Rail fares in England are to rise by 3.8% in March, the biggest increase in nine years.
The size of the increase was actually a relief for some. The price hike in 2020 was above the RPI rate of inflation which is predicated to be above 5% in March 2022.
However, it is still a sizeable increase so here we detail ways you can save cash on rail travel.
Go here for the very latest live traffic and travel news and North East updates
Book in advance
Book up to 12 weeks in advance for great savings.
For some journeys, where the train companies estimate demand will be low, they sell a limited number of tickets 12 weeks before the date of travel at a significant discount
Avoid commuters
Try to avoid travelling between 6.30am to 9.30am and 3.30pm to 6.30pm when off peak tickets are available as these are much cheaper than flexible anytime tickets.
You might be better off buying single tickets even when you plan a return journey
Sounds daft but s ometimes two singles are cheaper than a return.
Also, if planning a longer journey it might be worth splitting it up if you are planning to stop on the way.
Set up price alerts
Ticket booking websites often have alerts you can sign up which can help you track when to buy fares at the cheapest price.
The Trainline ticket alert tool is free and claims to save 61% on your tickets when you book ahead instead of buying them on the day.
However check fees before booking.
Finally - get a railcard
Perhaps the best option for reasonably frequent travellers is a railcard - and there is one available for all ages.
There is the Two Together Railcard for you and the person you travel with most, and you'll both enjoy 1/3 off rail fares when you get away together.
It's not just a card for couples either - you can get one with a best friend, or one of the family.
It costs £30 - that’s £15 each - so after a couple of trips, the card could well have paid for itself as it will save you both 1/3 off a wide range of tickets.
It applies to most adult fares throughout the UK - the only time you can't use your Two Together Railcard is morning peak times.
There is the Senior Railcard if you are 60 years old or over and gets you 1/3 off train travel.. You can buy one up to two weeks before your 60th birthday if you buy online, but it’ll only be valid from your birthday onwards.
If you buy from a station you cannot buy in advance of your 60th birthday.
You can get 50% off train travel with a 16-17 Saver which costs £30 a year. It applies to Standard Anytime, Standard Off-Peak, Standard Advance and Season tickets for travel at any time of the day.
There's the 16‐25 Railcard which is aimed at leisure travel and gives 1/3 off Standard Anytime and Standard Off-Peak tickets, as well as Standard and First Class Advance tickets.
A £12 minimum fare applies to journeys starting between 4.30am and 10am on week days.
The 16-25 Railcard discount does not apply to Season tickets. Cost £30 for one year and £70 for three years.
It is estimated that it provides average annual savings of up to £189 - based on the average savings made by 16-25 Railcard holders between March 2019 and February 2020, excluding price of Railcard.
Get 1/3 off train travel with a 26-30 Railcard. Your 26-30 Railcard gets you 1/3 off most off-peak rail fares to travel across Great Britain.
It costs £30 a year and save on average £251 a year - based on the average savings made by 26-30 Railcard holders between March 2019 and February 2020, excluding price of Railcard.
There's a Family and Friends railcard which will see 1/3 off train travel for adults and 60% off for kids.
It will save you on average £114 a year and costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years and is available to use for up to four adults travelling together with up to four kids
There's the Disabled person's railcard which like most of the other cards offers 1/3 off rail travel for you and a friend which results in average annual savings savings of up to £115 a year. It costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years.
And there's the Veterans Railcard . It offers 1/3 off most rail travel For UK Veterans and costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years.
It is for UK Veterans who served at least one day in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations.
