WITH less than ten weeks until Christmas, it’s time to get on top of your festive travel plans.
Follow these tips so you can get away to see loved ones for less.
STAY ALERT: Most train companies have opened their Christmas bookings, but some are not yet selling tickets for the whole period.
Sign up for ticket alerts with the company or at thetrainline.com to be told when they’re released.
The sooner you book, the more you’ll save.
USE A RAILCARD: Bring down the price of your journey with a railcard.
They typically cost £35 but you could make that back in one trip. If you’re travelling with a friend or partner, and don’t qualify for another railcard, then a Two Together card may help cut your fare by up to a third.
SPLIT AND SAVE: Sometimes you can shave train costs by using clever ticket combinations.
Trainline’s SplitSave app automatically “splits” your trip into tickets for multiple legs to ensure the cheapest route, without any need for you to change trains or seats unnecessarily.
TrainSplit and Split My Fare offer a similar service.
HIT THE ROAD: Coaches can offer a cheaper alternative to trains.
Senior, Young Persons and Disabled Coachcards can save a third on standard fares, too.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Being flexible on departure times or travel dates can save you money.
Travelling midweek will often cost less, and choosing outside peak hours may be cheaper — though this may vary around the festive holiday period.
Do your research to find the lowest-cost journeys.
LOYALTY PAYS: Look for cashback offers and voucher codes to get money off your travel tickets.
Signing up to train companies’ loyalty schemes may earn your rewards.
With LNER Perks, for example, you get £5 credit when you sign up, plus two per cent back whenever you buy a ticket, which you can use for future tickets or for snacks during your journey.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of day
WORKING from home just got warmer with the StaySnug cordless heated cushion and seat pad, down from £54.98 to £34.98 at Lakeland.
SAVE: £20
Cheap treat
FIX your style with a classic can of L’Oreal Elnett hairspray, down from £5 to £3.33 at Morrisons.
SAVE: £1.67
WHAT’S NEW?
THE TOY Retailers Association is recruiting mini-testers aged three to 15 to try the 2025 DreamToys list – with payment in toys!
Parent can apply at toyretailers association. co.uk/mini-toy-testers by midnight on Tuesday.
Top swap
LIGHT up in luxury with the Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir candle, 2.5kg, £370, from jomalone.co.uk.
Or, for those without money to burn, Aldi’s pomegranate hurricane candle, also 2.1kg, is just £19.99.
SAVE: £350.01
Little helper
GET your kids’ winter wardrobe sorted with 20 per cent off kids’ clothes at Asda including this denim pinafore and pink T-shirt, down from £12 to £9.60.
The price of school uniform has also been cut.
SHOP & SAVE
GET a half-price leg of lamb from Sainsbury’s with a Nectar card, down from £14.40 for 550-900g to £7.20.
SAVE: £7.20
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