How can I find the cheapest train fares?
There are so many different ways you can save when you buy train tickets. At South Western Railway we sell cheap train tickets to everywhere in Britain. Why not look and see how you can save below?
1. Book early – get train tickets in advance
Tickets go on sale 12 weeks in advance, and that's when you can pick up the best deals with Advance tickets. Save up to 50% on your travel when you buy early, plus no booking fee. You can also set up a cheap train tickets alert.
2. Be flexible about your travel time
Whenever you can, travelling outside of busy periods with Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets really pays off. Plus, the train will be quieter. Find out more about the different ticket types available.
3. Make the most of special offers
We run special offers throughout the year, making train travel even cheaper. Plus our 2FOR1 offers on some of the best attractions on our network can save you money on days out in London and the South West. Keep an eye on our offers page for the latest.
4. Buy a Railcard
Many Railcards can save you a third on your travel, making tickets even cheaper. Railcards can pay for themselves after 1 or 2 journeys, and there are different types to suit different needs.
Find out more about our Railcards
5. Buy a season ticket
If you travel between the same stations regularly, a season ticket could save you money. The ideal ticket for commuters, season tickets on our network also come with a Gold Card, giving you a third off your travel for you and three other people when you travel off-peak. Plus, you can also buy an additional Railcard for a friend for just £10!
6. Buy inclusive tickets
For longer journeys or trips over different networks, an inclusive ticket such as PlusBus or a Day Travelcard will simplify your tickets, and you’ll save money over your journey.
You can add a PlusBus ticket or Day Travelcard to your purchase when you buy an Anytime, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak Day return ticket.
7. Travel in a group
Travelling as a group can make travel cheaper with a GroupSave ticket. If there's between 3 and 9 travellers, you can all get a third off of off-peak fares. If you're a group of 10 or more, speak to our Group Travel team for discounts on your travel.
8. Enjoy weekend upgrades
Weekend travellers can upgrade to First Class for as little as £5.
9. Save more money with SWR Rewards
You can enjoy SWR rewards every time you book direct with us on our website or app. There are a range of discounts and offers available on hotels, restaurants, sights and attractions, theatre tickets and lots more.
10. Buy Rangers and Rovers tickets
You can get unlimited travel in your chosen area when you buy Ranger (1-day) and Rover tickets. View the range of Ranger and Rover tickets available.
SWR price promise
If you’ve booked a South Western Railway ticket through our website or on the SWR App, you can rest assured you’ve got the best ticket price. No need for shopping around or price comparisons.
To make absolutely sure we offer you the best price on your train tickets, we’ll refund the difference if you find a cheaper, publicly available price online within 24 hours of booking. So long as it’s for the same date, time, origin, destination and ticket type, for a full journey on South Western Railway trains, you’ll get cashback.
Find out more about our price promise.
Business & Corporate Train Travel Service
Business Direct is SWR’s business and corporate train service platform that puts you and your organisation in control so you can book, plan, and manage your business travel how you want to.
You can buy corporate train tickets for any time and any train company across Britain, not just on the SWR network, with no hidden fees or charges and absolutely no booking fees. For more information about business train tickets and SWR Business Direct, contact us at businessdirect@swrailway.com.
