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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Lifestyle
Talya Honebeek

How to save money on a trip to Alton Towers this summer

From Lightwater Valley and Thorpe Park to LEGOLAND and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, there's no shortage of great theme parks in the UK.

And between the thrilling rides, great entertainment and of course, the classic fairground food, it's no surprise they're a great go-to whether you're looking for daring date ideas, something fun to do with friends or just a fun day out with the family.

Of the many theme parks up and down the country, Alton Towers consistently ranks highly in TripAdvisor's annual rankings, coming in second place for 2023. Located in Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, Alton Towers boasts over 40 rides as well as 10 themed areas, meaning there really is something for everyone, regardless of age.

READ MORE: The last-minute family holidays that are cheaper than a family day out

The Smiler's 14 loops and Oblivion's vertical drop will keep any adrenaline junkies occupied, while the In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride and CBeebies Land are sure to be a hit with any youngsters in your party.

In addition to the main theme park, there's also a waterpark complete with water slides, canons, coasters and flumes, as well as some outdoor water spaces for those lucky enough to pick a sunny day to visit.

A theme park day pass ticket costs £36 per person when booked online, with water park passes starting from £17.50 and crazy golf passes from £6. And while Alton Towers has a lot going for it, not everyone will want to splash out for a summer day out.

With that in mind, we've scoured the internet to find you ways to save on your next Alton Towers trip. From two-for-one tickets to Clubcard discounts, here are the best deals currently available to make the most of online.

How to get cheap Alton Towers tickets

Save £32 on theme park passes

The Smiler, one of Alton Towers' many rides (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

If you're hoping to visit Alton Towers this summer, bear in mind it's always best to plan your trip and book your tickets as far ahead as possible.

Alton Towers tickets (as well as tickets for many other popular theme parks and attractions in the UK) are far cheaper when purchased online in advance than they are on the day at the gate.

A theme park day pass costs £68 on the door, but prices start from just £35 when booked online. It's a similar story with water park passes, so always check online first.

Other note-worthy savings to be made include £20 tickets for students registered with Student Beans and £29 entry for an adult and toddler (under five) on selected dates during off-peak periods.

Alton Towers also operates an 'Under 3's go free' policy.

If you visit often, you can also sign up for an Alton Towers Silver Pass, which gives you valid entry for 12 months for £99 per person.

Get discounted Alton Towers tickets with a Merlin Annual Pass

If you have a Merlin Annual Pass, you can visit 29 UK attractions – including Alton Towers, SEA LIFE Aquariums and Madame Tussauds – for heavily discounted prices, so if you're a fan of theme parks, it might be worth investing.

The Discovery Pass gives you off-peak entry to the attractions for £99 per person, per year, while the Silver Pass (£169 per person annually or £10.99 monthly) allows you entry on more peak days as well as 10 per cent off food and drink and discounted family and friends tickets.

There are also Gold Passes available from £15.99 per month and Platinum Passes from £20.99, however, you will also need to pay a joining fee and commit to at least 12 months.

Stay overnight at Alton Towers Resort for £90

If you're lucky enough to live near Alton Towers, this won't be necessary for you, however, for those travelling from further afield, this is a great way of saving money on your accommodation.

A family of four can stay in one of Alton Towers Resort's themed hotels – including Woodland Lodge and the Splash Landings Hotel – for just £90. The deal includes breakfast, evening entertainment, free parking and a free nine hole round of golf. You can add theme park passes to the package too.

National Rail two-for-one

There's an extra perk if you're planning on travelling to Alton Towers via public transport, as National Rail offers up to two-for-one entry on lots of the UK's top attractions, including Alton Towers, when you travel by train.

You can check out National Rail's Days Out Guide here to find out more and book your spots.

Tesco Clubcard Alton Towers discounts

Alton Towers theme park (AFP via Getty Images)

Alton Towers is one of the many UK attractions allowing Tesco Clubcard users to access discounted prices by saving up points.

Basically, you scan your Clubcard to build up points until you accrue enough to convert them into Tesco Reward Partners vouchers, which are worth two times the vouchers' face value. In other words, £5 worth of points is £10 worth of vouchers to put towards your next Alton Towers trip.

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