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Learn all about booking group train tickets
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- GroupSave train tickets
If you’re travelling in a group of 3 to 9 people, buying GroupSave train tickets could help you save up to 34% on your UK rail fares. GroupSave is a completely free way of getting discounted train travel, unlike any typical Railcard which has an annual fee.
Not every journey is eligible for GroupSave discounts, but we’ll walk you through all the details you need to know about group tickets, including the various rules and restrictions that apply. Continue reading to learn how to start saving today.
What is GroupSave?
GroupSave is a discount of up to 34% for adults travelling on a single or return journey at Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak times in groups of 3 to 9 people.
You won’t need any special cards like a National Railcard to travel with GroupSave tickets – all you need to do is travel together with the whole group you booked with for your tickets to be valid. Make sure you’re all sitting close-by on the train though, as the conductor will check that you’re travelling as a group.
GroupSave Restrictions
While GroupSave tickets are predominantly for Off-Peak times, there are some rare cases where Off-Peak tickets may not be available. But don’t worry! If this happens, then you’ll be able to use GroupSave after 09:30 from Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) on eligible fares.
With GroupSave offering great value already, you won’t be able to apply any additional Railcard discounts to your fare. On top of this, you also won’t be able to use the GroupSave discount on First Class tickets, as it’s valid for Standard class Off-Peak bookings only. These tickets are also only valid for Adult fare, however, children aged between 5-15 can travel with an Adult GroupSave ticket as long as the group size is still between 3-9.
If you’re not travelling in a group of 3 to 9, then your best option will be to check out our Railcards page to see which ones apply to you.
How to buy GroupSave rail tickets
You can buy GroupSave train tickets on both our app and our website. Check out the step-by-step instructions below for each.
On the Trainline app
- Open up the Trainline app (or download it first if you don’t have it yet).
- Choose your origin, destination, travel date and approximate travel time on an appropriate UK route. Don't forget that GroupSave discounts are generally only available on Off-Peak fares and times.
- Select between 3 and 9 passengers for your journey.
- Tap Find times and prices.
- If GroupSave is available, you’ll see a pop-up message on your screen that says ‘Good News! You can save 1/3 on this trip with GroupSave.’
- Tap Apply discount to view your new cheaper ticket options.
- You should now see the discounted prices for all eligible journeys in your current search.
Get our app
On our website
- Visit any page on our website in your web browser on your computer or mobile (like the one you’re on right now).
- In the Journey Planner at the top of the page, choose your origin, destination, travel date and approximate travel time on an appropriate UK route. Don't forget that GroupSave discounts are generally only available on Off-Peak fares and times.
- Open the passenger picker, select between 3 and 9 passengers for your journey.
- If GroupSave tickets are available for your journey, you’ll see a pop-up message on your screen that says ‘Great News! You could save 1/3 on this trip with GroupSave.’
- Hit OK.
- You’ll see the discounted price applied automatically to your total and a message saying ‘GroupSave Discount savings applied’.
Railcards for Groups
Family & Friends Railcards offer 1/3 off travel for groups of up to 4 adults and 4 children travelling together.
Unfortunately, you cannot use a Family & Friends Railcard in conjunction with a GroupSave discount – it's one or the other. However, Railcards are a great way to save on group travel where GroupSave discounts aren't available. What's more, you can now buy Railcards directly from Trainline in just a few clicks!
Family & Friends
Railcard
For up to four adults and four children aged 5-15
At least 1 adult and 1 child must travel together. Children get 60% discount
Great for:
Anyone who travels in groups with children - no relation necessary
1- or 3-year validity available
Save £20 with a 3-year Railcard
Digital only
Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use on any of your devices. No download codes needed!
Buy 1-year for £30
Buy 3-year for £70
Which train companies offer GroupSave discounts?
Before you make your group ticket booking, there are just a couple of key restrictions to remember. The most important one is that not all train companies offer the GroupSave discount. You can find a list of all the train companies that offer GroupSave discounts below.
- c2c
- London Overground
- Caledonian Sleeper
- ScotRail*
- Chiltern Railways
- Southeastern
- East Midlands Railway*
- Southern
- Gatwick Express
- South Western Railway
- Great Northern
- Stansted Express**
- Great Western Railway
- TfL Rail
- Greater Anglia
- Thameslink
- London Northwestern Railway
- West Midlands Railway
GroupSave is also applicable to travel on the London Underground and DLR, but only as part of a through journey to another destination. Passengers using London Travelcards can also get a discount, providing their origin station is outside of the London zonal area.
*GroupSave is only available on certain routes with these train companies – please check with the respective company individually.
**Discounts on Stansted Express services are not applied to journeys between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport. They are only valid on eligible connecting Greater Anglia services (e.g. if you’re travelling from Stansted Airport to Chelmsford via London Liverpool Street, the GroupSave discount would only be applied between London Liverpool Street and Chelmsford).
Frequently Asked Questions
Read our answers to some of our customers’ frequently asked questions on GroupSave train tickets.
Where and when can I use a GroupSave ticket?
You can use a GroupSave train ticket to travel only in Standard Class at Off-Peak times.
Do I need a Railcard for GroupSave?
No, you don’t need a Railcard to travel with a GroupSave ticket – you just need to travel with the group you booked with for your tickets to be valid.
Can I buy GroupSave train tickets online?
Yes. You can buy your group train tickets online via our website or app.
Is it cheaper to buy a group train ticket?
Yes. Buying a GroupSave ticket can be cheaper than getting individual tickets when travelling with 3 to 9 people. A group train ticket will help you save up to 34% on your booking where applicable.
Other train ticket types in the UK
If a GroupSave train ticket is not the one you’re looking for, why not check out the other ticket types available in the UK. Simply tap the one you’re interested in and we’ll show you all its features, including how to get the cheapest fares.
Advance train tickets
Anytime train tickets
First Class train tickets
Off-Peak train tickets
Return train tickets
Flexible train tickets
Flexi Season tickets
Season tickets
Weekly Season Tickets
Monthly Season Tickets
Annual Season Tickets
