Cut the cost of rail travel

So I travel by train a lot especially to London. The fares have rocketed over the last few years, with a return going up £17. This increase really irks me.

I’ve found a number of ways to cut the cost of rail travel and keep journey costs down:

1. Book your ticket in advance – advance can mean as late as 11.59 pm the day before travel. Advance tickets are not as flexible, and if you miss the train you could end up paying for a single fare home but if you know meeting times, this is a great option. Seats become available twelve weeks before travel for the cheapest fares….which is useful if you are doing regular journeys.
2. Buy two singles – sometimes it can be cheaper than a return, since you may travel one