If you want to know how to get cheap train tickets then you’ve come to the right place! Everyone knows that travelling by train can be very expensive at times, especially with cancellations or strikes.  Following our hacks to get cheap train tickets in the UK means that your train journeys are much cheaper! So, whatever your reason for travelling, whether it be commuting to uni or visiting friends, read on to find out how to save loads of cash.

Keep an eye out for discounts

Hacks to get cheap train tickets in the UK

You can make your train journeys a little cheaper by checking your eligibility for a discount. If you’re a student, unemployed or are travelling with a child, you should be entitled to one.If you’re receiving universal credit or jobseekers allowance check in with your job centre as you may be able to get a travel discount which is 50% cheaper off your train toll. Doing this will help guarantee that you get cheap train tickets.

This is a crucial tip if you want to save money in general, you’d be surprised at how much money you could be actually leaving on the table.

Don’t be afraid to ask for compensation

Don’t be afraid to refund your ticket of the train arrives too late or not at all. You can do by filling out a form on the train company’s website and all you need is proof of purchase.

Consider getting a railcard

16-25 railcard

If you find yourself spending over ninety pounds annually on train fares it might be time to get a railcard. While the initial cost may put some people off in the end it really does pay off in the end. For thirty pounds a year you can have a third off most of your train bookings and you can keep a digital copy on your phone so you never have to worry about forgetting it. Check out our full guide on applying for a railcard here. 

Start travelling off-peak

Hacks to get cheap train tickets in the UK
Source: Pexels

Sometimes it can’t be helped and you’re forced to book a train last minute. This can be a problem on occasion as you run the risk of being forced to pay some outrageous prices, luckily there is a solution. Try booking tickets that are off-peak, this means intentionally purchasing tickets that are not in demand. This could mean choosing less popular days, going early in the morning or late in the evening.

Split fares

Splitting fares is another sure-fire way to get cheap train tickets. Instead of paying for an entire journey you purchase different parts of your journey separately, this doesn’t always work but if it does you can save a significant amount of money. Splitting fares can also result in your journey being longer than original so you do need to weigh up its effectiveness before booking.We’ve come to the end of our hacks to get cheap train tickets! We hope the article was helpful, especially if you’ve moved from one side of the UK to another and want to travel often.

Last Updated on March 19, 2024

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