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Step 1
Book your tickets in advance, the best-known method of buying your tickets cheaply. What is not so well known is that railway companies have to make tickets available 12 weeks before the date of travel. The earlier you book, the better the discount.
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Step 2
Look for promotions. Train companies often offer promotions to popular destinations. The best way to find out about the latest offers is by registering with a site like Virgin Train (see Resources below). They send emails with the latest news to your inbox.
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Step 3
If you qualify, purchase a railcard. Railcards in the UK give you up to a third off the price. These railcards are available to people under 26 or over 60.
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Step 4
Buy 2 saver singles instead of a return. Return tickets should be cheaper than buying 2 singles. However, occasionally buying 2 singles saves you money. The trainline and national rail website provide the option to compare the prices of the 2 ticket types.
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Step 5
Split your tickets. There may be a discount offered for part of your journey, but it might not be valid if you pay for your whole journey. To get around this, buy a ticket to the destination that offers the special offer and then another from there to your destination. Sometimes you can buy several special offer tickets.
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Step 6
Travel between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you travel outside these times, it is generally more expensive.
