Have you ever wondered how you’re going to save up for your dream vacation? We’ve all been there, believe us. We understand how difficult it is to save money for travel, especially with the cost of living rising year after year and unexpected bills popping up everywhere. Whether it’s a costly MOT for your car or a kitchen leak, these things cost money… and it all adds up! Sometimes it’s just a bad habit, like spending your entire paycheque on clothes or takeout, but other times it’s simply a lack of knowledge about how to save effectively. Do you ever get paid and then your money mysteriously vanishes? Yes, we do! If we don’t keep track of where our money goes, it can seem to vanish without a trace. But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are numerous cost-effective ways to save money that you can take advantage of. Saving for travel can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin, but don’t worry – we’ve put together the ultimate guide to help you save for your next vacation down below.
Be an early riser.
According to Trainline, booking ahead of time can save you up to 50% on train tickets. Typically, advance tickets go on sale 12 weeks before your trip. These can sell out quickly, so sign up for Trainline alerts to ensure you beat other travellers to the punch. However, you can sometimes buy advance tickets as little as 10 minutes before boarding – it never hurts to ask.
Avoid peak hours.
During peak hours, especially if you travel through London, fares can skyrocket. This is when the stations are busiest, which is usually in the morning and late afternoon/early evening from Monday to Friday. If possible, try to avoid peak hours. Plus, it’s a great reason to have another beer after work.
Divide your train tickets.
Surprisingly, purchasing your train journey in segments rather than in its entirety can be less expensive. Assume you want to travel from Newcastle to London. You may discover that purchasing two tickets – one from Newcastle to York and one from York to London – is less expensive than purchasing a single ticket from Newcastle to London. The direct train stops in York anyway, so the only difference is your tickets, not your journey.
Purchase a railcard.
Just remember to bring your railcard with you at all times, as ticket inspectors frequently request to see it. Carrying your physical railcard or using a digital one on your phone is required.
Look for bargains.
Students, you may be able to save money on train tickets by using your NUS card. These discounts are typically combined with a railcard to provide even greater savings.
Unemployed, are you claiming jobseeker’s allowance, universal credit, or something similar? This saves you 50% on train tickets. If you travel frequently, you can also use a child-rate travelcard (even if you’re an adult – no need to shave the beard).
Children – Your child can travel for free with you until the age of five. After that, they receive a 50% discount on rail fares until they reach the age of 15. All Transport for London services are free for children under the age of ten (including underground, buses, etc).
Season pass holders may be eligible for an Annual Gold Card if they purchase an annual season ticket or travel card in the South of England. This provides discounts on non-season pass journeys, such as weekend trips and off-peak travel.
Be wary of booking fees.
Remember, there’s nothing stopping you from researching your train trip on one site and purchasing tickets on another.
Use your legal rights.
If your train is delayed or cancelled, you have every right to request a refund for unused tickets. Furthermore, most train companies compensate for delays of more than 30 minutes. Keep your tickets as proof of purchase if you need to make a claim through the company’s website.
