NHS Train Discount and Deals

Travelling by train can be one of the easiest ways to travel – if you know how to do it correctly. Whether you’re travelling with children or are embarking upon a solo adventure by being prepared you can get the most out of your train journey – and save yourself time, money, and stress along the way! Here are our top 5 train travel tips.  

1.  Book your tickets in advance  

We recommend that as soon as you know when and where you are going to be travelling then you get your tickets booked right away. The sooner you book your tickets the cheaper they will be. Ensuring that your tickets are booked in advance also means that you can prepare the rest of your trip ahead of time so that you aren’t stressed nearer the time.  

2.  Plan your route (and alternatives) 

To make your trip as stress-free as possible we recommend that you plan your route in advance. This is especially important if you are travelling in an unfamiliar area or have to make train changes along your journey. From time to time, you may find disruptions on certain networks or routes, so it is worth planning alternative routes so that you can have a back up route to take. 

3.  Avoid peak times  

If possible, try to avoid travelling at peak times as not only will be less stressful but it can also save you money. Peak times are usually when people are heading to school or work and train carriages are more in demand. Trains usually start to get busier between 7am and 9am and again in the evening around 4.30pm to 6pm. Similarly, weekends can get pretty busy as people head out on days out.  

4.  Take advantage of discounts 

We think that saving money is lovely, so would always encourage you to make them most of NHS discounts on trains. We have a range of NHS train discounts that you can choose from, including trainline NHS discounts, northern rail discounts and access to money-saving railcards. Be sure to always check out what discounts are available to you before paying full price for your tickets!  

5.  Get app happy  

Depending on which network you are travelling you may be able to download their app which will keep you up to date on any delays, platform changes or announcements. On some train apps, such as Trainline, you can also get exclusive trainline offers and can buy tickets on the app too!