Cheap London Train Tickets: Your Ultimate Guide
A city such as London is so very busy and full of exciting things to do. No matter if you are a tourist or a local travelling, you will definitely save some money by finding cheap train tickets. In this guide, we will help you to go about getting the best deals on train tickets in London.
1. Plan Your Journey in Advance
For those who can plan ahead, one of the best ways to search out cheap train tickets in London is to plan ahead. It is not uncommon for train companies to release their cheapest tickets some months before the travel date. If you book early, you will take advantage of a better offer and not experience the last minute rush.
Use Comparison Websites
If you consider the maximum capacity allowed on board, some trains are more crowded than others. This means that comparison websites such as Expedia, Trainline or Skyscanner can be your best friend when looking for the cheapest train tickets. Like most pricing aggregators, these websites bring together prices from several train providers and on one search will show you up to three or more options depending on how much travel is required, in order to offer you a choice of the cheapest option.
Consider Off-Peak Travel
A journey during the less busy time of the day is called off peak train travel. Not all trains are the same and if there are off peak trains available, you can easily save the majority of the way you pay. These tend to be off peak hours when it is late morning, late afternoon and late evening. To find the specific off peak time for your journey check the train companies website.
2. Take Advantage of Railcards
Saving on train travel is great by way of railcards should you be London bound. There are different types of railcards; there are ones for customers, families and seniors. Two Together Railcard, 16-25 Railcard and Senior Railcard are some of the popular railcards. If you travel frequently, these cards give you discounts of up to 30% on train fares and therefore these cards are well worth investing in.
Check Eligibility and Benefits
If you are eligible to buy, then check out whether it is worth buying before buying a railcard. Some railcards have age restriction, some require to travel with other. To make this choice, it is important to assess how your travel habits work.
Buy Railcards Online
You can buy train company Railcards online from the train company’s website or National Rail. Once you have your railcard, always carry it with you whenever you are travelling on the railway, because it may be necessary to produce the ticket as well as the card.
3. Traveling during times of minimal demand depends on having a flexible set of travel dates.
Travel dates can be used to render a train ticket cheaper, especially if you’ve got some flexibility there. Weekdays or less popular travel days, usually, costs less for traveling. Avoid weekends or public holidays as they are usually busy and you will be able to get better deals along the way.
Consider Splitting Your Ticket
Booking in two pieces and getting two tickets is known as split ticketing. Buying multiple tickets for individual legs of the journey on some services can be less expensive than one single fare. This strategy works assuming your train stops at intermediate stations on the journey. A split ticketing calculator can be used to calculate the best split ticketing options or you can ask a booking agent.
4. We recommend that you go to look for Special Deals and Promotions
Deal and promotion are the standard things which the train companies do frequently and particularly in the off peak periods or some special occasion. To stay up to date, check their websites or newsletters and see if there will be any discounted fares and promotional offers.
Travel as a Group
For group travel, check whether any group discounts are available if traveling with a group of friends or family. Reduced fares for group bookings is something offered by some train companies as a method of saving you a lot of money.
Consider Season Tickets
For people who regularly commute to London this is a cheap option. It means season tickets are good for given period, and that’s very much cheaper than buying single tickets ever day. Visit the train company’s website regarding the different types of season tickets and select the one that best fits your wants.
5. Check for Refunds and Exchanges
Life is unexpected, things get changed. Check the refund and exchange policy with the train company before buying train ticket. If you have to change your travel dates or cancel your journey altogether, you will know what an airline’s policies will be. However, if you have a flexible ticket you know that some train companies will offer no cancellation charges which is a big plus for peace of mind.
Consider Travel Insurance
At first, train tickets aren’t incredibly expensive, but it’s always a good idea to think about travel insurance for the number of reasons we would with any other form of travel. Things unexpected enough to cancel your trip and incur a fee, or be delayed or involved in an emergency should be covered by travel insurance. It is advisable to read the terms and conditions of the travel insurance you plan to obtain, to know if it includes your specific needs.
Overall, I can say that cheap train tickets in London are definitely possible indeed, provided that you spend a little bit of planning and searching. By booking in advance, using a railcard, being flexible with your choices of travelling date, accessing special deals and getting to know the refund and exchange policies you will save very substantial money on your train travel. However, don’t forget to save every penny to further have the chance to explore all London has to offer!
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