Trains
The difference between walk-on and advance fares
Our research revealed that single walk-on train fares are up to seven times more expensive than advance fares. The problem is, we don't always know weeks in advance exactly when and where we'll need to travel... unless we're fortune tellers!
High walk-on fares are the result of Government policy. In its rail White Paper, the Government decided to reduce its investment in the railways and make passengers pay more.
How much more expensive are walk-on fares? Depends where you're travelling from:
| FROM | On average, walk-on fares are: |
| Birmingham | 4.49 times more expensive |
| Bristol | 4.72 times more expensive |
| Cardiff | 5.04 times more expensive |
| Glasgow | 4.77 times more expensive |
| Leeds | 5.00 times more expensive |
| London | 5.10 times more expensive |
| Manchester | 4.00 times more expensive |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 5.33 times more expensive |
| Norwich | 4.78 times more expensive |
| Nottingham | 4.07 times more expensive |
| Southampton | 4.25 times more expensive |
| AVERAGE | 4.69 times more expensive |
The biggest differences at each location?
| JOURNEY | WALK-ON | ADVANCE | RATIO |
| Birmingham to Newcastle | £69.00 | £11.00 | 6.27 |
| Bristol to Newcastle | £98.50 | £13.50 | 7.30 |
| Cardiff to Newcastle | £98.50 | £13.50 | 7.30 |
| Glasgow to Leeds | £74.80 | £11.50 | 6.50 |
| Leeds to Cardiff | £76.00 | £11.50 | 6.61 |
| London to Leeds | £78.20 | £11.25 | 6.95 |
| Newcastle to Cardiff | £98.50 | £13.50 | 7.30 |
| Norwich to London | £40.00 | £6.00 | 6.67 |
| Southampton to Manchester | £71.00 | £11.50 | 6.17 |
More details (pdf, 57K)
"There needs to be an incentive for people to ditch the car. Train and bus travel need to be available at a reasonable price and a good standard"
- David Giles, supporter
Have your fortune told by Mystic Peg
Walk-on train fares are too high. Luckily our friendly fortune-teller is on hand: she'll reveal your future so you can book cheap advance tickets.
Margaret Willmot, Salisbury Campaign for Better Transport
Margaret helped stop a damaging road from being built through a precious landscapeCampaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a charity (1101929) and a company limited by guarantee (4943428)