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Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to find the cheapest train tickets as passengers face 5.5% rise in rail fares
Campaigners have said a potential 5.5% rise in regulated fares is 'outrageous' - but there are some ways you can save money when buying tickets. Train fares in England could jump by 5.5% next year following an uptick in UK inflation, financial analysts have warned. July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation - which is often used to determine increases in the cost of train tickets - will be announced on Wednesday. While the government has not confirmed how it will determine the cap in regulated fare rises for 2026, this year's hike of 4.6% was one percentage point above the RPI rate in July last year. With this July's RPI figure expected to be 4.5%, according to banking group Investec, train fares in England could jump by 5.5%. Bruce Williamson, spokesman for transport pressure group Railfuture said "it would be outrageous" if fares rose by that much, adding that there is no justification in "jacking up fares above inflation". "It's ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and onto our congested road network, which is in no-one's interest." Chief executive of lobby group Campaign for Better Transport, Ben Plowden, warned that rising fares are "putting people off rail travel", pointing to a survey that found 71% of people would be more likely to take the train if prices were lower. With passengers facing yet another rise in fares, here is a guide on how to save as much money as possible on your train tickets. Get a Railcard There are currently nine available Railcards, depending on your situation and needs, which can knock off 1/3 of your train fare. Most Railcards can be purchased online with the option to download as a digital Railcard to your smartphone or device with our Railcard App. Some one-year Railcards can also be purchased at any staffed National Rail ticket office. You can book your discounted train tickets online or in person, but you must be able to present your Railcard to inspectors during your journey for your ticket to be valid. 16-17 Saver: £35 for one year 16-25 Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years 26-30 Railcard: £35 for one year Disabled Persons Railcard: £20 for one year, £54 for three years Family & Friends Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Network Railcard: £35 for one year Senior Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Two Together Railcard: £35 for one year Veterans Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Book in advance Train companies sell around a million advance tickets every week, according to National Rail. Tickets are usually released 12 weeks in advance, although this can vary, the rail industry body says, adding that the "earlier you book, the better the chance you have of getting the best price". Advance tickets are still available until the day of travel on many routes - sometimes up to 10 minutes before departure. While advance fares are single tickets valid only on the date and train shown on the ticket, they can be combined with other tickets to create an entire journey. Changes can be made before departure, but may be subject to a £10 admin fee and other terms and conditions. Buy a season ticket If you make the same journey more than once a week, it might be worth investing in a season ticket rather than buying tickets daily. An annual season ticket offers a full year's worth of travel for the price of 10 months and 12 days, Network Rail says. Part-time commuters may also want to consider Flexi season tickets, which give passengers day return travel for eight days within a 28-day period. Passengers don't need to choose their travel days in advance, providing plenty of flexibility for hybrid workers who only occasionally come into the office. Depending on your circumstances, you might save more money with either a weekly, monthly or annual season ticket. You can use National Rail's season ticket calculator here to see which ticket is right for you. Travel in a group If you're a small group travelling together, you can also use GroupSave on a variety of Off-Peak tickets across the rail network. GroupSave tickets save up to 1/3 on rail fares for adults travelling in a group of three to nine people. They can be bought for single or return journeys at off-peak or super-off peak times. Make sure you stick with the whole group you booked for to ensure your tickets remain valid during your journey. Travel during quieter times Off-Peak fares are cheaper tickets for travelling at less busy times during weekdays, and all day on weekends, National Rail says. You may have to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes. On longer distance journeys, if you travel in a peak period one way but want to return when it is less busy, consider booking a combination of advance, off-peak and anytime fares to get the best deal. Rover and Ranger tickets Most train companies offer a selection of Rover tickets and Ranger tickets, which offer unlimited travel within a specified area and time period. Ranger tickets are valid for one day only, while Rover tickets are valid for longer (although still within a limited time period). For example, you could buy a Rover ticket that allows travel within a specific geographical area for three consecutive days, or within a 15-day period. These tickets may also include local bus travel, and there are often other offers and discounts available, including 50% off for children aged five to 15, 50% off for people with a 16-17 Saver Railcard and 1/3 off fares with other Railcards. How are train fares decided? About 45% of fares on Britain's railways are regulated by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh governments, while the rest are set by train operators themselves. Regulated fares include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes, and flexible tickets for travel around major cities. The Department for Transport (DfT) said there will be an update on changes to regulated fares later this year. Operators set rises in unregulated fares, although these are likely to be very close to regulated ticket increases because their decisions are heavily influenced by governments. A DfT spokesperson said: "The Transport Secretary has made clear her number one priority is getting the railways back to a place where people can rely on them. "The government is putting passengers at the heart of its plans for public ownership and Great British Railways, delivering the services they deserve and driving growth. "No decisions have been made on next year's rail fares but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers." Read more Everything you need to know as ScotRail prepares to scrap peak train fares (The National) Voices: 'We're falling behind': Heathrow expansion sparks backlash over UK's 'outdated' travel infrastructure (The Independent) Train firms accused of 'vexatious' plot to derail Labour nationalisation (The Telegraph)
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Americans Are Sharing The Things They Actually Love About The US, And It Makes Living In America Sting A Whole Lot Less
Listen, as an American, I KNOW there's a whole lot about the US to criticize and hate on. However, amid all the chaos, Americans reflected on what they still appreciate when I recently asked them to share what they love about the US — and their responses were eye-opening: 1."Bulk shopping and huge refrigerators. I don't have the social battery to do daily grocery shopping, and honestly, having to be among people twice a month is too much for me." —certified_drapetomaniac 2."I'm from the Midwest and have been living in England for the past three years. I miss the friendliness of Midwesterners! The last time I flew home, an airline worker got onto the plane after we got to the gate and welcomed us, and I almost started crying. I really miss the American friendliness when I'm abroad." —Anonymous 3."Chicago pizza. Give me a pizza with sausage and pepperoni cut into squares in a white bag with the Italian boot on the front, a side of garlic bread, and a Diet Coke. No other pizza compares to Chicago pizza. None. The other thing I love is pro-wrestling." —Dani, Illinois 4."The diversity. There are so many different types of people and cultures. It is truly a blessing to be able to interact with people who are different from you and learn how they live within the same confined systematic society as you, but in their own culture and heritage. You really gain a sense of appreciation for all types of people from different backgrounds." —Anonymous, 31, Illinois 5."Halloween, specifically trick-or-treating as a kid. It was truly magical, and I feel bad for those who don't get to experience it." —Summer, 28, New York 6."Snark. Americans are very snarky, especially when upset. Approved." —supervampire5066 7."I have lived and worked in multiple countries. It does get obnoxious at times, but I do love our weird patriotism. We put our flags out all year long, set off fireworks for every holiday, and organize parades at the drop of a hat. I'm proud to be an American, and I'm glad that my fellow citizens feel just as proud and want to celebrate it." —Jeff, 45, North Carolina 8."I like the variety. There isn't a single 'American' culture, so much as it's a myriad of cultures based on ethnicity, location, economic status, and age. American culture in the South is almost entirely different from American culture in the West, yet they are both equally valid as American culture." —ladicair 9."American bathrooms. We Americans enjoy spacious bathrooms in our homes, including having nice toilets and large showers." —bougiedolphin567 10."I have lived all over the US and the world. One thing about American culture that is noted all over the world is Americans' positive, upbeat, 'can-do' attitude — which I dearly love. We invent, we innovate, and we create. We start little companies that become global giants; we put men on the moon, put super-computers in everyone's pockets, and catch falling rockets in mid-air. We are amazing!" —Jim, 65, Kenya 11."Air conditioning everywhere. I also like that smoking is usually frowned upon, there's free water, and there are free public restrooms." —Anonymous, 24, New York 12."I actually like that we as a culture are comfortable running errands in sweats, and sometimes even pajamas. We get a lot of shit for it, but I appreciate that, in general, folks aren't full of judgment, seeing someone getting groceries in their 'lazy' clothes. We all have a lot going on, and some of us have sensory issues resulting in formal clothes making us want to tear our skin off. I like that I can run to the store in a messy bun and yoga pants and not have people stare at me for being under-dressed. Oh, and having legal, recreational weed (although that varies by state). Love it." —doeflesh666 13."You can publicly refer to the president as 'King Baby the Whiny Little Bitch,' and you don't have to fear getting arrested or jailed for doing so. (This is under the assumption that King Baby the Whiny Little Bitch won't change freedom of speech.)" —Anonymous 14."We have always been the adolescents of world cultures and have always had the guts to address what doesn't align with our beliefs. Whatever label you put on that, the USA has always been passionate about its place and role in the entire world. And whether you agree or disagree with what is said or being done to reinforce our legitimacy as a nation, you cannot deny that we have always struggled through our growth as a young country. We've had our eyes on the prize and have largely shown the world that our revolution shaped how everyone else lives, with entertainment being the most decisive thing. Until recent events, I always considered our culture worthy of being defended, not because everyone else wants to be like us, but because we allow anyone, whosoever, to join the party." —Hraban, 42 15."Sports culture. I'm a huge Eagles fan, and I love that no matter where I go, if I see someone wearing Eagles gear, I have no trouble saying, 'Go Birds.' People do that to me all the time as well. This past year, my wife and I went to Punta Cana for our fifth anniversary, and I brought an Eagles hat. Random groups of people would just yell out random Eagles chants to me. My wife got mad that we woke her up from a nap." —flyerboy6 16."I like a lot about American culture, but a specific one for my stage in life is college culture. It seems more fun and unique than other places, especially if you go to a big football or basketball school. The atmosphere and parties are amazing." —izzy______ 17."The fact that America is truly a melting pot, despite some trying to make it otherwise. You can really see it in the food culture. If you live in pretty much any semi-large metropolitan area, you can experience very genuine and culturally accurate cuisines from many different cultures: Indian, Mexican, Asian, Middle can really try it all. In many other countries, you are very limited. If you're in Italy, for example, the food is amazing, but you are by and large limited to only Italian fare." —Rob, 54, Ohio 18."I hate the reason for them, but I still love going to firework shows! The ones by me are wildly beautiful, and it's so nice that the whole community comes out to watch — not to mention the live music and food trucks!" —Anonymous "I like how Americans band together. It may seem extremely divisive now, but Americans know how to organize when times get tough and they're passionate about something. Many Americans now, like some of my family members, seem to forget what America was built on. But once the dust clears, I strongly believe that our modern revolution will come. It may be slow, it may be frustrating, and we may need to hit rock bottom before things get better, but it will come. We Americans are resilient and headstrong, and true patriots will defend our democracy for as long as we can." As someone who recently traveled to Europe, I'm VERY appreciative of America's air conditioning and free water. If you're an American (or even a non-American!), what do you actually like about American culture? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using the form below! Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Business Insider
34 minutes ago
- Business Insider
I went to Italy for the first time and left with 5 big regrets
I took my first trip to Italy in October 2022, visiting Venice, Rome, and Milan. I made some mistakes when booking and planning my trip that made it less fulfilling. During the six-day trip, I regretted being an annoying tourist and visiting hot spots. I never thought I'd be that annoying tourist until one afternoon in Venice, Italy. I never imagined I would regret touring the Colosseum in Rome. I couldn't have predicted I'd feel sour about spending one night in Milan. But as I've learned as a travel reporter, I make mistakes every time I visit a new place. My first visit to Italy was in October 2022 during a two-week backpacking trip through Europe. I traveled by train to four countries and spent six days exploring three Italian cities — Venice, Rome, and Milan. I had an amazing vacation, but it could have been even more fulfilling and sustainable if I'd known a few things beforehand. Squeezing three cities into a six-day trip was my first mistake. With three destinations to visit in six days, my trip to Italy felt like a race. It started with a two-night stay in Venice, and before I knew it, I was off to Rome. Roughly 48 hours later, I was on the train to Milan, where I spent just one night before hopping on a train to another European city. Traveling too quickly made me feel like I was always rushing. Going all the way to Milan for a single night didn't satisfy me. If I had selected just one destination, I would have been more present during my trip — and more environmentally conscious. Justin Francis, cofounder of the UK-based sustainable vacation company Responsible Travel, previously told Business Insider that longer stays are better for the planet than quick visits. "Fewer but longer trips mean fewer air miles, more money in local hands, and you'll have a more relaxing trip, too," Francis said. I thought visiting in October would help me avoid crowds. I was wrong. Traveling to Europe in the summer doesn't seem like a good idea. During peak season, the continent's hottest destinations are overwhelmed with tourists. So I thought booking my trip in October, during shoulder season (the time between peak and off-seasons) would help me avoid long lines and obstructed views. Well, I was wrong. In Venice and Rome, I shuffled down cobblestone streets with pedestrian traffic jams. I dragged my feet over tourist-packed bridges. I viewed ancient sites like the Colosseum through the phone screens of people standing in front of me. It seems the word is out about shoulder season. So next time I go to Italy, I'll take a winter trip. In Venice, I shouldn't have booked my stay outside the city. Spending three nights in a castle for $360 was an offer I couldn't pass up. After all, it was a unique opportunity to sleep like a queen in the tower of Castello di Roncade, which was only a half-hour drive from Venice. Though my stay was marvelous and a steal for the price point, I felt regret after learning that daytrippers can worsen overtourism in places like Venice by adding to the crowds without spending on accommodations. By not spending the night in the city itself, I wasn't contributing as much as I could have to the local economy. I should have researched etiquette before my trip. When it comes to tourism etiquette, I was wrong to assume my own sense of common courtesy would serve me well. After a walking tour in Venice, I hoped to sit down for lunch, but all the restaurants I passed were packed. Hungry and hot, I eventually cut my losses and stood in line for gelato before sitting on a shaded step to enjoy it. As I was about to take my first bite, the nearby authorities waved their hands up and down at me — a gesture I could only take to mean "get up." If I could do it again, I'd be more aimless. In Rome and Venice, I had a rigid schedule. I booked tours and planned every hour of my day to see as many highlights as possible. Every place I ventured to was one I'd seen repeatedly in films and on Instagram. Seeing these famous places in person was fascinating, but I felt like I was missing out on a sense of wonder. When I got to Milan, I dropped the agenda and walked around the city in hopes of discovering something myself. It paid off. I stumbled upon a 15th-century castle I'd never seen on social media — Castello Sforzesco. Walking through the gate, I felt like I'd stepped into a fairy tale. Brick walls and towers lush with overgrown vines surrounded me. Exploring the grounds of this castle was more fulfilling than the gondola ride in Venice or the Colosseum tour in Rome. And I think that's because I wasn't expecting it.
