Stop Overpaying for Train Travel With These 5 Simple Money Saving Hacks

Book in advance

Everyone loves a bargain and there are ways to buy train tickets that will leave you with your pockets unharmed and a smile of your face. Buying your tickets early is the best and most convenient way to get what you want at a reasonable price. If you look for tickets roughly 12 weeks before your trip you are likely to find tickets at lower prices simply because of the way the train network plan their services.

Look for the deals

You can also buy two separate tickets for the same journey and it can work out cheaper. If you split your journey and buy your train trip in halves, it is cheaper than buying a longer fair. Keep in mind, some splits will involve switching trains, try and avoid these if you can. Also, if you buy in a large group you are likely to get your hands on lower prices because it benefits both you and the train operator. Make sure if you are planning a group trip that you buy all of the tickets at one time.

Finding a seat

For an undisturbed and convenient trip, you want to get settled as quickly as possible. Making sure you sit in the right place is paramount to let you get what you paid for and to avoid any unnecessary confusion. Train seats are only reserved from stop to stop and may appear to be reserved when they are not. If you don’t have reserved seating and there are no seats available, have a closer look at the reserved seating and see if the seat is reserved for the period at which you are on the train.

Keep your bag with you

There is plenty of space on trains for you to stow your bag somewhere close and checking your bag with the train is unnecessary. This is not only more convenient, but it means you are responsible for it. Keep in mind you should stow your bag close to you and within sight as an extra precaution against ill-intentioned opportunists.

Keep yourself busy

Trains can be long and uneventful and one of the main causes of short temp. Make sure you use your time productively whilst traveling by train and your journey won’t feel half as long and you are likely to feel better. This can be anything from planning your trip, watching a movie or simply catching up on some well-needed sleep.