrainPal.
5. Season Tickets
If you make the same journey regularly, you can make bigger savings with a Season ticket when compared to buying daily tickets.
Season tickets offer unlimited travel between 2 stations, they are available to buy weekly, monthly, and annually. You can travel as much as you like within your chosen time. The price of your Season ticket will depend on your journey, the route you want to take, and the class of travel. Check our Season ticket webpage to see how much you could save.
*Using Edinburgh to Manchester as an example for your reference
*Using Glasgow to Edinburgh as an example for your reference
6. Flexi Tickets
A Flexi Season ticket allows you to travel on any 8 days within a 28-day period without the need to book in advance. This ticket is ideal if you work from home on some days and commute to the office on others.
However, if you travel more frequently, a Season Ticket may be more suitable for you. To find out how much you can save, please visit our Flexi Season Ticket webpage.
7. Student Train Tickets
Students can enjoy discounted train tickets by using student Railcards, which include the 16-17 Saver, 16-25 Railcard, and 26-30 Railcard. 16-17 Saver Railcards can save 1/2, while 16-25 and 26-30 Railcards can save 1/3. Check our student Railcard page to see how much you could save.
Buy a Railcard
Manchester to London
£20.20
With 16-17 Saver
£40.40
Without
London to Birmingham
£24.92
With 16-17 Saver
£49.84
Without
*Using 16-17 Saver Railcards as an example for your reference
Buy a Railcard
*Using London to Manchester as an example for your reference
8. Buy Return Tickets
A Flexi Season ticket allows you to travel on any 8 days within a 28-day period without the need to book in advance. This ticket is ideal if you work from home on some days and commute to the office on others.
9. Travel in a Group
If you often travel in a group of 2, you can purchase a Two Together Railcard. If you're a group with children, you can obtain a Family & Friends Railcard. For groups of 3 to 9 adults, a 1/3 discount on Off-Peak tickets is available with GroupSave. It's important to note that you don't need to buy a Railcard to benefit from the GroupSave discount.
Family & Friends Railcard
London to Birmingham
£33.39
With Family & Friends Railcard
£49.84
Without
*Using London to Birmingham as an example for your reference
Family & Friends RailcardTwo Together Railcard
London to Edinburgh
£88.22
With Two Together Railcard
£131.67
Without
*Using London to Edinburgh as an example for your reference
Two Together RailcardGroupSave
GroupSave train tickets are a type of group discount ticket for 3 to 9 passengers travelling together. As long as the group size meets the requirements, everyone can access a 34% discount. However, it is necessary for all members of the group to travel together for the entire journey, and this offer is mainly applicable during off-peak times.
London to Manchester
£27.20
With GroupSave
£40.59
Without
*Using London to Manchester as an example for your reference
Cheap Train Tickets Found by Train Journey Planner
| Routes | Train Companies | Price |
|---|---|---|
| London to Manchester | CrossCountry | Buy from £43.50 |
| Manchester to London | LUMO | Buy from £43.50 |
| London to Birmingham | West Midlands Trains | Buy from £5.17 |
| London to Glasgow | West Midlands Trains | Buy from £22.50 |
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