Are you looking to save money on your train tickets?
Book in advance with Trainsplit and save up to 93%* on your journey!
At Trainsplit, we are dedicated to helping commuters save money on train tickets when travelling on the UK rail network. Our journey planner makes it easy to find and book affordable train tickets by searching for various combinations of split tickets and alternative journeys.
One of the best ways to save money on train tickets is to book in advance. The earlier you book, the more savings you'll have. Our smart journey planner will do the hard work for you, so you don't have to. In fact, no other journey planner offers cheap alternative journey tickets like we do!
In addition to booking your tickets in advance, you can also save money by purchasing split tickets and using a railcard for additional discounts on your train fare. Follow our guide for more details on how to book cheap train tickets and stretch your money further.
Don't miss out on the savings offered by Trainsplit. Book your tickets today and start saving on your train journeys!
What is an alternative journey?
An alternative journey is a route that is slower or overtaken than the usual itinerary, but the tickets are generally cheaper. The journey may take slightly longer and include a change depending on the route, but the tickets usually offer significant savings. If you're looking for the cheapest train ticket available and have some extra time, then booking an alternative journey may be the best solution for you.
Our journey planner is the only one in the market capable of finding and booking cheaper alternative fares and split tickets. This allows you to maximise your savings on your train journey. Try it out and see the difference for yourself! Book your tickets today and start saving on your train travels.
How can I find cheap train tickets?
If you're on a budget or simply want to slash the cost of train travel, then follow our handy guide and find out everything you need to know about cheap train tickets and how to book them. Cheap train tickets, also known as Advance fares are fixed time tickets that are released up to 12 weeks prior to the travel date. We are significantly cheaper than flexible, walk on fares you buy at the station.
In this guide, we will explain how you can book cheap train tickets and find additional savings by splitting your tickets. Not only that, our one-of-a-kind journey planner booking offers cheaper alternative journeys not found anywhere else.
Split ticketing helps reduce the cost of your tickets by separating the journey into different portions because it works out cheaper than booking a conventional ticket. You may be carrying a few extra tickets along the way and in most cases you stay on the same train until you've reached your destination. Just tell our journey planner where and when you want to go and it will do the work for you.
Split your cheap train tickets with us and save up to 93.39%* on your journey!
*One of our customers saved £433.32 in 2021 and only paid £23.20 for their tickets.
When is the best time to book?
Booking in advance is one of the best ways to save money on your train tickets. By planning ahead and booking your tickets early, you can often find great deals and discounts.
Advance tickets are usually released 12 weeks before the travel date, but this can vary depending on the train company. Advance fares are available in limited quantities and the prices tend to increase once they are sold out. Our journey planner can not only find cheap train tickets for your journey, but can also find additional savings by splitting your tickets for you.
So, when is the best time to book your train tickets? The earlier, the better! Plan ahead and book your tickets as soon as possible to take advantage of the best deals and discounts. With our journey planner, finding and booking affordable train tickets has never been easier. Book your tickets today and start saving on your train journey!
More ways to save on your train journey
Are you a regular train traveller looking for ways to save money on your journeys? Consider getting a railcard!
Railcards can save you money on your train fares by offering a discount of up to 1/3 off the cost of your ticket. These cards are valid for a year and can be used in combination with split tickets, which can help you save even more money on your train journeys.
Our journey planner makes it easy to take advantage of railcard discounts and split tickets. It automatically works out when to apply the railcard discount and when not to, ensuring that you have valid split tickets for your entire journey.
In addition to using our journey planner online, you can also download the Trainsplit app and book your cheap train tickets on the go. With the app, you can easily find and book affordable train tickets whenever and wherever you need them.
If you're a regular train traveller, don't miss out on the savings offered by railcards and split tickets. Use our journey planner to book your tickets and start saving on your train journeys today!
How do I book cheap train tickets?
Step 1: Plan ahead
It is never too early to plan a trip. Start planning at least 2-3 months in advance as this gives you enough time to find the cheapest train tickets, suitable accommodation and activities.
Step 2: Download the mobile app
The Trainsplit app is free to download on both iOS and Android devices. Book your journeys on the go, and your journeys will be listed on the app, ready for when you travel.
Step 3: Set up ticket alerts
Use the ticket alert system offered by the train companies to find out when the cheap train tickets go on sale. Once you receive the notification that the cheap Advance fares are released, book your journey with us so that you can save even more with split tickets or alternative journeys (trains that are slightly slower but cheaper) for your travel. Plus, we don't charge a booking fee!
Step 4: Travel as a group or use your railcard for additional discounts
If you're travelling with friends, then it may be cheaper to book together as a group. Groupsave saves you up to 34% on your tickets for groups of 3–9 adults.
Don't have the numbers? Use your railcard instead.
If you don't have a railcard and you travel regularly by train, then perhaps you should consider getting one. There are different types of railcards available, and they save you up to a third on your travel.
The railcard fee pays off after a few journeys.
Step 5: Split your tickets
We all know by now that ticket splitting, or split ticketing, helps save on the cost of your train travel by breaking the tickets down into different sections, and this is key to finding cheap tickets. Don't worry, the journey remains the same as when you buy a standard through ticket, and in most cases, there's no need to get off the train. Just follow your itinerary; it tells you when and where to get off or if you need to stay on board until you reach your destination.
When it's time to book your tickets, tell our journey planner where and when you want to travel, and it will do the work for you. It will even tell you how much extra you're saving if it finds you a split journey. Have a look at the earlier or later times, as it could be cheaper to travel at different hours of the day.
Step 6: Avoid rush hour crowds
Travel off peak when it is less crowded; the tickets will be cheaper as peak time tickets cost more!
Step 7: Two singles can be more expensive than a return
A return journey is most often cheaper than two singles because of the way tickets are priced. Make sure you do some comparisons before you book!
Step 8: Final checks before you secure your cheap train tickets
Make sure everything is in order before you hit the "Pay Now" button. Are the dates and times correct? Did you select the correct amount of passengers and use the right railcard?
Step 9: Tickets booked, you're all set!
Your booking is now confirmed, and you're ready to go.
If you've made a mistake on your booking, then use the link at the bottom of your booking confirmation for a full refund within 2 hours of the booking.
Step 10: Ticket collection
If you've selected E-Tickets, then print a hard copy of your tickets at home and store them in your luggage. Unfortunately, not all journeys / routes are E-Ticketable. If E-Tickets are available on the route you have selected then you will be able to select this during the checkout process.
Ticket on Departure tickets can be collected from any National Rail station anytime before your journey. Make sure you arrive at the station ahead of time to print your tickets (you'll need the booking reference and the same card that was used to make the purchase).