How To Get The Best Train Fares To London

HEADING to the capital? You can either set your alarm for 4am to avoid the traffic, spend a big chunk of your day on the coach, or get yourself organised with a bargain train ticket from Virgin.

Book in advance and you can get to London from Manchester for a mere £18 one-way (cheaper than driving). And it's a much more pleasant experience than fighting your way down the M6.

With services three times an hour and a typical journey time of just two hours eight minutes, Virgin Trains will get you there on time and in comfort, leaving you feeling refreshed on arrival. 

All routes are operated by their super-swanky 125mph tilting Pendolino trains. Each has its own onboard shop for those mid-journey munchies, powerpoints for keeping laptops and mobiles charged, and Wi-Fi internet so you can tweet, like and poke to your heart’s content.

And if you feel like treating yourself, why not give First Class a try by upgrading at the weekend for just £15 one-way? You'll find yourself in a very special space, enjoying complimentary snacks and refreshments, Wi-Fi, large reclining seats and smiley, attentive service.

Here's Virgin Trains’ top tips to saving money:

• Book in advance at virgintrains.com for the cheapest fares and no booking fees
• Use their Best Fare Finder to find the lowest fares
• If you can be flexible, travel off-peak to find a cheaper ticket

Go to virgintrains.com for the cheapest fares.