Increased train fares make sure you cut the cost.

February 23, 2007 – 10:42 am

With the increase in train fares this week; in some places rising a staggering 7%, this isn’t going to encourage people to use public transport. But it is still possible to get some good deals on train journeys if you know where to look.

First of all if you are eligible for a rail card (Young Persons Railcard 18-25 years & the Senior rail card 60years plus) and use the train a few times a year then get one. Most rail cards cost £20 per year, you can easily recoup this if you go on a few train journeys in the year, and the rail card will give you 30% off train travel on most journeys throughout the UK. Many of the top train deals are not on the return train journeys but on the single journeys.

If you are planning a trip visit www.thetrainline.com and compare the price of your journeys as a return and as 2 single journeys.

If 3 or more people are travelling on the same journey then it makes sense to but a group saver ticket. The group saver ticket allows 3 to 4 people to travel a journey for the price of 2 people, essentially giving you 50% a train fare if 4 people are travelling. The group saver ticket is not available on all routes, so check with the national rail enquires before hand.

You can sometimes make you train fare considerably cheaper if you split the journey up, by buying several tickets up that make the whole route, and taking advantage of cheaper fares on certain sections of your journey. Also it goes without saying the earlier you book your journey the cheaper it usually is, if you know you will be going away then book early don’t leave it to the last minute as the fares will be higher.