6 ways to save on rail tickets

Rail tickets will go on sale this week, offering discounts of up to 50% across thousands of popular routes. We look at the upcoming offers and other ways to save.

King Charles Spaniel puppy on train
(Image credit: © Getty images)

Rail fares can be notoriously expensive, despite the government taking action in recent years to reduce the impact of high inflation.

Last year, regulated train fares increased by up to 4.9% in England. They would have risen by 9% (in line with the Retail Prices Index), if the government hadn’t stepped in. From 2 March this year, fares are set to increase by another 4.6%. The price of most railcards will also rise by £5 on this date.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
Swipe to scroll horizontally
RailcardCost of cardSaving
16-17 saver£30 per year50% off most fares
16-25 railcard£30 for one year, or £70 for three years1/3 off travel
26-30 railcard£30 per year1/3 off travel
Disabled person’s railcard£20 for one year, or £54 for three years1/3 off travel for you and an adult companion
Family and friends railcard£30 for one year, or £70 for three years1/3 off travel for adults and 60% off for kids
Network railcard£30 per year1/3 off fares in London and the South East
Senior railcard£30 for one year, or £70 for three years1/3 off travel
Two together railcard£30 per year1/3 off fares when you travel together
Vereran’s railcard£30 for one year, or £70 for three years1/3 off most travel for you and a named companion
Katie Williams
Staff Writer

Katie has a background in investment writing and is interested in everything to do with personal finance, politics, and investing. She enjoys translating complex topics into easy-to-understand stories to help people make the most of their money.

Katie believes investing shouldn’t be complicated, and that demystifying it can help normal people improve their lives.

Before joining the MoneyWeek team, Katie worked as an investment writer at Invesco, a global asset management firm. She joined the company as a graduate in 2019. While there, she wrote about the global economy, bond markets, alternative investments and UK equities.

Katie loves writing and studied English at the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the theatre, reading novels, travelling and trying new restaurants with friends.

With contributions from