Can you save money by booking two Singles instead of a Return?

Jay Harlow

Published: August 17, 2026

If you're seeking cheap train ticket strategies (and, let's be honest, who isn't?), then you've probably wondered if it's cheaper to buy two singles or a return.

As there are different rail fare types - such as Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance - in the UK, the answer is: it depends. Contrary to popular belief, a return can actually be more expensive than two singles. Remember, a single fare only covers you for one part of your journey, while a return works for both the outbound and inbound.

So while it may sound confusing, don't worry. We've put together this guide for two singles vs return train tickets in the UK, so you can understand better when it's best to buy two singles, why this happens and how to check.

Is it always cheaper to buy a Return instead of two Singles?

No, it's not always cheaper to buy a return ticket instead of two singles. In fact, if there are Advance tickets available for your route, it'll usually always be cheaper to buy two singles. A Return ticket may be more cost-effective for the more flexible Anytime and Off-Peak fares.

It all comes down to the specific route, how competitive it is, demand on your day of travel and the type of fare available.

How can two Singles be cheaper?

Two Singles can be cheaper than a Return for UK train travel because the lower-priced Advance fare type is only sold as a Single. Advance tickets are heavily discounted fares that go on sale 12 weeks before departure. The price is lower as they come with less flexibility for the passenger - you have to book a specific departure time, and they're non-refundable.

Return tickets, however, usually only apply to the full standard fares, which are known as Anytime or Off-Peak. These are often a lot more expensive than Advance tickets as they're more flexible - you can travel on any service during a defined period of time, and the ticket is refundable if you no longer need to travel.

Availability of Advance fares is limited, and there are different fare buckets with pricing tiers - as tickets sell, the price jumps up to the next tier. So if there's good availability of Advance tickets on your route and day of travel, you'll see that two Singles are cheaper than a Return. Just remember, these are less flexible than a Return.

How to check if two Singles are cheaper

You can use TrainPal's Journey Planner to quickly and easily see if it's cheaper to split your fare into two singles. All you need to do is:

Search your route as a Return first. Enter your "From" and "To" stations, pick your dates and search with the Return tab selected. Note down the price.
Search the same route again as two Singles. Switch to the Single tab, search your outbound leg, then search your return leg separately. Add the two fares together.
Compare the totals. Book whichever one's cheaper.

Remember to check a few different trains, not just your first choice. Advance fares are different for each departure as it depends on availability. For example, the 14:15 departure may be more expensive than the 14:45.

Don't forget, either, that fares are usually cheaper during Off-Peak hours, which are after 9:30 on weekdays and all day on weekends and bank holidays.