Rail Travel Offers and Discount Deals: How to Save Money on Trains in Britain, Europe and Japan

Save money in 2019 on rail travel and train trips with the latest deals and discount codes. I’ve found the latest promotions on train tickets, rail passes, train tours and holidays in Britain, Europe and Japan.

Let’s get straight to the deals!

Train Travel Deals and Discounts: Quick Links

• Britain: Railcards, Train Tickets & Short Breaks
• Europe: Rail Passes & Train Ticket Deals
• Japan: JR Pass, Shinkansen Bullet Train Tickets & Tours

Britain: Railcards, Train

Railcards: 1/3 OFF rail travel in Britain

Getting a Railcard must at the top of everyone’s list for saving money on train tickets in Britain. With 1/3 OFF off-peak (and some peak too!) rail fares, I’ve saved £ thousands on train journeys.

And most of them have 10% OFF the card itself, so you’ve already saved money before you travel. Today, there are some even better deals on offer!

Check out these National Railcards and get 1/3 OFF rail fares and discounts on the cards:

• 16-25 Railcard: Save £20 3-year and 12% OFF 1-year
• 26-30 Railcard: 1/3 OFF train tickets
• Disabled Persons Railcard: 1/3 OFF train tickets
• Family & Friends Railcard: Save £20 3-year and 20% OFF 1-year
• Network Railcard: 1/3 OFF train tickets
• Senior Railcard: Save £20 3-year and 10% OFF 1-year
• Two Together Railcard: 15% OFF 1-year

Britain: Cheap train tickets

Get cheaper train tickets in Britain with Loco2 and you’ll pay no booking fees or credit card charges. And seek out hidden deals and discounts with Trainline’s best fare finder tool.

Before you start searching for tickets, there are two essential things to know about buying train tickets in Britain.

Buy tickets in advance: You’ll get the biggest savings on train tickets when you buy in advance. With tickets on sale up to 12 weeks (or in some cases more) in advance, it can make huge savings on your journey.

Travel at off-peak times: Train tickets are also cheaper in Britain when you travel at off-peak times in the morning and evenings. Avoid times when people are going to and from work (up to 10 am in the mornings and between 4 pm and 7 pm in the evenings), and you’ll save money.

Trainline: Best Fare Finder

Trainline has some handy tools to help you get money off train tickets in Britain. Try their Best Fare Finder and Journey Planner which highlight the cheapest options. Note: Trainline charges a booking fee between £0.25p and £1.50, depending on ticket price.

Britain: Save money on hotels with sleeper trains

Two overnight sleeper train services run in Britain – one with multiple routes – which down the price of travel by reducing hotel bills. And, the great news is the sleeper services go to some of Britain’s most beautiful places!

The Caledonian Sleeper travels from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and into the Scottish Highlands to Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness. The Night Riviera Sleeper connects London to Cornwall – famous for its gorgeous beaches.

Britain: Save on travel from London airports to central London

After a flight – especially long-haul – and getting through the airport, travel hassle-free by booking airport train tickets in advance. And with savings up to 75% and fares from £7, it’s a smarter way to go!

Heathrow Express: London Heathrow airport to London Paddington Station

The Heathrow Express travels from London Heathrow Airport to London Paddington Station. One of London’s most beautiful railway stations, London Paddington is steeped in history, from the man who built it, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (obviously not on his own!), to the loveable and mischievous Paddington Bear.

In 15 minutes, the Heathrow Express whisks you to London Paddington. Unfortunately, that convenience comes at a price with eye-watering on-board fares.

Buy online in advance though and you’ll save up to 75% on fares! And if you’re travelling with a family, children under 15-years-old travel FREE!

Gatwick Express: Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Station

The Gatwick Express takes 30 minutes to get from London Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Station. With four trains running every hour, it’s a quicker service than regular trains.

Buy your tickets online in advance for a hassle-free journey from the airport to London.

Stansted Express: Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street

The Stansted Express is the fastest way to travel from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street. Trains take 45 minutes and leave every 15 minutes.

Get up to 60% OFF when you buy tickets in advance with fares from £7.

Britain: Rail Breaks from Superbreak

Superbreak has some excellent offers on rail and hotel deals. Let the train take the strain with short breaks by train.

Europe: Rail Passes & Train Ticket Deals

Travelling to Europe by train? Save money with discount codes, promotions and deals for travel in 2019.

Japan: JR Pass, Shinkansen Bullet Train Tickets and Tours

Get the latest discounts and offers on JR Passes. Now you can buy Shinkansen bullet train tickets before you arrive in Japan! Also, check out Shinkansen bullet train tours from Tokyo to Mt Fuji, Hakone and Kyoto.

We’ll keep this page updated with all the latest 2018 and 2019 train discount codes and deals from the UK, Europe and Japan.