Advance tickets are perfect if you know your travel plans ahead of time. Save money by booking affordable rail tickets as early as 12 weeks before your journey, or even up to the day before you travel.
If you're planning a trip across the UK, booking cheap train tickets can help you save money.
Finding cheap train tickets doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you're travelling for work, visiting friends or planning a weekend away, there are plenty of ways to secure cheaper train fares across the UK.
When you book with East Midlands Railway, you can quickly compare ticket options, find discounted train tickets and plan your journey in just a few steps. From Advance fares to Railcard discounts and flexible travel options, there are plenty of ways to make your journey more affordable.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to find cheap train fares, explain the different ticket types available, and share practical tips to help you bag the best discounts on your next train journey.
- How to Buy Cheap Train Tickets
- More Ways to Save
- Cheap Popular UK Journeys
- Cheap Train Tickets to Europe
- Cheap Train Tickets FAQs
Find the cheapest train ticket for your journey
There are several ways to find cheap rail fares when booking train tickets. By planning ahead and choosing the right ticket type, you can often significantly reduce the cost of your journey.
Booking directly with East Midlands Railway also means you can search for tickets across the entire national rail network, not just on EMR routes. This allows you to compare travel times, ticket types and prices to find the best option for your journey.
The table below highlights when different tickets are typically cheapest and how flexible they are for travellers.
| Ticket type | Best for | Refunds | Use with railcards | Travel on any train | Available to buy on the day or earlier |
| Advance | I want the cheapest ticket and can commit to a specific train | X | ✔ | Specified train only | From 12 weeks in advance and up to 10 mins before departure - subject to availability |
| Off-Peak | I’m flexible with my travel time and want to save money | ✔* | ✔ | Within Off Peak times | ✔ |
| Super off-Peak | I want flexibility and the lowest fare | ✔* | ✔ | Within Super Off Peak times | ✔ |
| Anytime | I need to be able to travel at any time without restrictions | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Flexi-season | I commute a few days a week and want a cost-effective option | ✔ | 16-17 Saver railcard only | ✔ | ✔ |
| Season | I travel regularly and need unlimited travel on my route | ✔ | 16-17 Saver railcard only | ✔ | Up to 4 weeks in advance |
*Refund conditions have changed
From 1 April 2026 the refund conditions for some tickets have changed.
Anytime tickets, Off-Peak tickets, Super Off-Tickets, Day Travelcards and most Rover tickets and Rangers tickets will be only be refundable up until 23:59 the day before your ticket becomes valid for travel.
Find the right train ticket and start travelling today
Once you’ve compared ticket options, understanding how each fare works can help you choose the best option for your journey.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of the main train ticket types available across the UK rail network, including when they’re most useful and who they’re best suited for.
Daily train tickets
Season tickets
Other train ticket types
Ways to save with cheap rail fare options
There are lots of ways to save money on your train ticket booking by following our cheap train fare options and tips below.
How to buy cheap train tickets
Generally, train fares tend to increase as the day of travel approaches, which is why booking Advance tickets is a great way to find cheap train tickets. Our Journey Planner can help you find live train times, ticket prices, and route stops. And don't forget to use your Railcard for everyday savings of up to 1/3 off train travel.
Below we have outlined some simple steps to help you save money on your train journey today;
Why choose to travel with EMR?
When it comes to finding affordable train fares, booking directly with EMR has plenty of perks. Here’s why it’s the smart choice:
No booking fees
Many third-party ticket providers sneak in extra charges at checkout, but when you book directly with EMR, you avoid those fees. This means lower overall costs for your trip.
Nationwide journey planning
With EMR, you’re not limited to the East Midlands. You can book tickets for travel across the entire UK rail network, making it simple to plan any trip.
Exciting new trains
Be on the lookout for our all-new Aurora Trains! These next-generation trains will offer more comfort, spacious seating and
Easy digital ticketing
From finding the best deals to managing your tickets, EMR’s user-friendly platform makes it all effortless. Simplify every step with our digital ticketing options and feature-packed journey planner.
Cheap Popular UK Train Journeys
There are so many places all across the UK and Europe that you can travel to cheaply by train. Here are some of our most popular destinations to visit by train. Click to find out more.
- Cheap train tickets to London
London is a major hub for business and leisure, with frequent EMR services arriving at London St Pancras International. To get cheap train tickets, book Advance fares early, which are usually much cheaper than flexible tickets bought on the day.
- Cheap train tickets to Nottingham
Nottingham is a major East Midlands transport hub and a popular spot for shopping, university visits and weekend breaks. With frequent services, it’s easy to reach the city while still finding affordable fares. Using a Railcard can help cut costs and make your trip to
- Cheap train tickets to Sheffield
Sheffield is a vibrant northern city with great links to the Peak District, attracting commuters, students and leisure travellers.
Other popular destinations include:
- Cheap train tickets to Liverpool
- Cheap train tickets to Manchester
- Cheap train tickets to Norwich
- Cheap train tickets to Derby
- Cheap train tickets to Leicester
- Cheap train tickets to Lincoln
Cheap Train Tickets to Europe
If you're looking to travel to Europe on a budget, booking cheap train tickets can be a great option. Simply take an EMR train to London St Pancras and hop on the Eurostar to travel to different European destinations in comfort without the stress of a busy airport.
Book cheap train tickets to Europe
Cheap train tickets FAQs
How far in advance should I book train tickets to save money?
Can I save money by booking my train tickets in advance?
What is the cheapest day to travel by train in the UK?
Do trains get cheaper last minute?
How can I make my train fare cheaper?
Is it cheaper to buy a train ticket online?
Can I save money through EMR on journeys covered by different train operators?
How can I avoid paying booking fees when booking rail tickets?
What is a Smartcard?
How can I get a refund for my ticket?
What is the cheapest time to travel by train in the UK?
Accordion title
To get the cheapest train tickets, you should book your tickets up to 12 weeks before your journey. You can save up to 60% off your ticket price by booking your train tickets in advance.
You can save up to 60% off your ticket price by booking your train tickets in advance.
The cheapest day to travel by train can vary depending on the route and time of day. Despite the day, the cheapest train tickets are available when you travel during off-peak rather than peak times – which are usually between 10:00 and 16:00, or after 19:00.
It's also a good idea to book your tickets in advance as prices can increase the closer you get to your travel date.
When looking for the cheapest rail fares, it is always best to book you your train tickets in advance and not last minute. Train tickets are available 12 weeks before departure dates – find out more about cheapest advance train tickets here.
If you are looking for cheap last minute train tickets, download the EMR App for the best route and ticket price options available one your day of travel.
There are several ways to make your train fare cheaper. One of the best ways is to book your tickets in advance. Generally, train companies release their tickets around 12 weeks before the travel date, so booking as early as possible can help you find the cheapest fares.
Another option is to travel during off-peak times. Train fares tend to be more expensive during peak hours, so if you can be flexible with your travel times and opt for off-peak trains, you may be able to save money.
You can also consider using a Railcard to get discounts on your train fares. Railcards are available for a variety of groups, including students, seniors, and families, and can help you save up to a third off your train fares.
In most cases, it is cheaper to buy train tickets online thanks to advances ticket prices and other savvy ways to save through online promotions. Additionally, buying tickets online can be more convenient as you can easily compare prices and choose the best option for your budget and travel plans. Plus, you can often save time by booking in advance and printing your tickets at home or downloading them to your mobile device.
Yes. When you book via EMR, you can save money across the entire UK rail network, even on journeys that involve other operators. Use the EMR search tool to compare prices and routes for your journey.
Several rail ticket providers apply booking fees at the checkout stage but if you book direct via the EMR website or app, you won’t ever pay booking fees, making your journey as cheap as possible.
A Railway smart card is an alternative to traditional disposable paper tickets. Similar to a debit or credit card your Railway Smartcard allows you to store information such as your season ticket and then easily top the smart card up again when it is time to renew. Find out more here and order your free Smartcard here .
Some ticket types can be refunded whilst others can be changed to a later date. We'll also give you a full refund if your train journey is delayed or cancelled part way through and you decide to return to your original station instead. Click here for further information.
Travel during Off-Peak hours to save on train fares. Off-Peak services generally run outside the morning and evening rush hours, typically between 10:00 and 16:00 and after 19:00. Booking in advance can also help you secure the lowest fares.
The cheapest day to travel by train can vary depending on the route and time of day. Despite the day, the cheapest train tickets are available when you travel during off-peak rather than peak times – which are usually between 10:00 and 16:00, or after 19:00.
It's also a good idea to book your tickets in advance as prices can increase the closer you get to your travel date.
