Train Travel Hack: Beat Expensive Fares and Save £15 on Tickets

Train Tickets can soar to astonishing prices in the UK, as travelers go to extreme measures to cut expenses.

Recently, a London resident gained attention online after they exchanged a £130 train ticket from Manchester to London with $57 flights — heading through Reykjavik , in Iceland .

It comes as no shock that railway travelers are finding creative methods to reduce expenses (luckily, not all of these hacks demand your own resources). passport ).

A particular workaround involves using split-ticketing, where you purchase separate tickets for each part of your route instead of acquiring a single direct ticket, which tends to be pricier.

There are numerous examples of how split-ticketing can help you save money across the UK railway network. At vtrik, we've already discussed what’s known as Didcot Dodge , which helps save money during the trip from Bristol Temple Meads to London.

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Rather than buying a single direct ticket for £138.70, travelers opt to purchase two separate tickets: one from the capital to Didcot Parkway for £43, and another from Didcot Parkway to Bristol for £43.80, resulting in savings of £54.90.

And now, here’s an additional trick you should keep in mind, affectionately referred to as the Chester Cheat.

This one is useful for any commuters who frequently travel between Shrewsbury and destination unspecified. Liverpool .

If you purchase an individual ticket from Shrewsbury to Liverpool, it will cost you £35.40. We verified these prices for May 28 at 8:27 am; however, the standard single fare remains consistent regardless of the departure time.

If you opt for the Chester Cheat, you'd purchase a ticket from Shrewsbury to Chester for £11.40 (taking the 8:27 AM train). Then, grab another ticket from Chester to Liverpool for £9.25, boarding the 9:31 AM train.

With split tickets, you'll only have to pay £20.65, making it £14.75 less expensive compared to booking a direct train. This offers travelers savings of up to 40%.

Perhaps what's even more perplexing is that the shift at Chester is a necessary step you'd have to take anyway—even if you opted for a direct but pricier ticket.

Absolutely, it might feel like an illicit activity, but everything is entirely legitimate. Websites like TrainSplit or SplitTicketing can assist you in finding the most cost-effective travel options.

However, ensure you compare prices to get the most cost-effective option – and if your divided journey requires switching trains, confirm you have ample time to change over.

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