Train tickets in the UK are expensive, there is no doubt about it but there is a simple no pain way to reduce the bill. Let me show you what I really mean with the example of my recent journey from London (Euston Station) to Liverpool (Lime Street Station). The cheapest way buying two single tickets comes at £66.50 and the Anytime return ticket reaches sky-high £261. Alright, these prices give you flexibility as you may take any train but sorry, I am not willing to pay more than £200 just for having a few extra options. Come on, you can get a return flight ticket to almost every European destination with that money or invite your business partner for a truly spectacular meal in a Michelin star restaurant!
Here is what I did to shave these £200+ off my bill. First, some trains stop in Crewe, half an hour south of Liverpool. The cheapest ticket you can get from London Euston to Crewe with a 6:24am train comes at £19.50. Yes, you will get to Euston at around midnight but still, a journey of this kind takes all day anyway so if nothing else one may at least be able to reduce the bill! The morning train arrives in Crewe at 9:38am and the next train to Liverpool Lime Street station departs at 9:57am to arrive in Liverpool at 10:44am. The return ticket from Crewe to Liverpool Lime Street station is just £9.40 and the return train from Liverpool departs at 20:04pm arriving in Crewe at 20:45pm, which is more than enough to catch a 21:24pm train back to London Euston. So, in summary:
Outward journey [£19.50]
London Euston (06:24am) – Crewe (09:38am)
Crewe (09:57am) – Liverpool Lime Street (10:44am)
Return journey [£9.40]
Liverpool Lime Street (20:04pm) – Crewe (20:45pm)
Crewe (21:24pm) – London Euston (23:56pm)
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TOTAL: £28.90 + £6 (postage)= £34.90
The total saving of £226.10 from Anytime day return and £31.60 from the cheapest direct train! Now, this might not be for everyone, waking up so early in the morning and arriving back in the middle of the night but let me tell you something, I rather do just that than pay £226.10 more for being just a little bit more flexible.
Have you got similar stories yourself? Let us know about this, let’s spread the word!
