Comparison
SaveMyFare vs buying direct:
which is cheaper?
SaveMyFare sells resale tickets at below face value. Trainline and train operators sell new tickets at full price. Here is an honest comparison of both options, including where each one falls short.
The quick answer
Use SaveMyFare when
- ›Travelling in the next few days on a busy intercity route
- ›The face value Advance has already sold out
- ›You want the lowest possible cash price and have no railcard
- ›You are flexible on departure time within a day
Buy direct when
- ›You are booking weeks or months in advance
- ›A railcard discount makes a new ticket cheaper overall
- ›You need a flexible ticket (Off-Peak or Anytime) you can change
- ›No SaveMyFare listing exists for your route
Feature comparison
Buying “direct” means the train operator’s own website (no booking fee). Trainline adds a fee on top of face value.
| Feature | SaveMyFare | Buying direct | Trainline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price SaveMyFare discount depends on what sellers list | 20–60% below face value | Full face value | Full face value |
| Booking fee | 10% buyer fee | None (own website) | Up to £1.50/ticket |
| Availability Operators release Advance fares up to 12 weeks ahead | Depends on sellers | All routes and dates | All routes and dates |
| Railcard discounts Railcard discounts apply only to new ticket purchases | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Escrow protection | ✓ | N/A | N/A |
| Flexible / changeable tickets Resale tickets are final sale, same as Advance fares | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Valid at gatelines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Delay Repay eligibility Your passenger rights are the same regardless of how you bought the ticket | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | Last-minute travel on popular routes | Flexible or future bookings | Future bookings with fee convenience |
A worked example
London to Edinburgh, Saturday departure. The original Advance ticket cost £139. The seller can no longer travel and lists it at a discount.
Face value (new ticket)
£139
Via operator or Trainline
SaveMyFare total
£93.50
Listed at £85 + £8.50 fee
You save
£45.50
33% off face value
Prices are illustrative. Actual savings depend on what sellers list and when.
How the fees compare
SaveMyFare charges a 10 per cent buyer fee on the asking price. That fee funds ticket verification, escrow management, and buyer protection. Even with the fee, most purchases are materially cheaper than face value.
SaveMyFare
10% of asking price
Added on top of seller's price at checkout
Train operator (direct)
No booking fee
Full face value, no add-ons
Trainline
Up to £1.50/ticket
On top of the same face value fares
On a £30 listing, the SaveMyFare fee is £3. On a £90 listing, it is £9. These amounts are shown clearly before you confirm payment — there are no hidden charges. Sellers pay a separate 10 per cent fee deducted from their payout.
Where SaveMyFare falls short
Buying direct from a train operator or Trainline has real advantages that SaveMyFare cannot match in every situation.
No guaranteed availability
Listings exist only when someone wants to sell. If no one has listed a ticket for your route and date, there is nothing to buy. Operators always have inventory. SaveMyFare does not.
No railcard discounts
Railcard holders (16-25, Senior, Network, Two Together) get discounts of up to a third off new tickets. That reduction cannot be applied to resale tickets. If your railcard makes a new ticket cheaper than the SaveMyFare total including fees, buy new.
No flexible fares
Off-Peak and Anytime tickets allow changes and refunds. Resale tickets are final sale. If your plans might change, a flexible new ticket is safer even at a higher price.
Not ideal for far-future bookings
Advance fares go on sale up to 12 weeks ahead and are cheapest early. If you are booking well in advance, the operator's own Advance fares are often the best option, and SaveMyFare will have no listings for that date yet.
Common questions
Is SaveMyFare cheaper than Trainline?
Usually yes, if a ticket for your journey is available. SaveMyFare lists resale tickets at below face value — typically 20 to 60 per cent off. Trainline sells new tickets at full face value plus a booking fee of up to £1.50 per ticket. If the route and date you need has a listing on SaveMyFare, it will almost always be cheaper. If nothing is listed, you will need to buy new.
Is SaveMyFare the same as buying from a train operator?
No. SaveMyFare is a resale marketplace — the tickets were originally purchased by someone else who can no longer travel. Buying direct from a train operator (such as Avanti, LNER, or CrossCountry) means buying a new ticket at full face value. The two services are complementary: SaveMyFare can offer steep discounts when someone else's plans have changed, but operators will always have more availability, especially for future dates.
What is the catch with SaveMyFare?
There are two main limitations. First, availability depends on sellers: if no one has listed a ticket for your route and date, there is nothing to buy. Second, SaveMyFare adds a 10 per cent buyer fee on top of the asking price. So a ticket listed at £30 costs you £33. Even with the fee, most purchases are significantly cheaper than face value.
Can I use a railcard on SaveMyFare?
No. Railcard discounts apply only to new ticket purchases from train operators and authorised retailers. Resale tickets on SaveMyFare are already discounted from the original face value, but no further railcard reduction can be applied. If your railcard discount would bring a new ticket below the SaveMyFare price, buying new is better value.
What happens if the train is cancelled after I buy from SaveMyFare?
Your passenger rights are the same as any other ticket holder. If the operator cancels or significantly delays the service, you can claim a refund or delay repay through the train operator directly. The SaveMyFare ticket does not change your rights at the station.
When is it better to buy direct instead of using SaveMyFare?
Buy direct when: you are travelling far in advance (Advance fares go on sale up to 12 weeks ahead and are often cheapest then); you need a railcard discount that would beat the SaveMyFare price; you need a flexible ticket that can be changed or refunded; or no SaveMyFare listing exists for your journey. For last-minute travel on popular intercity routes, SaveMyFare is usually the cheaper option.
Are SaveMyFare tickets valid at the barrier?
Yes. Resale tickets are physically the same tickets originally issued by the operator. They work at gatelines and on board in the same way as any other ticket on that service. Every ticket is reviewed by our team before listing to confirm it is valid, transferable, and for the journey stated.
See what’s available on your route
Search discounted resale tickets and compare against face value before you decide.