One of the best ways to purchase cheap rail tickets is to search the web. Many rail terminals are are overcrowded, especially during seasonal travel times. As a consequence, many European and American rail systems provide customers with cheaper online fares to compensate for overcrowding and to provide convenient booking. Not only will you save money, but you can also easily compare prices and other trip information using promotional index sites and official rail sites. You can use online booking to find many bargains, including next-day sales and advanced purchases.
Patrick Barkham of the Guardian suggests searching for fares at least 12 weeks before your trip. Rail companies maintain a 12-week timetable on ticket sales for all available seats during the month. To ensure that tickets sell, railways release the cheaper fares towards the beginning of this 12-week period, and gradually increase prices as traveling dates approach. Keep looking online from 12 to four weeks before your travel date, as unexpected issues may delay the release of less costly fares.
Selecting route options is another idea for cheap rail travel. If you have multiple route options, it makes sense to select the best route for your budget. Even so, cheaper route options are not always advertised. Although rail companies and promotional sites are obligated to sell you the cheapest tickets for the route you request, they are not obligated to tell you if a different route will save you money. Therefore, call the rail operator or research possible routes online to locate the cheapest one. You may have to pay for a split-ticket fare, or a fare divided into individualized stops that lead to your final destination.
Rail companies provide year-round travel advantages for persons that fall within a particular group. For instance, you can find cheap rail tickets if you are a college student or if you fall within the senior age group. Persons with disabilities may also receive rail discounts. When you are a frequent rail traveler, you can take advantage of free miles or points programs to save on train travel. Some rail companies offer discounted pre-purchase passes or cards.
