Martin Lewis’ MoneySaving Expert reveals exact dates to get cheapest Christmas train tickets
TRAVELERS could save cash on their festive travels this year, after Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert revealed the best times to book.
The first set of train tickets for the Christmas period have now been released and Brits are being urged to snap them up as soon as possible.
With just two months to go before the big day, the website has warned you could miss out on the cheapest price if you don't book now.
Advance train tickets are released 12 weeks before the date of travel and are generally cheaper than other types of fare.
They are only released in limited numbers for each service and once tickets are gone they're gone.
Advance tickets are available now covering you for the whole of the festive calendar up until January 20, 2023.
Read More on The Sun
But if you leave it until the last minute, you could face paying an extortionate amount.
Once the cheaper tickets have sold out, the train company can then increase their prices especially if it's a last minute booking.
The MSE website explains how a Nottingham to Manchester return, departing on December 23 and coming back on January 3, currently costs £32.
But this is likely to increase in price especially when tickets are in demand.
Most read in Money
Train operators taking Christmas bookings for cheap advance fares
We've listed below the current periods tickets are available for each train firm.
But as tickets are released regularly the periods covered will change.
It's worth checking and also with train firms directly.
- Avanti West Coast - currently on sale for weekdays up to January 16 and weekends up to October 29
- Chiltern Railways - currently on sale for weekdays up to December 9 and weekends up to December 4
- CrossCountry - currently on sale for weekdays up to December 16, Saturdays up to December 10 or 17 depending on route, and Sundays up to December 4 or December 18, depending on route
- East Midlands Railway - currently on sale for weekdays up to January 6, and weekends up to December 11
- Grand Central - currently on sale for weekdays up to March 28, and weekends up to March 26
- Greater Anglia - currently on sale for weekdays up to to December 16, and weekends up to December 11
- GWR - currently on sale for weekdays up to January 13, Saturdays up to January 7, and Sundays up to January 1
- LNER - currently on sale for weekdays up to December 20, weekends up to December 18
- Hull Trains - currently on sale weekdays up to January 17, and weekends up to January 1
- London Northwestern Railway - currently on sale for weekdays up to December 23, weekends up to November 20
- Lumo - currently on sale for weekends up to December 18, and weekdays up to December 23
- Northern - currently on sale for weekdays up yo December 23, and weekend up to December 18
- Southeastern - currently on sale for weekdays up to January 16, and weekends up to December 18
- ScotRail - currently on sale for weekdays up to December 16, and weekends up to December 11
- Southern - currently on sale for weekdays up to January 15, and weekends up to December 10
- South Western Railway - currently on sale up to January 13, though multiple exclusions apply
- TransPennine Express - currently on sale weekdays up to December 9, Saturdays up to December 10, and Sundays up to December 4
- West Midlands Railway - currently on sale weekdays up to December 23, weekends up to November 20
How else can I save money on my tickets?
There are other ways to save cash on your journey back home for the festive season.
Here's six hacks to use to shave money off your bill.
Split tickets
Instead of buying a ticket that goes directly to your destination, you could save money by splitting your journey up.
There are websites and apps that can help you to do this, such as TrainPal, Split Ticketing and Trainsplit.
These websites will show how much you could save by buying separate tickets for each leg of the journey, instead of direct tickets.
For example, you can save £48 just by breaking up your journey from Bournemouth to Milton Keynes, costing you £38 instead of £86.
Buy a single, not a return
Booking two single tickets can actually work out a lot cheaper than booking a return journey.
Money-saving blogger Jordon Cox, dubbed Britain’s Coupon Kid, previously told The Sun: “Have a look around at single fares each way, to see if you can grab a bargain instead.”
Jordon is best known for travelling from Sheffield to Essex via Berlin, saving £7.72 and getting a free mini break on his way back.
Get cash back
You can get free money by using cashback websites to book your tickets.
The sites work by agreeing offers with companies which they pass on to customers so you can get money back on your shopping.
You need to set up an account and log in, then click through to the offer to buy your tickets.
For example, Top Cashback currently has a deal where you can get up to £7 cash back booking through Trainline.
Railcard discounts
Buying a railcard could save you hundreds of pounds a year.
In total there are nine types of railcard available - you can check them all out on railcard.co.uk’s website.
With the 16-25s, the 26-30s, and the Family & Friends railcard you can save a third on your fares - they cost £30 each.
Work out if they will save you money based on your annual train fare spend.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re spending over £90 a year then they should be worth the up-front cash.
Claim cash for delays
You can get at least 25% of your fare back if your train is delayed by 15 minutes or more under the nationwide “delay repay” scheme.
The amount of money you can get back depends on how long your train was delayed by - but you’ll get a full refund if your train was delayed by 120 minutes or longer.
Ask for a Delay Repay claim form from your train operator if you think you’re eligible. The details will also be on their website.
Set up price alerts
Ticket booking websites often have alerts you can sign up which can help you track when to buy fares at the cheapest price.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
Trainline’s ticket alert tool is free and claims to save 61% on your tickets when you book ahead instead of buying them on the day.
However, make sure to check fees before booking - you might end up paying more than you thought you would.