Train fares to rise by 4.9% in hours – five ways to save £100s NOW

MILLIONS of rail travellers will pay more for their train tickets within hours.

Fares will be hiked by 4.9% from Sunday, March 3, adding hundreds of pounds to costs for regular commuters.

Rail fares usually rise annually, but the government stepped in again to cap them amid soaring inflation.

It means this year’s hike remains significantly lower than July’s retail price index (RPI) rate of 9% – which is normally used to up fares.

They last increased by 5.9% in March 2023 – the biggest hike in a decade – but far below the July 2022 inflation rate of 12.3%.

The hike applies to fares regulated by the Government, such as season tickets on most commuter journeys and some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes.

Train companies can set their own ticket prices on unregulated fares.

The Department for Transport said its actions would keep regulated fares more than 9% lower than they would have been if increases matched inflation in the last two years.

However, the 4.9% increase will still see millions of commuters paying more for their rail journeys.

The current cost of a weekly commute from Oxford to London is £6,096, which will rise to £6,394 from March – £298 more.

Meanwhile, a season ticket from Tunbridge Wells to London will rise by £372 to £5,829.

It comes after a year of train strikes, which crippled the network and left thousands of commuters scrambling to get to work.

We’ve listed several ways to cut train travel costs to help soften the blow.

1. Buy season tickets now

If you’re travelling regularly, season tickets can save you cash compared to buying for a journey each day.

For example, a seven-day season ticket is likely to work out cheaper if you do the same journey on three or more days each week – but this can often be difficult to work out.

National Rail has a handy season ticket calculator on its website which can help you check if it’s worth it.

But if you commute at least five days a week, make the most savings with an annual season ticket.

For example, it would cost the average commuter £17.50 for a daily return trip between Rugby and Birmingham.

But those with an annual season ticket would spend as little as £5.47 per day, with a whole year’s fare coming out at £1,420.

As well as weekly, monthly and yearly, there is also a flexible season ticket, launched after Covid when more people started working from home, that covers eight days of travel within a 28-day period.

For anyone buying annual season tickets, it can pay to buy them just before ticket prices rise each year.

Do this by the end of today and you’ll lock in the lower price for the next 12 months when prices are higher. 

2. Get a railcard

Regular travellers could shave up to 60% off the price of a ticket each time with a railcard.

Those with a 16-25, senior (for over 60s) and “two together” (you and a friend or family member) railcard get a third off rail fares.

Adults with a family and friends card get a third off tickets and 60% off child fares.

These cards typically cost £30 a year but Tesco Clubcard holders can get one for £15 by exchanging their points for vouchers.

Depending on the journey, the savings can outweigh the costs after just a couple of trips.

See Railcard.co.uk for more information.

3. Book 12 weeks ahead

Network Rail releases its timetable 12 weeks in advance, so operators usually make their fares available at this time.

Just like plane tickets, the earlier you book the lower the price you’ll pay for your seat.

Sign up to Trainline’s ticket alert service and it’ll tell you when cheap advance tickets go on sale for a particular journey.

But remember to book your tickets directly with the operator to save the most cash.

You can also use the National Rail’s future travel chart which shows the furthest advance date that you can buy tickets.

4. Split your tickets

If you’re taking a lengthy train journey then you could save hundreds of pounds by splitting your tickets.

For example, if you’re travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly a single ticket will cost £47.

But get two tickets from Euston to Crewe and then Crewe to Manchester, and it will cost £30.60, a saving of £16.40.

You won’t need to change trains and National Rail lets you split your ticket as long as the train you’re on calls at the station you buy the tickets for.

Some ticket sites, like TrainPal, don’t charge a booking fee and splits your tickets for free.

5. Try to book direct

Booking directly through the train company you’re travelling with could save you a bit of cash.

National Rail’s website doesn’t sell tickets – but it does show the cheapest fare for your route and it’ll take you directly to the operator’s site.

Sites like Trainline and Raileasy are popular but charge booking fees of up to £1.75 per journey. 

You can find your local train operators official website by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk/travel-information/find-a-train-company/.