Save hundreds of pounds on your rail commute by spreading the cost of an annual season ticket.
Every January trains fares jump up, and 2020 will be no different. It’s been announced tickets will go up by an average of 2.7% from January 2nd. And even though it’s less than the increases in 2018 and 2019, it’s still a harsh increase for many frustrated train travellers.
The same tricks will apply to cut your fares, such as buying in advance or splitting the ticket, but what about regular commuters?
Well, the best way to pay less is usually to buy a season ticket, with a 12-month ticket offering the biggest savings. BUT these annual passes require you to stump up a lot of cash upfront. And that’s not easy for everyone.
Will a season ticket be better for you?
In most cases, a season ticket will be cheaper than paying day-in, day-out. It’s worth taking five minutes to work out the cost of your commute to see what savings can be made. Remember, you won’t actually be going every day, so account for weekends and holidays.
It won’t be the best option for everyone though – especially anyone part-time For most of my working life I’ve bought an annual season ticket. But when I reduced mytime at the day job a couple of years ago doing this no longer made sense.
When to get a season ticket
If you haven’t got one and are thinking about it, get it before January 2nd so you can avoid the fare increase. However, even if you buy it before this date, if it starts from the 2nd onwards you’ll still pay the new higher price.
Timing your season ticket
Of course, if you already have one then you can’t buy it to beat the increase and will have to wait for renewal. It can sometimes be worth timing when you buy your season ticket, and possibly getting a week or month-long passes to keep yourself going. For example, If the dates worked, I always used to time my holiday close to the end of a season ticket, and start the new one when I returned.
Ways to spread the cost of an annual season ticket
Find out if your work will give interest-free free loan
This is usually the best option – if your work offers it. It’s better than using savings too, as you can leave that money earning interest elsewhere.
Here’s how it usually works:
- You fill in an application form with your HR dept. Expect to provide proof of the season ticket cost. You can also usually choose how many repayments you’d like to make.
- Once it’s been signed off, the full amount is paid to your bank with your salary
- You’ve then got the cash to buy the season ticket
- Each month the loan will be taken from your pay before it gets to you.
Use a 0% interest purchase credit card
As with any big purchase you don’t have savings for, a 0% credit card helps you spread the cost. Don’t forget that you are borrowing money, so you need to make sure you pay off the debt to avoid high-interest payments when the promotional 0% period ends. You’ll also have to make at least the minimum repayment every month. Personally I’d pay it off as quickly as possible.
Try a commuter club
These are loans on annual season tickets, with payments spread out over 10 or 11 months. You will pay interest, but it’s still cheaper than buying monthly season tickets. The main one is Commuter Club.
Opt for monthly or weekly season tickets instead
If you can’t do any of these, then most of the time you’ll still save money with a monthly, or even weekly, season ticket.
However, if you are in London and use pay as you go via Oyster or contactless there are daily and weekly caps. These usually work out better than weekly season tickets You can see the different fares and caps on the TFL website.
Extra season ticket benefit in the South
Something I really miss about my annual season ticket is the free Gold Card. This railcard gave me a third off most fares in southern England for you and up to three other adults. You get this with a TFL season ticket too, not just mainline rail.
Once you have it you can also buy a different railcard for £10 for a friend or family member.
My tricks to cut the cost of train tickets
You can read more about these and other tricks I use to make train travel vaguely affordable in my10 tricks for cheap trainsguide.
FAQs
Yes. If you're taking the train five or more days a week, a Monthly Season Ticket is much cheaper than buying four Weekly Season Tickets.
How do I get my annual Gold Railcard? ›
When you buy an adult Annual Season ticket or Annual Travelcard at a station within the Annual Gold Card area and the origin and/or destination are also in the Annual Gold Card area, you are automatically issued with an Annual Gold Card or a Gold Record Card if your Season ticket is issued on smartcard or an Oyster ...
How can I reduce my train ticket prices? ›
Travel at quieter times
You may have to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes. On longer distance journeys, if you travel in a peak period 1 way but want to return when it is less busy, look at a combination of Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime fares to get the best deal.
How to increase season ticket sales? ›
Offer Perks for Season Ticket Holders
Incentivize purchasing season tickets; if there are no rewards, patrons will not see the benefits of securing their seats for the entire season up front. A few ideas for season ticket holders perks include: Access to the best seats in the house.
Can you buy a train ticket for a year? ›
An Annual Season Ticket allows you to travel at any time of day and as much as you want for a year between the two stations shown on your ticket – that's so much cheaper than buying monthly or weekly train tickets throughout the year!
How much is a yearly railcard? ›
Railcard Prices
| Type | Price (1-year Railcard) | Price (3-year Railcard) |
|---|
| Network Railcard | £30 | n/a |
| Senior Railcard | £30 | £70 |
| Two Together Railcard | £30 | n/a |
| Veterans Railcard | £30 | £70 |
5 more rowsThe Senior Railcard is available for anyone aged 60 or over to buy. You can apply on the Senior Railcard website using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID. Or, you can apply in person at most staffed railway stations.
How much is Senior Railcard discount? ›
Details. With a Senior Railcard anyone 60 years or over can save 1/3 on all Standard and First Class, Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares for £30. Take a look at all the ticket types you can make savings on with a Senior Railcard. There are plenty of ways you can use your Railcard, for both long and short trips.
What is a gold Railcard? ›
The Gold Card is similar to a Network Railcard. Entitles the holder plus up to three adults and four children to discounts on most rail fares in the Network area. Adult travellers receive a third off rail fares.
Can I get a Railcard for free? ›
One of the main ways that students are able to get a free 16-25 railcard is through student bank accounts. Many banks offer similar student accounts so try to differentiate themselves from other banks by offering a free railcard. One of the main banks to offer such a perk is Santander.
In particular, you might find it cheaper to travel before 09:30 on Saturdays, and after 17:00 on Sundays. However, if you're travelling on Greater Anglia or Thameslink for example, the cheapest day to travel by train is a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday.
Can you share a train season ticket? ›
For journeys starting outside the London Fare Zones Area, the Travelcard Season Ticket allows travel by train between the starting station and the London Fares Zones Area boundary, and then unlimited travel within the zones paid for. 1.5. You cannot transfer your Season Ticket to another person.
Why are season ticket sales declining? ›
Fans have become more comfortable with buying single-game tickets from the team or resale sites. Season-ticket prices are rising, so that giving away tickets for games fans can't go to is unsustainable. And fans have less tolerance for trying to resell games they're not attending.
Can you profit from buying season tickets? ›
The profitability of season tickets hinges on the demand for the events included in the package. Sporting events featuring popular teams, highly anticipated concerts, or blockbuster theater productions are more likely to yield profitable resale opportunities.
Why are season ticket sales important? ›
Selling season tickets allows you to secure revenue in advance, providing financial stability and the ability to plan and invest in future events. The upfront commitment from season ticket holders can also help mitigate the financial risks associated with event planning and budgeting.
How long does a monthly season ticket last? ›
Monthly Season tickets are valid for a full calendar month.
How many train tickets can be booked in a month? ›
A person can book up to 24 tickets in a month from one user ID on the IRCTC website. If you are planning to travel extensively with your family in a month, make sure you go through these limits set by IRCTC and adhere to them.
Does a train season ticket include return? ›
What are Season tickets? Season tickets allow you unlimited travel between two nominated stations (or across Travelcard Zones, if in London) on any day with complete flexibility. You can choose how long they last, up to a year, and make as many back and forth trips within that period as you please.
What is a Flexi season ticket? ›
A Flexi Season ticket gives you any 8 days of travel in 28 days, at any time. And you don't need to choose the days in advance. So, if you are working from home some days, and commuting to the office on others, it could be a good choice. If you travel more frequently, then a Season ticket might be right for you.
