Guide to Buying Train Tickets in the UK

When travelling in the UK, trains are the most convenient and comfortable way to get around. Britain was the first country in the world to have railways. It was also the first country in Europe to privatise its railways.

Different regions are operated by other railway operators, which makes train tickets in the UK the most complicated in the world. Different times of day, various companies and different ways of buying can make the price of a train ticket vary wildly. The complexity is on par with airline tickets.

So how can you get cheap train tickets in the UK?

Classification of Train Tickets in the UK

1. Anytime

This refers to the usual fare, just like the standard offer of air tickets and hotels, no discounts, buy as you go. The advantage is convenience: no need to book in advance, directly to the railway station and then buy tickets on board. This is a real dirt-cheap way of travelling by train in the UK, as the fares are costly. Unless there is an urgent need to leave immediately. Usually, a rational person would not buy this kind of ticket.

2. Off-peak

Like the London Underground, train tickets in the UK are divided into peak and off-peak. The aim is to spread the passenger flow, as an example.

However, each company defines peak periods differently. Generally, peak means between 6:30 am and 9:30 am and 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. You must check how the company defines it when buying a ticket.

Off-peak is divided into three kinds: Off-peak Single, Off-peak Day, and Off-peak Return. Generally, it is the most cost-effective way to buy return tickets.

If you are travelling, you can buy a round-trip ticket valid for one month. For example, if you purchase a one-month return ticket from London to Edinburgh, you can travel from Newcastle, York, Manchester, Birmingham and Oxford.

3. Advance

This kind of ticket can be found but not sought. It is tough to snatch. This kind of ticket is very cheap. The disadvantage is that the travelling time is fixed. If you miss the current train, you can’t use it. Refunds or changes to the ticket are usually not allowed.

4. First Class

UK train tickets are divided into first class and ordinary (second class). First-class seats are more spacious and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi available but very expensive. Second class, standard seats, and the environment vary according to each operating company.

Railway Discount Card

Travelling by train in the UK can be pretty expensive, especially during peak commuting times. Many London commuters rent or buy houses in the suburbs of London to escape the high prices in London. They take the train to work every day.

NOTE: You guys, especially if you rent an apartment, must consider the money for the train ticket when calculating the rent. Don’t save money on rent and take in more on train fares. It’s not worth it.

When buying train tickets in the UK, use the various discounts well. It can help you save a lot of money a year.

1. Annual, quarterly, and monthly passes

For commuters, there is no way to avoid the morning and evening rush hours. The best way to save money is to buy a monthly, seasonal or annual pass. It depends on your situation.

Purchasing tickets is very simple: bring a photo ID and personal ID (e.g. passport, driver’s licence, etc.). Go directly to the station counter and pay on the spot.

2. Young Person Card

As the name suggests, it’s a ticket for students, and like the London Underground, it’s 1/3 cheaper when you buy a train ticket.

A student is a person aged 16-25 enrolled in full-time study, including postgraduate students. You can apply with your passport and a letter from your school.

This card must be carried when travelling by train. When checking your ticket, you must show it to the ticket inspector along with your ticket. Failure to do so will result in a hefty fine.

3. 26-30 Railcard

In 2018, the UK introduced another 26-30 Railcard with an annual fee of £30. This discount card extends the student ticket to 30. It takes care of the younger people who have just started work.

You don’t need to be a full-time student, as long as you’re under 30 you can buy it and get the same discount as a student ticket. But the tragedy is that this ticket cannot be used during peak commuting hours. Yes, it cannot be used! What am I buying this ticket for, please?

4. Senior Railcard

The Senior Citizen Card is for people over 60 years old. They can save 1/3 of their money every time they buy a train ticket. But with older people in the UK taking the bus or driving themselves, there shouldn’t be many older people buying discounted train ticket cards.

5. Two Together Railcard

A long time ago, there were group tickets for buying train tickets in the UK. For example, you only had to pay for two tickets when you bought four. Then, many places stopped supporting group tickets. Then, later on, there was this discount card for two people travelling together, with the condition that they were 16 years old or older.

Two people travelling simultaneously (time and destination must be the same) would save 1/3 of the money, and the annual fee was £30. There is a yearly fee, but keeping it on one long trip is a good deal.

6. Family & Friends Railcard

This card supports up to 4 adults + 4 children. It’s perfect for a large family that travels a lot by train. With an annual fee of £30, you save 60% on tickets for children aged 5-15 and 1/3 on tickets for adults, so get a card and save on the annual fee in one trip.

7. Network Railcard

This card is a discount card from the South East train network. As the name suggests, it can only be used for discounted trains in this area, and the annual fee is £30. It’s perfect for people who travel to and from London frequently but don’t have to go through rush hour. Many of my friends around me have this card and often travel to and from London for food and drink. It’s also a perfect value card, as you can save on the annual fee in just a few visits.

8. Disabled Persons Railcard

This is a discount railcard for disabled people, which also saves 1/3 of the fare and is £20 a year.

Commonly Used Train Ticket Booking Websites in the UK

1. Trainline

Trainline is a one-stop shop for train and coach travel across the UK. Renowned for its user-friendly interface, it offers simplicity in booking, live train times, and lucrative savings through booking options. Their Price Prediction tool is visionary, guiding passengers to the optimal time to purchase tickets.

2. National Rail Enquiries

The National Rail Enquiries website provides comprehensive scheduling and ticketing information directly from the UK’s train operating companies. Trustworthy and authentic, it is the go-to resource for official train times, fare confirmations, and service updates.

3. Loco2

Loco2 (recently rebranded as Rail Europe) stands out for its dedication to environmental sustainability. It offers an authentic alternative to air travel by making booking train tickets across the UK and Europe seamless. Its vision is clear: connect people and places without costing the earth.

4. Virgin Trains

Virgin Trains (now Avanti West Coast) revolutionised UK rail travel. Despite the rebranding, its legacy of offering a premium travel experience with high-speed trains continues. Booking through its platform remains straightforward and reliable, true to its authentic and pioneering brand reputation.

5. First Great Western

This one operates mainly in the south-west of England and south Wales. It runs from London Paddington Station to Cornwall in the southwest corner of England and includes cities such as Reading, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth and other neighbouring routes.

6. Red Spotted Hanky

Red Spotted Hanky focuses on providing value to travellers with no booking fees and bookings that offer significant savings. Their visionary loyalty scheme, rewarding regular travellers and showing dedication to customer satisfaction, fosters a trustworthy relationship with users.

7. East Midlands Train

This company mainly operates routes in the centre of England. Starting from London, it travels through Leicester and Nottingham and arrives in Sheffield and cities along the way. Tickets can be booked directly from the official website, and discounts are sometimes very generous.

Tips for Buying Cheap UK train Tickets

Here are a few savvy tips to secure cheap train tickets that enrich your travel experience without draining your wallet:

• Book in Advance – Secure your tickets early, and you might snag those coveted early bird rates substantially lower than the standard fares.
• Opt for Off-Peak Hours – Travel during off-peak times when the demand is lower. Not only will you save money, but you’ll likely enjoy a quieter and more comfortable journey.
• Use Railcards – Various railcards offer up to 1/3 off on most rail fares. Whether you’re a student, senior, or travelling as a family, there’s a railcard for nearly everyone.
• Singles Can Be Cheaper – Buying two single tickets for your outbound and return trips can sometimes be more economical than a round-trip ticket.
• Slight Detours Might Pay Off – Consider alternative routes that may take a bit longer or involve changing trains but can come with a heftier discount.
• Avoid Booking Fees – Purchase tickets directly from train operators’ websites to avoid additional booking fees often charged by third-party agents.
• Travel in a Group – Group travel discounts can significantly reduce the cost per person on train tickets. Share the journey and the savings with friends or family.

How to Pick up Tickets Booked Online

After booking a train ticket online, you must go to the station to pick up the ticket. Take The Train Line, which I use most often, as an example: after booking online, you will get a confirmation code, and they will also send it to your email address.

The easiest way to pick up your tickets is to go directly to a ticket machine, insert your payment card, enter the confirmation code in the email, and then choose to print.