Regulated rail fares usually increase every year by July’s RPI figure, which would have seen fares rise by 9% due to soaring inflation. However, a lower cap has been used by the government in recent years.
Meanwhile, those in Scotland face hikes of 8.7% in April.
Here, Which? explains the ticket types that will be going up, how to beat the hikes, and how else you can cut the cost of getting around this year.
Which fares are rising in England?
Regulated fares include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys, and anytime tickets around major cities. These fares will go up 4.9% on 3 March.
For example, if your anytime day single ticket from Guilford to London currently costs you £16.10, it will rise to £16.89 from 3 March.
Unregulated fares are set by train operating companies at commercial rates, and include first-class and advance purchase fares.
Which fares are rising in Scotland?
In December, Transport for Scotland confirmed all ScotRail fares would increase by 8.7% from 1 April. This includes season tickets and flexipasses, which were previously frozen.
For example, if your anytime day single ticket from Livingston North to Glasgow Central currently costs you £11.60, this will rise to £12.61 from 1 April.
The newly government-owned Caledonian Sleeper fares increased on average by 8.7% from 1 January, excluding seated tickets.
Transport for Scotland also confirmed that a pilot scheme removing peak fares would be extended until June this year.
What about Northern Ireland and Wales?
These fares are determined by the Welsh government and Translink in Northern Ireland but have not yet been confirmed for 2024.
During the Welsh Budget in December, the Welsh government warned that, due to inflationary pressures, the country had to make 'tough choices' and Transport for Wales will therefore increase rail fares to help close the funding gap.
Commuters in Northern Ireland faced a hike in prices fairly recently, as around half of adult single train fares went up in November 2023. Translink said the new fares were based on a cost-per-mile basis.
Find out moreHow to beat the rail fare hikes
There are several ways to save money on train tickets.
Get a railcard
If you're eligible for a railcard and make a few off-peak train journeys each year, the amount you save will mean it more than pays for itself.
Most railcards cost £30 a year and get you a third off both standard and first-class tickets. Notable exceptions are the Disabled Persons Railcard, which costs £20 a year for a third off tickets, and the 16-17 Saver, which costs £30 a year but offers 50% off.
Some railcards can't be used for certain journeys during peak times on weekdays. These restrictions don't apply to weekends or bank holidays, though.
If you’re not eligible for any railcard, you may be able to save with a Regional Railcard, which gives you discounts when travelling in a specific area. For example, a Network Railcard costs £30 and gets you a third off rail fares in London and the South East.
Find out more:Buy a season ticket
If you're a regular commuter, an annual season ticket will almost certainly be your cheapest option.
There are also weekly and monthly season tickets, which tend to work out cheaper if you're making multiple repeat journeys over those periods. Season tickets covering more than one month but less than a year are also available.
Any annual season ticket purchases before the hike on 3 March will lock in the existing cheaper price, and be valid for the entire year.
Book advance tickets
A set number of reduced-price advance tickets are allocated to specific trains and sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll need to be quick to find the best choice of deals.
Advance fares are typically available to buy up to 12 weeks before you travel.
Some train companies, including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and LNER, offer ticket-alert emails, meaning you'll be the first to hear about any new ticket releases. You can also sign up for these releases from Trainline.
Find out more:Other ways to save on transport in 2024
Here are some of the other ways you can save money on getting around.
Take the bus
This year you can benefit from cheap bus fares after a government scheme was extended until December 2024.
The money-saving scheme caps single fares on participating bus journeys at £2, but return fares will remain at their usual price. In some cases, it may be cheaper to get two single fares rather than a return.
You don’t need to do anything to get the reduced £2 price, as it will be applied automatically when you take a journey.
The cap covers bus routes with 130 participating operators, including Arriva and Stagecoach. You can check which operators are continuing with the scheme on the government's website.
Find out moreSave on car insurance
If you drive, It’s likely car insurance takes a big chunk out of your monthly or annual budget. But there are some ways you can save, by haggling and shopping around.
Seven in 10 hagglers we surveyed in September managed to secure a discount. Most who had paid annually managed to secure discounts of up to £40 – though one in eight saved over £100.
When haggling, it's best to shop around first. If you've found more reasonable prices elsewhere, you can use this information to explain why you're unhappy with the price your insurer is offering.
Find out moreShop around for fuel
Larger supermarket chains tend to offer the lowest forecourt prices, but it's best to check which petrol stations are the cheapest locally before you fill up.
Websites such as PetrolPrices.com can help, and some sat nav apps such as Waze display live prices for stations nearby and on your route.
Find out more:Cycle to work
Cycling won't be an option for everyone, but if you'd like to try it and you don't own a bike, you could take a look at second-hand deals.
You can also save money on the cost of a new bike with the Cycle to Work scheme, if your employer is signed up for it.
You start by choosing the bike you want. The bike is bought by your employer, who then leases it to you. Many employers can reclaim the VAT and have the option of passing this saving on to you.
Your salary will be reduced by the net cost of the bike for the hire period, spreading the cost across several months. Once the hire period ends, you can buy the bike from your employer at a 'fair market value' set by HMRC.
Find out moreWhich? Limited is registered in England and Wales to 2 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4DF, company number 00677665 and is an Introducer Appointed Representative (FRN 610689) of the following:
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source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-save-on-transport-in-2024-aqdHd0z0xrKX