BOOK your festive travel now and you could make some big savings.
Train and coach firms release tickets for the Christmas period this week, so acting quickly will lead to the best prices.
Booking your ticket in advance could win you big savings
But to get a good deal all year round, use these transport tricks . . .
ADVANCE NOTICE: The online ticket site Trainline suggests you can save up to 61 per cent when booking 12 weeks in advance.
Go to thetrainline.com/ticketalert to put in the advance journey you are looking for and it will let you know when the tickets go on sale.
At lner.co.uk, you can sign up to be alerted when the Christmas fares are released, so you get first dibs.
COACH CLASS: Book a coach trip from Manchester to Liverpool on December 23 for £7.50 now at nationalexpress.com.
Keep an eye on megabus.com, which releases fares around a month in advance.
FARE PRICE: For the cheapest train fares, use the National Rail Enquiries Cheapest Fare Finder or Buying Advance Tickets tool at nationalrail.co.uk.
A one-way trip from London to Southampton would normally cost £39 but there’s an advance fare available for December 24 that slashes the price to £9.20.
For many journeys, splitting your fare into stages can save money. Compare at splitmyfare.co.uk and traintickets.com.
PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT: Railcards and coach cards can get you up to a third off travel.
Buy a digital railcard via the Trainpal app now for £27 instead of £30. New customers on the Trainline app can save with the code NEWTERM33 until October 31.
You can also get a one-year railcard for £20 instead of £30 if eligible.
Pensioners can save a third on coach travel with a coach card from nationalexpress.com, currently £12.50.
CASH BACK: Always check cashback sites before booking.
New customers get five per cent back on all London to Manchester bookings with Trainline via quidco.com, or one per cent for existing customers.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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