Rail fare increase 2024: Which services will cost more? Plus how to still get cheap train tickets

Rail passengers face another big hike in train ticket prices this year, despite the government stepping into cap the rise below inflation. Here we explain how you can help keep the cost of rail travel down.

Regulated train fares and season tickets across England and Wales rise each year based on the previous July’s RPI figure plus 1%. This July, the RPI measure of inflation came in at 9%, meaning that travelers face paying 10% more for their fares.

The Department for Transport (DfT) capped the increase at 4.9%. However that is still above the current rate of inflation which is at 4%. The rise comes into effect on 3 March rather than in January.

While there isn’t much you can do about inflation, there are ways to find cheaper train tickets.

In this article, we cover:

• How much will rail fares go up by in 2024?
• Which services are affected?
• Will TfL and London Underground ticket prices change?
• Seven ways to get cheaper train fares
• What are your rights during a strike?

Read more: How to reduce your fuel bill as petrol and diesel soar to record levels

How much will rail fares go up by in 2024?

The annual rise in regulated train fares across England and Wales is linked to RPI inflation. Usually tickets increase every January based on the previous July’s figure plus 1%.

In 2022, the government stepped in to cap the rise at 5.9% because July 2021’s RPI was a huge 11.8%. The increase also came in March instead of at the start of the new year.

Last year the government announced the next price rise in 2024 would not go up in line with inflation but 4.9%

For example – the price of an annual season ticket from Brighton to London:

Year	Annual price	Percentage Increase	Annual price rise	Price rise since 2021/22
2021/22	£5,110
2022/23	£5,304	3.2%	+ £194	+ £194
2023/24	£5,616	5.9%	+ £312	+ £506
2024/25	£5,891	4.9%	+ £275	+ £781

Passengers in Scotland face an even higher increase in fares with ScotRail increasing ticket prices from April by 8.7%.

Which train services are affected?

Only regulated train fares across England and Wales are being capped at 4.9% increase. These only cover about 45% of all fares, including:

• Season tickets on most commuter journeys
• Travelcards
• Some off-peak return tickets
• Anytime tickets around major cities

Many fares may go up more than the government’s suggested cap because they are not regulated by the DfT. These are prices that are set by the train company and include first class, advance any time and off-peak day tickets.

Will TfL and London Underground ticket prices change?

TfL fares in London have been frozen until 2025. This includes fares on the:

• Tube
• DLR
• London Overground
• Elizabeth line
• Bus
• Tram

Longer period caps for bus and tram fares, including weekly, monthly and annual prices will also be frozen.

However, National Rail fares and those aligned with them (such as Travelcard fares) will rise by an average of 4.9%.

Why are rail fares rising?

Rail fares rise every year, usually in line with RPI inflation. The government says that the annual increase is necessary to support the long-term financial stability of the railway and deliver reforms to the service.

Between July to September 2023, rail revenues were down 78% from pre-pandemic levels, taking inflation into account. Taxpayers provided £12 billion in support for the railways or over £420 per household during 2022-23.

“Changed working patterns after the pandemic means that our railways are still losing money and require significant subsidies. This [4.9%] rise strikes a balance to keep our railways running, while not overburdening passengers,” said Transport Secretary, Mark Harper.

Seven ways to get cheap train fares

While there is nothing that we can do about price rises, there are ways that you can reduce what you pay for tickets. You may need to be flexible and organised.

1. Travel off-peak

Traveling off-peak whenever you can, and avoiding the commuter rush hours can save a significant amount of money.

For example, an the 14:07 off-peak return ticket from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly will set you back £26. If you take the 07:30 train, during the morning rush hour, your ticket will cost £39.10 – an extra £13.10 every day.

Exact off-peak times vary by rail company, but a rough guide is any time outside 9.30am-4pm, and after 7pm on weekdays. 

Super off-peak tickets let you travel cheaply during the least busy periods on the rail network, normally 10am-3.30pm and after 7.15pm Monday to Friday, or during weekends and bank holidays.

2. Book in advance

Buying your tickets in advance could save you as much as 80%, according to Raileasy.

Advance fares are usually released 12 weeks in advance of departure, but they go up in price closer to the travel date and the cheapest deals sell out fast.

However, some rail companies offer last-minute cheap tickets. Northern Rail, for example, lets you buy advance single tickets up to 15 minutes before departure.  

The downside of advance tickets is that they are typically only available as single tickets between two destinations, and they are non-flexible (only valid for the date and service shown on the ticket) and non-refundable. But they do often allow you to reserve a seat. 

TheTrainline.com* has a ticket alert tool that notifies you when advance tickets for your chosen rail company go on sale, so that you can snap them up quickly.

3. Get a railcard

Railcards* save you about a third on off-peak train fares and London Tube travel, and there are a lot of options available.

They include:

• 16-25 Railcard
• Senior Railcard (for over-60s)
• Two Together
• Disabled Persons
• 26-30
• Family & Friends
• Veterans of the armed forces 

Most of these cost £30 a year.

For example, a journey from Newcastle to York would cost you £18.50 with a railcard, instead of £28 While a trip from London to Edinburgh would cost £51 instead of £77.25, according to National Rail.

4. Split ticketing

To get the best-priced rail tickets, use split ticketing. This is where your journey is broken down into smaller sections and you buy different tickets for different legs of the journey to save money.

You don’t have to change trains to do this and you can even stay in the same seat, but your train must actually stop at all the stations you have booked to and from, not just pass through. 

There are many apps and websites that can help you find the cheapest way to travel using split tickets, and you can either buy them through those sites and pay a fee, or use the tool and then simply buy the various tickets yourself.

How much could you save?

SplitMyFare.co.uk says that instead of buying a single ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh for £59.90, you could buy split tickets from Manchester to Chorley and Chorley to Edinburgh for a total of £42.90, saving you £17.

TrainTickets.com says you could save £15.30 by splitting tickets between London Paddington and Exeter St David’s, paying £63.

5. Watch out for fees

While some websites seem to offer cheap train tickets, you may find you are getting less of a good deal once all the extra fees are added on.

TheTrainline.com, for instance, charges booking fees, and there may be fees to post your tickets or collect them from a station.

RedSpottedHanky says it doesn’t charge booking fees, service fees or card fees, but it will charge you £1 to post tickets. 

You could also book direct with the train company to save money.

Avanti West Coast, for example, doesn’t charge booking fees and says it will refund the difference if you find a cheaper ticket elsewhere within 24 hours of booking.

6. Consider flexible working

Off-peak travel is cheaper, so if you commute to an office, see if it is possible to work more flexibly.

Tweaking your hours so you can make the journey during off-peak times could save you a packet in travel costs.

7. Cashback

You could get cashback on train tickets if you use sites such as Quidco or TopCashback* when you book. 

Otherwise, paying for them on a cashback credit card could earn you rewards, but make sure you clear the balance each month as interest owed will outweigh the benefit of any cashback.

Here’s our round-up of the best reward credit cards.

8. Get a refund

If your train is delayed, you can claim a refund through Delay Repay – a national scheme to compensate passengers when trains are more than either 15 minutes or 30 minutes late, depending on the train company.

This applies unless the delay or cancellation was caused by planned engineering works. 

You can apply for compensation online or by post within 28 days of your delayed journey; you will need to supply proof of travel such as your ticket or receipt. 

The compensation you get will depend on the length of delay in your overall journey. 

*All products, brands or properties mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback, and are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links from which we can earn revenue. This revenue helps us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. For more, see How we make our money and Editorial promise