tips & hints

HERE you will find numerous ideas on how to save money on your rail fares with general tips to be aware of and places on the internet you can go for further information in finding cheaper fares.

Faresaver is not affiliated to any train operating company mentioned on this page. All information is given in good faith.

This page is regularly updated so keep checking back for further information as it becomes available.

ADVANCE TICKETS

Advance tickets are the cheapest and are normally available 12 weeks in advance. They are limited in number so it pays to get in early but also bear in mind that they don't always sell out so they can sometimes still be available up to midnight the day before travel.

The Trainline.com Ticket Alert have a useful "ticket alert" facility where they will send you an email alert when tickets become available for your chosen stations although it doesn't apply to all stations.

RAILCARDS

If you're eligible for a railcard then you can get 1/3 off your rail fares and this includes Advance fares. They initially cost between £18 and £26 but be aware that minimum fares can apply. Time restrictions can also apply on weekdays but not at weekends or bank holidays.

There are railcards for "Senior Citizens" (anyone over 60), "Students" (anyone up to the age of 24) "Armed Forces", "Disabled" and "Family and Friends", you can find all the information at Railard.co.uk.

MEGATRAIN

This is the rail version of "Megabus" run by Stagecoach, it offers ridiculously cheap tickets, some as little as £1! It covers Stagecoach's rail franchises East Midlands Trains, South West Trains and Virgin Trains (Stagecoach own part of Virgin Trains) but only the major stations are included, even so there's quite a few to choose from.

These are single advance tickets bought online and are restricted in numbers. You must catch the train stated on your ticket and you cannot break your journey so you're not allowed to travel short of your destination. You can find all the information at Megatrain.

ROVERS

Rover tickets give you unlimited travel within a specified area and are much cheaper than buying separate tickets. There's a large number to choose from but bear in mind that on weekdays time restrictions normally apply. You can find them all HERE.

You can buy "Day" rovers which are ideal if you need to travel to a number of destinations in an area in one day but you can also buy 4in8 day rovers and 7-day rovers. These types of rover tickets can be useful if you need to travel to the same or even different destinations more than once in a week and can be cheaper than buying separate tickets.

SEASON TICKETS

If you are a frequent traveller between destinations then check out the rates for season tickets. You can get them for a minimum of 7 days, a month and up to a whole year.

Get more information HERE. where you'll also find a very useful "season ticket calculator".

COMPENSATION

If your train is late then don't just accept it - complain! It can be a way of getting some or all of your rail fare back, albeit in vouchers although you can request it in cash but they don't have to oblige.

The way the compensation system works varies between train operating companies (TOCs) but in general if your train is over an hour late at your destination station you are entitled to compensation. The amount varies between TOCs, some give more, some give less but the minimum is 10% for each direction for return tickets and 20% for single tickets and 7-day season tickets.

Some TOC's will give you more than the minimum so if you do want to claim compensation keep your ticket with you as evidence and either write to the train company concerned or apply at the ticket office where you bought your ticket. You may also find this web site helpful.

LONG TERM OFFERS

CHILTERN offer cheap advance tickets for stations on their routes between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill and between London Marylebone and Aylesbury and vice versa. You can get tickets between London and Birmingham for as little as £5 each way and for Aylesbury for £4 each way, the cheap fares also apply to intermediate stations.

As stated these are advance tickets and you have to buy them online from their web site and you will either have to print the tickets off yourself or you can have them sent to your mobile, you can find all the information at Chiltern Railways.

 

VIRGIN offer cheap advance tickets from London Euston to stations on their routes which includes Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Chester, Carlisle, Glasgow amongst others. You can go from London Euston to Birmingham New Street for as little as £7 each way and to Glasgow Central for just £35 return.

They are available at Virgin Trains Farefinder and are restricted in numbers and you must catch the train stated on your ticket and you cannot break your journey.

 

SCOTRAIL offer cheap tickets on their Caledonian Sleeper services between London Euston and a host of Scottish destinations including Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Tickets are limited and range from £19, £29, £39 to £49 although the cheaper ones don't tend to be available in pairs.

They are available at Bargain Berths and are restricted and have to be booked in advance but they can still be available up to 12.00 the day before travel. Tickets are either sent to your mobile or via email where you print them off yourself.

SCOTRAIL also offer free travel for up to 2 kids with every adult off-peak all week.

They are available at Kids Go Free and you don't need to book in advance, you can also but them at stations and on trains if no ticket office is available.

 

SOUTHERN offer unlimited travel on their network for just £10, four people can travel for £20 and childern for £1.

They are available at Southern DaySave and are for travel at off-peak times Monday to Friday and at anytime on Saturday, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

 

NORTHERN offer you one return train ticket, plus a second for half price when two adults travel together with Northern on selected routes.

They are available at Northern Duo and are only valid on the date shown on the ticket, you can travel from 0930 on Mondays to Fridays or anytime at weekends and Bank Holidays.