Buying train tickets, particularly on the day of travel, can be an expensive business.
But there is a way to avoid the most expensive prices and snap up a better deal when travelling by rail.
Split ticketing is a method which savvy commuters have been using to save money, and it is simple and easy to do.
All it requires is a bit of research, but with some practice, it can become second nature.
What is split ticketing?
Put simply, split ticketing means instead of having one train ticket for a journey, the trip is broken down in to parts so you have two or more tickets.
For example, if you want to take a train from London to Sheffield, you could get a ticket from London to Leicester, and then from Leicester to Sheffield.
Because of the nature of the train system in the UK, booking tickets to an intermediary station and then from there to your true destination often works out far cheaper than a straightforward ticket.
How does split ticketing work?
This method works in exactly the same way as an ordinary train tickets, and railcard discounts are still applicable.
A machine at the station won’t offer split ticketing, but it is completely legal, as long as the train you take stops at the point where you split the fare. You don’t even need to change trains to enjoy the benefit.
The best savings can be had on cross country journeys, but direct routes see great reductions too.
Other ways to save money on train fares
Split ticketing is one way to save a fortune, but it is not the only thing travellers can do.
Booking as early as possible is the best way to save money, and can be up to 80 per cent cheaper. Get a railcard, as this is an easy way to save up to a third.
And finally, compare different routes and train operators for the best prices.
