Published on: Wednesday, 11 October 2017
Last updated: Monday, 16 October 2017
Train travel on the Greater Anglia train network, spanning East Anglia and Essex, is about to get a whole lot cheaper - as long as you listen to Ken.
Who’s Ken? He’s the Fare Guru and he’s brimming with useful hacks to get passengers on the go for less. Don’t let the cartoon character (attached) fool you – he is real-life guy, working day in day out to uncover the best deals on the Greater Anglia train network, and his top tips have the potential to help millions to save thousands as they explore up to 170 stations. (learn more about Ken at the bottom of this email)
He said: “I love trains, I’m a train geek, and because of that I am passionate about showing others how they can travel by train for less. By following my top tips, regular passengers and those travelling in groups have the potential to save a lot of money– it really is easy when you know how.
“By taking advantage of all the different ticket types, railcards, and knowing at what times to travel, there are big savings to be made on journeys across Greater Anglia network, and I’m here to make finding the cheapest fare simple.”
Ken the Fare Guru’s top 10 train travel hacks:
- Children under 16 can travel for just £2 when travelling with an adult on Greater Anglia trains – perfect for last minute for half term adventures in London, East Anglia and Essex. This bargain of a ticket is available for purchase at ticket offices only.
- Evening off-peak travel time restrictions are lifted during half term for journeys returning from London north of Ipswich – take advantage of this more flexible off-peak period.
- Go out with the family for less with a Family and Friends (F&F) Railcard. Enjoy discounts for up to four adults and four children per card, and save a third on most adult rail fares and 60% on the cost of child fares. The minimum number of travellers needed to use this railcard is one adult and one child so there’s a good deal combo to be had here - E.g. Norwich – London with an F&F card = £30 for adult, £6 for child 1, and child 2 & 3 travel for £2 using the bolt on as per hack 1. Kerching!
- If travelling from stations north of Ipswich to London with a child under 11-years-old, pay £2 for the child’s fare (as per hack 1) to London and then they can travel free on the underground (accompanied by adult). Now that’s a really cheap way to travel to and explore London with the kids.
- Plan ahead to get the cheapest fares – simples. Save a pretty penny when you buy an Advance Ticket, and rest well in the knowledge that it’s done and dusted.
- For romantic day trips, spend less on fares and more on your loved one with a Duo Ticket - buy one ticket and get the second half price. This type of ticket is valid on weekends and is valid for same day returns.
- When travelling in groups, perhaps hen/stag dos, Christmas parties or even a festive shopping trip, bulk buy the tickets and get a third off the cost with our GroupSave deal. This applies to groups of between three and nine people, so gather your friends and jump aboard.
- You don’t have to be aged 16-25 to qualify for a 16-25 railcard. Shocker! Here’s the deal with this one - as long as you’re in full time education you can enjoy a third off travel with this railcard, no matter your age.
- If you're flexible with time, be sure to depart after 12:00 and return after 17:00 if coming back from London – there are some huge savings to be made by travelling outside peak hours. This applies to journeys in London and the south east.
- The ‘best fare finder’ on the Greater Anglia website should be your new best friend. Once you’ve entered your search details, look out for the little red box – it’ll highlight the cheapest possible fare for your journey, because we genuinely want to help you get the best fare out there.
To find out more about Greater Anglia trains, as well as discount products and tickets visit www.greateranglia.co.uk
Facts about Ken:
- He lives in Essex
- He’s a self-confessed train geek
- He has enjoyed working in ticket offices and finding the best deals for customers for 18 years. He’s worked for Greater Anglia for five years.
- His favourite places to travel to by train on the Greater Anglia Network are: The sea-side town of Walton on the Naze, the historic university town of Cambridge, Norwich city centre, Norfolk seaside resorts Cromer and Sheringham, Southend – just one hour from London, the docks if Ipswich and the pretty market town of Sudbury.
- He’s a massive West Ham fan