Cash point

Christmas might seem months away, but it’s time to start planning your festive travel.

Most train firms release their cheapest tickets around 12 weeks in advance of travel and TravelSupermarket research shows you could slash up to 89% off the cost by booking early.

A single ticket from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street at 7.07am on December 22 would cost just £17, compared to an anytime single at £159.

Book now and you could bag an advance ticket from Leeds to Bristol Temple Meads on December 22 for just £44.30, instead of the hefty off peak fare of £114, saving £67.70. Emma Grimster, spokeswoman for TravelSupermarket, said: “It really is worth making the effort to get organised now to avoid the stress and added expense on rail travel. Early birds who keep a close eye on when the cheapest tickets become available will get the best price and seat reservations on busy pre-Christmas services.

“And those planning a return trip in 2018, should make sure they book a return leg as soon as those tickets become available, to avoid the 3.6% increase due from January 1.”