Trainline’s new tool predicts when train ticket prices will go up – and it could help you cut fares in half
The app uses historical pricing trends from billions of customer journey searches to predict when prices will rise
LONG-SUFFERING passengers facing sky-high rail fares can now get their hands on cheaper train tickets using a new online tool.
Trainline has launched a price prediction tool that allows travellers to pick the best possible time to buy train ticket and reduce their fares by almost 50 per cent.
The new tool gives customers an at-a-glance snapshot of all the cheapest Advance tickets in the months and days leading up to travel.
In a similar way than SkyScanner for flights, the app uses historical pricing trends from billions of customer journey searches to predict when the prices are set to increase over time.
We didn't have the opportunity to try the app yet but looking at a demonstration video it seems pretty easy to use.
All you have to do is enter your destination and click on "find trains".
The app will then show you the cheapest tickets available on the same day as well as predicted prices for the weeks ahead.
It might not make a big difference for people who need to travel on a specific day.
HOW MUCH YOU COULD SAVE
HERE are some estimations from the Prediction Price tool
- A standard class Advance single fare on London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly
Tickets cost £32 at 80 days before the day of travel
Tickets cost£38 at 41 days before the day of travel
Ticket costs £87 at 2 days before the day of travel
- A standard class Advance single fare Chester to London Euston
Tickets cost £23 at 59 days before the day of travel
Ticket cost £38 at 12 days before the day of travel
- A standard class Advance single fare Chester to London Euston
Tickets cost i £12.80 at 72 days before the day of travel
Ticket cost £18.60 at 28 days before the day of travel
But for those who are planning a weekend away and haven't settled for a date yet, the app seems like an easy way to save some money
If you want to give it a try the app is now available for single Advance ticket fares in the Trainline App for all iOS and Android devices.
The Trainline App can be downloaded from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
It comes as rail passengers face the biggest price increase in five years with fares going up by 3.6 per cent when price changes come into force in the new year.
Of course, there are other ways that train travellers can cut the cost of their tickets.
For example, if your annual ticket expires before the end of the year then you can buy a new one at the current price to avoid the increase.
Passenger can also try "ticket splitting" - when a traveller buys two or more tickets for a single journey instead of one.
HIDDEN TRICKS How to avoid rail price increases by splitting your tickets and finding hidden fares
This is because you may find it cheaper to buy a ticket that takes you from station A to B and then another from B to C as as opposed to a ticket from station A to C directly.
For example, a typical off peak journey from Birmingham to Leeds costs £58.10. But by using split ticketing it would be £37.90, saving a whopping £20.20.
And you can use a dedicated fare splitting site such as , or ticket splitting tool to find the biggest savings.
The Sun Online previously wrote a a guide about how to avoid rail prices.
The best websites to help you split your tickets
SPLITTING rail tickets isn't easy, that's why some clever people have created tools to help you do it.
Splitticketing.co.uk
These website is managed and operated by self-confessed rail travel enthusiasts. It works with Raileasy find the best tickets to save time and as much money as possible.
The website is free to use but if you do find a cheap ticket it will add 10 per cent of the saving on to the cost of your ticket. Non-split tickets can be booked without a charge.
MoneySavingExpert.com’s TickeySplit
From the money saving giants, this tool will only split your journey once and you only get five searches per day.
It uses data from Trainline.com, so you’ll need book through them when it comes to buying a ticket.
More money saving tips for rail passengers
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