Train Tickets In The UK – A Guide For Students

Moving to the UK and wondering how will you travel around the country? It’s no secret that travelling in the UK is expensive, especially if you are a student. It is important to know how you will navigate around if you are travelling to the UK to pursue your studies. Thankfully, the country’s transportation system is reliable, timely, and capable of getting you almost anywhere. The train tickets in the UK can be somewhat pricey, but there are ways to deal with that as well. The country is known for its large national network of trains or buses to get across places. There are more than 2,500 railway stations situated near the urban and suburban centres of the UK. Students frequently take trains to travel around the UK. Train travel is an excellent choice for fast getaways, bank holidays, and weekend vacations throughout the UK because full-time students between the ages of 16 and 25 are eligible for a sizable discount on train prices. In this blog let’s explore some of the cheap train tickets in the UK. 

Train Transportation

The national and local train networks in the UK are excellent, and you can take trains practically anywhere. Using the Trainline app, you may view timetables and purchase tickets. Use the Interrail app to organize a vacation within the UK and throughout Europe. The cheapest train tickets in the UK are those that are purchased in advance, guaranteeing a seat on a train at a specific time or day. You can buy an “open return” or an “open single” train ticket in the UK if you desire flexibility. In this manner, you can choose the time of your trip, and as the ticket has an open return, you can go on it within a month of buying it. You need to remember to keep your ticket with you at all times when riding the train to avoid being penalized.

Train Pass In The UK For International Students

There are several student pass options that you can use to buy train tickets in the UK at a discounted rate. If you are eligible for the train pass, then travelling in the UK can be very smooth. Here are some of the popular train passes in the UK for students.  

18+ Student Oyster Photocard

The 18+ Student Oyster photocard, which provides 30% off adult-rate Travelcards or Bus and Tram Pass season tickets, is available to students living in London who are above the age of 18. The card costs £25, and to get the card, you will need to verify your student status, a current photo, and a London address. With this travel card, you have unrestricted access to bus, train, tram, and even riverboat services at any time. You can purchase them for just one day (for use at any time or during off-peak hours, which are weekdays after 9:30 am), one week, one month, three months, six months, or an entire year. The train tickets in the UK will be cheaper if you use this card. 

Youth Railcard

In comparison to many other nations, the UK has higher rail fares. A Young Person’s Railcard can be purchased if you are between the ages of 16 and 25 or are enrolled full-time in school. This card offers over 30% discount on all National Rail travel. If you have a passport and a passport-sized photo, you can purchase a railcard at most stations for about £24 which is good for a year (as proof of age and ID). You can get the card from their online website. Additionally, a 3-year railcard is offered, allowing you to avoid paying the £7 renewal cost each year. You must purchase the 3-year card by the day before your 24th birthday if you wish to use it. When you want to book train tickets in the UK online using your railcard, be careful to indicate that you want a youth rail ticket rather than a standard ticket. 

British Rail Pass

The BritRail Pass is exclusively for international students studying for buying train tickets in the UK. This is the cheapest and most convenient way for international students to travel throughout Britain while they are studying here. For a certain fee, you can travel by train as often as you’d like. Depending on the type of pass you purchase, it also enables you to receive complimentary airport transfers in addition to saving you money on train travel. You can go anywhere in England, Wales, and Scotland with the BritRail Pass. A single BritRail Pass entitles you to unlimited travel on trains inside the UK for a predetermined number of days. 

Booking Train Tickets In The UK

If you’re travelling within the UK, you should be aware that the majority of towns, villages, and cities are connected by train. Virgin Trains and National Rail are the two main rail companies. Although you can purchase your ticket from a machine or the ticket office before boarding, it is preferable to purchase train tickets online in advance of your trip. This should ensure that you can find a ticket and will likely result in a lower price. To obtain low train rates, it is best to make your reservations in advance. You can get cheap train tickets in the UK with your Youth Rail Card. Avoid paying more than necessary for a typical fare. Carry your Youth Rail Card with you on the trip to show your proof of ticket.  

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