NIFTY WAYS TO CUT TRAVEL COSTS

Sick of overpriced train tickets and flights? Save hundreds on travelling with these simple tips and tricks…

Whether it’s driving to work, getting the W train to a friend’s birthday bash or paying for flights, there’s nothing like shelling out on transport to drain the bank balance. But there are lots of tricks to help you save on your travel expenses. We asked Jasmine Birtles – TV Money Guru and founder of moneymaking site Moneymagpie.com – to share her secrets.

Plan in advance

Whether you’re in the UK or abroad, waiting until the last minute can be disastrous when it comes to your budget. Jasmine recommends using Goeuro. com, a travel search engine that allows customers to book trains, buses and flights across Europe. She explains: “Once you’ve put in where you’re travelling to and from, you’re given the best options for trains, planes, buses and hire cars, in terms of cost and journey time. For some trips, you might even find a plane is cheaper!” Also research airport transfers – often taxis can overcharge tired holidaymakers when you could have caught a bus or a train for a bargain.

dodge Pricey train fares

Ever heard of split ticketing? By amalgamating cheaper tickets along your route, you can save loads – and you don’t even have to get off the train. Tickets work in exactly the same way as normal “through” tickets, you just have more tickets for your journey as this works out cheaper. “It’s especially worth giving it a go for same-day travel,” says Jasmine. “Visit Raileasy.trainsplit.com/ main.aspx to see if buying multiple tickets for one journey could save you loads of cash.”

don’t assume driving is Cheaper

Coaches and taxis can often be cheaper than driving yourself. “Megabus really do offer £1 trips if you book early enough and can be a bit flexible,” says Jasmine. “And sign up to Uber pool – where you share with others doing similar journeys – as they’re by far the cheapest form of taxi.”

Be Clever Booking flights

Before arranging a trip, research to see when is best to book your flights – the perfect time varies hugely between destinations. “According to Momondo, you get the cheapest flights if you book 56 days in advance, although the time varies depending on where you’re going,” says Jasmine. “For example, if you’re going to Paris, it’s best to look about 60 days in advance; for New York, 18 days is best. If you’re going away in the summer, you should book 56 days in advance to get the cheapest air tickets. Use Skyscanner to look at the entire month and find the best-priced flights.

Pick your Petrol

It’s easy to think we’re powerless with petrol prices, but you can save money. “The Petrol Prices Pro app costs £2.99 a year, but is updated every weekday,” says Jasmine. “It gives you the most up-to-date fuel prices from over 11,000 petrol stations across the UK, including the supermarkets.”