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Train Ticket Price Hike in 2018: How Much Will It Cost You?

  • Train tickets 3.45% price hike from January
  • Some tickets £150 more expensive
  • Biggest rise in prices in FIVE years
  • Tips to help you save on your tickets
Commuters may have to pay a huge £150 more due to the increase (Image: Getty)
Commuters may have to pay a huge £150 more due to the increase (Image: Getty)

Rail passengers will be hit with a huge 3.4% increase in their ticket prices in 2018.

From 2nd January, the Rail Delivery Group will put the prices of tickets up, including on season tickets.

Passenger watchdog Transport Focus compared the news to a “chill wind” blowing down platforms, as many passengers’ face stagnating or falling incomes.

Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk said, "It's more like a slap in the face."

It's no wonder demand for food banks continue to soar.

Chief executive Anthony Smith said, “While substantial, welcome investment in new trains and improved track and signals continuing, passengers are still seeing the basic promises made by the rail industry broken on too many days.”

According to a survey by Transport Focus, 47% of passengers currently feel they are not getting their money’s worth when they buy a train ticket.

It comes straight after the Government announced plans to raise the minimum wage for under 25s. Anyone who takes the train to work is unlikely to see any benefit as the increased price of tickets sucks up the extra income.

The increase in prices will likely make this figure fall even lower.

Members of the Latest Deals community already feel that they don’t get what they pay for with their service.

Clare McKenzie said, “As a commuter, I’m not going to be getting anything extra for my money.

“Most years it is the same with prices going up, and commuters just have to take the sting; most days I’m lucky is my train even runs on time.

“With how prices are set now, I can travel from London to Manchester cheaper than it would be to get from my station in Essex to London. If I lived a bit closer I could just use an Oyster card and it would save me hundreds!

“It gets me every time just how ridiculous the prices are.”

Niel Sayle is also hoping to get something more for his money, he said, “I’ve given up caring, I need to get to work and the alternatives of two buses or driving and being hit with parking charges and petrol costs aren’t really options.

“I use the trains because I have to, not because I want to; I would love something to happen for my cash though.”

Commuters won't be getting anymore space for their cash. Image: Getty
Commuters won't be getting anymore space for their cash. Image: Getty

How much will the train ticket increase cost me?

We found the areas which will have the biggest increases to their ticket prices to see how the hike will affect you.

  1. Brighton to London, increasing by £148 to £4,332
  2. Gloucester to Birmingham, increasing by £140 to £4,108
  3. Woking to London, increasing by £112 to £3,248
  4. Liverpool to Manchester, increasing by £108 to £3,152
  5. Maidenhead to London, increasing by £104 to £3,092
  6. Tweedbank to Edinburgh, increasing by £96 to £2,732
  7. Epsom to London, increasing by £76 to £2,228
  8. Ludlow to Hereford, increasing by £76 to £2,212
  9. Stirling to Glasgow, increasing by £76 to £2,160
  10. Weston Super Mare to Bristol, increasing by £64 to £1,940

How can I save money on train tickets?

From January rail users will between the ages of 26-30 will be able to get a new railcard, which will give them a third off of travel.

However, this won’t be valid for season tickets, where normally big savings can be made for frequent travellers.

Members of Latest Deals shared how they save money on their journeys, instead of using the train.

Jimmy Jury said, “Rail prices are ridiculous now, but the government want people to stop using their cars!

“The last time I looked at trains instead of taking my car, the journey was a return to Taunton from Lancashire, it would have cost £400 in total for me and my family! I went in the car instead and only cost be £60 or £70 there and back.”

Alice Barlow said, “I’ll be upgrading my bike as I’ll need it more than ever now!”

Chrissi Branson said, “The train just isn’t cost effective for me- I’d have spend money on the bus to the station and then pay the train fare to get into the city, which would take over an hour.

“I get a bus to the city instead, it takes the same time but costs just £7, and I’d much rather take a bus than train anyway.”

Other simple tips to save money include:

  • Buy tickets as far in advance as you can
  • Go off-peak to save money
  • Compare prices with National Express coach service
  • Cycle wherever possible

It may even be cheaper to get a Private Plane than a train, as Tom discovered when travelling from London to Newcastle.

Comments+20 points
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Ceebers

Doh. I got quoted. It ain't nothing but the truth.

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AgnesFaludi

I am not using trains...but it is a bit ridiculous that they make the ticket free till 30 y. old and again the middle aged middle class pays for the bill.

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Reply1
charlyoreil

Tickets arent free till you're 30. You get 1/3 off your fare, if you buy a railcard which is around £30 a year. There are also railcards for 16-25, elderly, families, disabled, "two-together"(people travelling in a group of two). The only people not entitled to a railcard are 30-60 year olds who are travelling alone and are not disabled.

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AnnaFlanagan

The railcards are an absolute joke. Its not valid at peak times, on season tickets and you have to spend a minimum of £12. So for me as a college student it’s useless because I have to pay full price (£5.20) to get to college everyday. im not even sure why they exist when they arent valid for most journeys. It’s not like they’re free either they cost way more than id ever save by having one. I guess if you’re travelling a far distance off peak regularly then it could be worth it but otherwise it’s not I don’t think

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elizabethelden

I've got one but it only really saves me money when I go from London to Devon, it cuts the cost by about £35, so it's worth it for me. But without that journey I'd just be wasting money, it's ridiculous that you can't use them for every journey!

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AnnaFlanagan

elizabethelden oh that’s definitley worth it then, I just keep seeing people complaining that it shouldn’t just be 16-25 year olds that get access to the railcard but i don’t personally know any student that gets any use out of it, other than a friend who bought one once because it would make travelling from Glasgow to London slightly cheaper

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