CATCHING a train to London?

To go from Darlington would you rather pay £13.50 or £127.50? And that’s just a single, standard class. If you wanted to go First, that could be £185.50. One way.

It seems ridiculous when you fly all over Europe for less than £50 that rail fares are so extortionate. But even though prices are high, there are still ways to lessen the cost and bargains to be had.

How to get cheaper train fares: BOOK AHEAD: Turning up at the station and buying a ticket for the next train, means you will usually pay top dollar – that’s £127.50. If you buy your ticket when you’re on the train, then you will definitely pay the top price. But booking in advance will get you something a bit cheaper. A week ahead on our chosen day we found one fare at £13.50 – that got into King’s Cross at a quarter past midnight – a few at £22 and some at £50. Two weeks ahead we found five trains at £13.50, leaving between 13.06 and 21.09. Much more civilised.

TRAVEL LATER: Early morning trains are expensive. (As are rush hour trains back from London). But go just a little later and the difference can be dramatic. A week ahead we found the cheapest ticket at 9.05am was an eye-watering £101.

But 26 minutes later, at 9.31, we could travel for just £22.

DECIDE ON ONE TRAIN: If you’re prepared to travel only on one particular train at a quiet time, you can save a lot. However, if you then miss your train or want to change times, that money may be lost.

Unless you can guarantee that you will catch that train, it might be cheaper in the long run to buy a more flexible and expensive ticket.

GET A RAILCARD: 16-25 Railcard costs £24 for a year (£65 for three) and gives a third off all standard class fares and some first class. You can still get a railcard if you’re 26 if you are a full-time student. Senior Railcards are also £24, with a third off; Family and Friends, £24, allows four adults and four children to get a third off adults fares and 60 per cent off for children. Disabled cards cost £18 and allow a disabled person and an adult companion to get a third off.

BUY ONLINE: Easier to see the selection of cheap fares so you can make sure you get the best bargains. You can also buy London travel cards which also saves some hassle at the other end. Sometimes the rail company’s own sites will have special offers and cheaper offers not available on other sites.

thetrainline.com charges £1 booking fee plus another fee if you pay by credit card.

nationalexpresseastcoast.com doesn’t, but they are said to be considering introducing a £1 seat reservation fee.

TREAT YOURSELF: Planning ahead, especially at weekends, you can travel First Class for £46.50. As you get free tea or coffee included, it’s not quite as extravagant as it might seem.

On the other hand, a quick check on the internet found at least half a dozen European destinations to which you could fly for less than £30, including taxes.

Train to London or plane to Malaga?

Mmm...