While trains are quite convenient, they can also be quite expensive. Recent inflation rates have skyrocketed train fares, warranting cost-cutting measures wherever possible. Finding cheap rail tickets might be easier said than done. Fortunately, there are a few websites that can help you discover great deals to save on train travels. Here are a few websites to consider for cheap rail tickets in the UK.
SplitMyFare
SplitMyFare is a website that guides you through a popular method of reducing train fares: split ticketing. Instead of buying one ticket for your entire journey, you buy multiple tickets for each station you pass through. Keep in mind that you’ll still be on the same train, in the same seat, throughout your journey. However, the key advantage is that you could save up to 90% on train tickets through split ticketing!
Head over to SplitMyFare and enter your train routes, then click search. You can also add your Railcard for discounted prices if you have one. Once done, SplitMyFare will display split ticket suggestions showing the cheapest train fares available.
Rail Easy
Rail Easy is another popular website for finding low-cost train tickets. The site also uses split ticketing. However, it has an added benefit of managing your booking experience by integrating a cheap fare finder into the system. The website can also manage ticket amendments and cancellations and can issue mobile e-tickets.
Trainline
Trainline helps you book train tickets across Europe at a 61% average cost savings on UK rail. The website also has an iOS and Android application. This app offers split ticketing, a journey planner for scheduling your next trip, a place to search for cheap train tickets and UK train times to keep track of future routing timetables.
Happy Rail
Happy Rail is another ticketing platform to consider for booking online train tickets. They provide an easy-to-use booking process and a mobile app alternative. Its main advantage is that it offers a one-stop site for booking all rail passes in Europe and 20 countries in general. However, it’s still best to compare prices with other platforms such as SplitMyFare and Train Line to find the best deal overall.
How to Find Cheap UK Rail Tickets
With proper planning and research, you can cut down costs and enjoy a more affordable train ride. Here are some quick tips to help you get better deals on train travel.
Plan in Advance
The earlier you book your ticket, the cheaper the rate could be. you also stand a chance of getting cheaper first-class train tickets. This is due to the demand and supply rule, where rail companies typically increase rates the more people book their tickets at the last minute. A clever way to track price rates is to keep track of the train schedule often released several weeks ahead of travel time.
You can set up alerts for when tickets go on sale. This way, you’ll be among the first people in line for the cheaper tickets. This system also sends email alerts when advance tickets go on sale.
Get a Railcard
A Railcard can help you save on train travel, with up to one-third cost savings off your tickets. The Railcard also provides senior rail offers. There are nine different Railcards available. These include the 16-17 Saver, the 16-25 Railcard, the 26-30 Railcard, the Disabled Persons Railcard, the Family & Friends Railcard, the Network Railcard, the Senior Railcard, the Two Together Railcard and the Veterans Railcard. Once you have a Railcard, you automatically qualify for discounted ticket prices.
Split Your Tickets
Splitting your tickets is a relatively unusual way to cut down the overall cost of travel. These types of tickets cover your entire journey, all on the same train. The caveat is that you will need multiple tickets for the constituent parts of your journey.
Using this trick can significantly reduce the overall cost of travel. You only need to follow the National Rail Conditions of Travel, which state that each ticket must call at every station you pass through.
Using Flexi Season Tickets
Flexi Season Tickets may or may not help you save. Flexi season tickets give you eight days of travel in a 28-day time period. You don’t have to decide which specific days you’ll be traveling in advance. This means that you can choose to use the tickets at any time. These tickets are useful for part-time commuters who can use them whenever they need to over the course of two to three days per week. With a 20% discount, commuters traveling during peak seasons can save significantly on train fares.
