Experts share 5 travel hacks for saving on Christmas train travel this year

Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year, but for many, it can also be one of the most expensive. Travelling home to see family or venturing out for festive days out often comes with hefty train fares - especially if tickets are left until the last minute. With the holiday season approaching, knowing how to cut costs on your journeys has never been more important. Trainline, the UK's online booking platform, has shared its top five hacks for cutting costs on festive journeys.

Sarah Helppi, Trainline's UK Country Director, said: "Christmas is an expensive time of year but there are lots of ways to save big on train travel. Many people don't realise how much the savings can equate to - it's a lot more than a few extra mince pies, especially if you combine more than one of these hacks."

By planning early, using Railcards, and keeping an eye on alerts, travellers can make Christmas journeys much more affordable - and less stressful.

1. Book in advance
The simplest way to save is to book your tickets early. Advance fares for Christmas have now been released, and snapping them up can make a huge difference. Last year, travellers in the UK collectively missed out on £62 million by not booking Advance tickets for the festive period. For example, Trainline's internal data show that a trip from Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston could save an average of £138.37, while Leeds to London King's Cross could save £135.39. Other popular routes see similar savings, making early booking essential.

2. Stay alert with ticket alerts
Can't see Advance tickets for your preferred dates? Not all operators release their tickets at the same time. Trainline's Ticket Alerts allow you to input your chosen journey and receive an email as soon as tickets become available. This way, you can secure both savings and a reserved seat before routes sell out.

3. Know your railcard options
Railcards offer an easy way to knock a third off your ticket price. While the upfront cost is £35, it can be recovered in a single long-distance journey. For instance, a pair travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly could save £23.01 in one trip, while Edinburgh to London could save £25.31. Common misconceptions often stop people from saving: you can hold multiple Two Together Railcards for different partners, and the Family & Friends Railcard applies even for just one adult and one child.

4. Split your tickets
Splitting your journey into separate tickets can also reduce costs without changing your route. Previously a task for rail experts, Trainline's SplitSave tool now makes this easy, automatically calculating the best combination of tickets for maximum savings.

5. Check out coaches
If trains aren's running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, coaches provide a cost-effective alternative. Long-distance coach fares are often cheaper and still bookable via Trainline, offering flexibility for travellers during the busiest days of the year.