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Split-ticketing and nine more simple secrets to saving money on UK rail fares
Average train fares in the UK have risen by nearly 25 per cent since 2011. Travelling at peak
times on inter-city routes can be especially exorbitant: Manchester to London, for example,
will set you back 338 for an Anytime Return, and the sheer complexity of the ticket pricing
system often makes it difficult to find the cheapest fares, so Telegraph Travel has come up
with 10 strategies to help you cut the cost of rail travel.

1. Try split-ticketing
As outlined by the rail watchdog Transport Focus this week, a glaring anomaly of the
archaic ticketing system is that it can sometimes work out much cheaper to buy two or more
tickets for different connecting segments of your journey rather than one ticket for the
whole journey. This is particularly true on long-distance trips and research shows the
unconventional practice can reduce the price of travel by nearly 90 per cent. The train has to
call at a station named on a ticket, but theres no need to get off or change. To unearth split-
ticketing deals, turn to www.raileasy.co.uk, splityourticket.co.uk and
newcomer ticketclever.com.

2. Book well ahead

The earlier you buy, the cheaper the ticket. Train companies release their cheapest fixed-
time Advance tickets, which are limited in number, around 12 weeks before departure. See
National Rails chart (nationalrail.co.uk) for exactly how far in advance you can book with
each company. Also register with The Trainline for an email alert saying when Advance
tickets go on sale on a specific route see thetrainline.com/ticketalert
3. Book ahead even at the last minute
You can often still making some savings by booking Advance tickets just before travel. Cut-
off times vary by operator: in most cases they are 6pm or 11.59pm the day before, but with
Cross Country you can sometimes buy Advance tickets online as little as 15 minutes prior to
departure.

4. Time your travel

Even if you cant book ahead, you can save significantly by avoiding peak such as Monday-
Friday during business travel periods and buying Off-Peak and, if available, Super Off-Peak
tickets. Though pricier than Advance rail fares, they dont restrict you to travelling on a
specific train. See thetrainline.com/train-times for which services are peak, off-peak and
super off-peak on a specified route.

5. Take a slower route

This may result in big savings. For example, peak-time travel on the main route between
Bath and London Paddington costs 190 for an Anytime Return. But travel peak between
Bath-London Waterloo, taking an extra 75 minutes and changing trains in Salisbury, and the
Anytime return drops to 81.30.

6. Invest in a railcard
The nationwide 16-25, Two Together, Family & Friends, Senior and Disabled Persons
railcards can pay for themselves on just one or two long-distance journeys. They get holders
a third off fares (60 per cent off for children on the Family & Friends Railcard), and cost
30 a year (or 20 for the Disabled Persons Railcard. Details, including restrictions,
on railcard.co.uk. With some train companies, three to nine adults travelling together can
also get a third reduction on off-peak fares under GroupSave (not a railcard).
thetrainline.com automatically applies applicable GroupSave discounts to bookings.

7. Look for mega savings

On megatrain.com you can find very cheap fares on some services operated by South West
Trains (such as Southampton-London Waterloo) and East Midlands Trains (including
Leicester-London St Pancras). Prices start at 1 (plus a 50p booking fee). Finding the deals
on the website is hard work, but they are there.

8. Avoid booking fees

Most agents charge an online booking fee: The Trainline, 25p-1.50, and
redspottedhanky.com, 1. Though small, the fees soon add up if youre a frequent train
traveller. Book through train operators websites and you wont pay a fee. Any train operator
can book any train journey, at the same price.

9. Research airport train options

Book airport express services in advance, and consider cheaper alternatives. On the
Heathrow Express (heathrowexpress.com), travelling at the weekend a single costs 5.50
booked at least 90 days ahead, compared with 22 bought on the day of travel. Stopping
services from London stations to Gatwick can take the same time or just a few minutes
longer than the Gatwick Express, but be significantly cheaper.

10. Dont miss out on refunds

If your train is delayed you may well be entitled to money back; compensation is usually not
automatic, so you need to put in a claim. Train companies have different policies, so check
their websites for details. But most abide by a Delay Repay arrangement, paying 50 per cent
of the single fare if the train is 30-59 minutes late, 100 per cent of the single fare if an hour
or more late whatever the cause of the delay. With some train companies (Southern and
Thameslink for example), Delay Repay kicks in after 15 minutes. Other rail operators such
as GWR wont pay up if the delay was caused by something outside their control such as the
weather.
At the Railway Station
A. Finding where to catch the Train
Is there a railway station near here?

Is there a subway near here?

Wheres the nearest underground/subway?

Can you tell me where theres an underground/a subway station near here?

Are there any underground stations round here?

Could you direct me to an underground station?

B. Getting the right train

Do you know when the next train goes to town?

How often do these trains run?

Whens the next train to the airport?

Which line/train goes to the park?

Which train do I take to get to the college?

What number train do I catch for the city?

Is there a train that goes to the airport?

Is this the right line for the station?

Get a ticket from the machine.

The city service goes from platform 2.

Youll have to change at the next station.

The trains run every ten minutes.

You need the C line.

C. At the station
Is this the right line for the airport?

Does this go to the city centre?

 The Central Park, please.

I want to go to the city.

How much is it?

What/how much is the fare?

Can I get a return ticket?

Do I have to change?

How many stations/stops is it?

Which station should I get off, please?

Is mine the last stop?

D. At the Station: Dialogue

How soon does the train leave?

It leaves in ten minutes.

Do I have time to check my bags?

I dont think you do.

How much is the fare to Mysore?

A hundred fifty Rupees round trip.

What time does the next train leave?

The next one leaves at six thirty from track 6.

At what time does the next train leave for the city?

Theres one at four and another at four forty-five.

Whats the fare?

Its eighty including tax.

Did your cousin arrive on time?

No. He was an hour late.

 Did you meet him at the station?

I was right there on the platform when the train came.

How do you get home every day?

I take the commuter train to Nungambakkom.

Isnt it rather expensive going by train?

No. I buy a Thirty-trip Season ticket each month.

E. Railway Reservation
Excuse me, could you please tell me if I can get a ticket for Goa, from this counter.

Sorry, you will have to go to counter No 3. This counter is only for group booking.

Could you please, tell me whether a reservation for the 22nd is available?

The enquiry counter will tell you about this. It is at the entrance of the building.

Thank you. Here is the enquiry counter. Let me find out whether there are any

reservations available for the 22nd.

How can I help you?

Please, may I know the status of reservation for the 12th of this month?

Please wait for a minute. I will just check. In which class would you like to travel?

Three-tier AC...

There are some berths available in two-tier sleeper but none in three tier AC.

Thank you. Do I know have to go to Counter No. 3 to book my ticket?

Thats right.

Thank you very much.