Mn experts of everything - how do I get the cheapest possible train tickets

[LimitIsUp]

I am sure many of you are more money savvy than me. I am not a regular train traveller and dd (17) and I are travelling to London from Southampton on Saturday 17th August and returning on Sunday 18th August. I don't want to pay more than I have to for the fare - any tips?

Ooh watching. I always end up paying more than anyone else

Me too (sigh)

Moneysavingexpert.com has a section about train tickets.

That is my go to for "Find the cheapest anything"

Thanks Bertie, I will take a look

I have a Family and Friends railcard and use the cheapest fares function on Trainline.

But if you really want to go for it, MSE has a whole page:
www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-train-tickets/

try a ticket splitter website - I just googled one and was able to save about 40% on the standard price of a recent journey I booked

Ah, x posted with Bertie.

If you travel by train regularly, get a Network Railcard. It costs £30 for a year and saves you a third on most journeys (it would save you over £16 on that journey alone!).

You are best to book well in advance (too late for that little gem...) But also a friend and family Railcard may make it cheaper and lasts a year if you are planning other journeys.

Look on the South West trains website, sometimes there are special offers. Don't book through Trainline. There used to be a travel card called 'Two Together' whereby you could get a third off the cost of the ticket. Obviously, you need to pay the initial cost of the card but it can prove to be very good value.

I think split ticketing is the way to go.

Don’t get a TwoTogether card! They are a rip off as they only work when you and the other assigned person travel the same journey together. A Network Railcard costs exactly the same and covers you if you travel alone, or you and up to any 3 other people if you travel in a group.

I am going to buy a Network Railcard but apparently I have to wait for 5 days for it to come through - but I will use it a few times once I have it

You can buy them from stations and get them immediately.

Split your tickets!

MSE has a guide to this, and there are Split ticketing sites.

Get a Network card. Your journey might be in the area for that card, and you may actually save the cost of it in one journey. You can buy it at the station, rather than waiting for 5 days.

Does your DD have a student card?

Ticketsplitter can work really well - but only if you are travelling outside of peak travel times. Make sure your DD has her student railcard as well.

I use a ticket splitting site to see where the legal splits are. Then I take that info, and go to the actual train operating company website, and book online through them. The ToC sites are always the cheapest. Other sites tend to charge a fee.

It's probably the delights of SouthWestern trains on that route ...

Thanks Sand - I will pop down to local train station

Dd doesn't have a student card but I am going to wait for September when the new 16 and 17 year old railcard is launched which gives her 50% off (better than the student card)

I get the bus now, cheaper and sometimes just as quick. From soton there are south west trains and south eastern, look at their websites for weekend offers.