Get the cheapest fares on trains to London by booking early.
If you’ve ever sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic wondering if there’s a better way to travel, you’re not alone, and in the debate of train vs car, it can be difficult to know which one is better.
Yet, recent survey data shows that nearly half of commuters say they can relax and take it easy on trains, and when you think about it, that makes perfect sense. No sat-nav stress, no parking panic, and not a single traffic jam in sight.
Whether you're commuting to work or heading off on a weekend adventure with your family, here are 10 reasons why swapping the steering wheel for a train ticket might just be the smartest move for you and the planet.
1. Save time
Let’s be real, being stuck in traffic is frustrating - especially when you’re in and around cities. When you’re travelling in the car, there’s nothing worse than watching time go by as you’re sitting still. If you decide to travel on the train, you can avoid any traffic and also watch the views pass you by, right from your carriage.
Trains are quicker as you’ll be stopping less, and you’ll be able to avoid any traffic congestion. Even if there are any disruptions on the train - you’ll get live updates through our app so you’re in the know-how.
How much time could you save?
We've looked at some of our most popular routes to London and have worked out the rail time savings that can be made by switching from road to rail*
2. Unwind on the go
Unlike driving, train journeys offer the chance to let someone else take the wheel. 77% of commuters say they love diving into a good book, tuning into a podcast or catching up on the latest box-set. On average, train commuters consume two extra pieces of media a week than folks behind the wheel. That’s two more books, two more shows, or two more podcasts!
We personally like sticking on some good tunes and have made the perfect playlist to keep you moving... literally.
3. Be productive on the way
There’s nothing more satisfying than ticking things off your to-do list, and trains give you time to do just that. Whether you’re commuting to work or heading off on a day trip, train journeys offer you the rare chance to clear your inbox, complete some day-to-day admin, and plan out your week’s priorities.
49% of travellers say they like to get ahead with their work day or organise their personal to-do list on their commute, and taking the train means you can spend some uninterrupted focus time getting ahead before your day has even started.
4. More space
Trains are bigger to state the obvious. Cars can sometimes be on the smaller side, making for a cramped journey. When travelling long-distance, comfort is often a priority for many passengers, but getting comfortable is not always possible when travelling by car.
When you travel by train, you can kick back and relax as you’ll have more leg space. You can even walk around if you choose to, perfect for those long journeys when you don’t want to be confined to one space.
5. Save money (and make some too!)
Generally speaking, trains are often the budget-friendly choice. When you account for the longer journeys you’ll be taking - there’s a variety of costs involved. By taking advantage of our advance fares and railcard discounts, train travel is an affordable way to get from A to B, cutting costs on fuel, tolls, and parking.
Plus, train travel isn’t just about saving money, it can also be about making it! With no driving to do, your commute becomes usable time, and with nearly 1 in 4 commuters running a side hustle, that time can turn into income.
So, whether you’re reselling on Vinted, sharing your skills online, drafting blog posts, or joining paid research groups, taking the train is the perfect opportunity to make a bit of cash before you’ve even reached work in the morning!
Follow our top tips to get cheap train tickets:
6. No need to take long breaks
When travelling in the car, you may need to take long stops at service stations so you and your passengers can rest up and stretch your legs.
On trains, there’s no need to take a break. You can fill your time with whatever you like. From napping to playing cards, you can take breaks whenever you want, no disruption required.
7. Eco-friendly benefits
In the battle of car vs train journeys, trains most definitely win on the environmentally friendly front. This is because trains give off five times less carbon emissions than cars do. Result!
On the whole, trains are far more environmentally friendly than cars because they emit less pollutants per passenger-mile, helping to keep the planet greener. Sustaining the environment, whilst avoiding the traffic, sounds like a win-win to us.
Plus, with 70% of passengers agreeing that they feel happier when travelling sustainably by train, it’s clear that doing your bit for the environment makes your commute more meaningful, too.
You can find out more about what we are doing over at our sustainability hub or calculate your carbon savings using the tool below!
8. Trains last longer than cars
Have you ever wondered, ‘Are trains better for the environment’? If so, did you know that on average cars are renewed every 6 years in the UK? This short turnover rate means that cars lead to more resource consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, all these factors lead to poorer sustainability.
On the other hand, trains are built to last for several decades. This means that they generally require less renewal and production than cars do, making them better for the environment.
9. Connect with loved ones
Since your commute is one of the few moments you can unwind before your day begins, it’s the perfect opportunity to socialise and catch up without distractions.
In our latest survey, 54% of passengers said they like to use their commute time to connect with friends and family, whether that’s through a phone call or a quick text message.
Rather than being stuck behind the wheel in a phone-free driver’s seat, train journeys mean you can spend time chatting with friends, scrolling through the group chat to see what you’ve missed, or even planning your next trip! And if you’re travelling together, you can sit back, chat, and enjoy the journey side by side without anyone needing to navigate.
10. Rail safety
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) stated that travel undertaken by rail is over 20 times safer than the same length of journey by car. This statistic alone highlights only one of the great benefits of travelling by rail.
Every year, Britain reports over 1,500 car-related fatalities. This statistic highlights how unsafe the roads can be. To remedy this, travelling by train enables you to avoid the danger that the roads pose, whilst also having the comfort and views of being on a train carriage.
Plan your journey
So there you have it. It’s clear that in the battle of train vs car, trains offer various benefits that are sure to make your morning commute, travel or general journey more enjoyable.
From environmental factors to saving time, the benefits of travelling by train really are numerous. Where will you explore next?
How to save money on train tickets
Looking for affordable train tickets? Follow these tips:
- Book in Advance: Get the cheapest fares on trains by booking early. Many of our longer distance routes, including our trains to and from London, Liverpool or Birmingham, offer cheaper fares when booking ahead.
- Travel Off-Peak: Fares for London train tickets are typically cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends, saving you money on average vs Anytime tickets. Avoid peak hours for better deals.
- Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys with a National Railcard, ideal for anyone who catches the train a few times a year and is looking for the cheapest train ticket to London.
- Save with an Off-Peak Family Travelcard: Up to 4 kids travel for just £1 each when accompanied by a full-paying adult, with unlimited London bus, tube, tram and DLR journeys across Zones 1-6 for the day.
- Use GroupSave: Groups of 3 to 9 people can save 1/3 on off-peak journeys with GroupSave discounts.
- Book Direct: No booking fees for all train journeys on our website or app.
How we calculated car timings in our adverts
About our survey findings
Car travel times were calculated using Google Maps at London Euston from each origin station at a selected time and date. To account for varying traffic conditions, we took an average of all the available timings provided by Google Maps for that selected date and time. This was done by summing the minutes of all displayed journey options and dividing by the total number of options to form an average.
This article's insights are based on a bespoke survey that targeted commuters of working age. Conducted between February 5th and February 20th, 2025, the survey gathered 825 completed responses from two primary sources: 600 participants from the Eureka! Verified consumer panel and 225 from the London Northwestern and West Midlands Railways Passenger panel. The distribution of participants was specifically designed to reflect the geographic footprint of London Northwestern and West Midlands Railways Passenger.
Disclaimer: The information presented is based on the findings of this specific survey and is intended for informational purposes.