A travel expert has unveiled a little-known railway booking trick that promises to save passengers significant sums, potentially putting an end to paying full price for train journeys. The hack focuses on a specific fare type offered by Avanti West Coast.
The Superfare Secret Revealed
Chelsea Dickenson, who shares money-saving tips online as @cheapholidayexpert, brought the strategy to light in a recent TikTok video that garnered over 11,000 likes. She described it as a "top tier train hack" and urged followers to use it for their Christmas travel plans.
The method centres on Avanti West Coast's 'Superfare' tickets. This system is designed to fill otherwise empty seats by offering them at a steep discount to travellers who can be flexible with their exact departure time. Instead of selecting a specific train, passengers choose a broad travel window—morning, afternoon, or evening—for their chosen date.
How the Money-Saving Hack Works
The process is straightforward but requires a degree of spontaneity. Customers must book at least seven days and up to 56 days in advance. When booking, they select their date and a preferred time of day window, but not a specific service.
Exactly 24 hours before the journey, Avanti West Coast then confirms which train the passenger will be on and provides a seat reservation. The trade-off for this uncertainty is a drastically reduced fare.
"For the risk of the unknown, you could save yourself an absolute fortune," Chelsea explained in her video. She emphasised that the hack is not found on generic ticket apps, urging travellers to search specifically for 'Avanti Superfare' on the operator's website.
Important Limitations to Consider
While the savings can be substantial, there are several key restrictions passengers must accept. The tickets cannot be changed or refunded once purchased, and they are not eligible for further discounts with a railcard. Furthermore, the sought-after Superfare tickets can sell out, so early booking is advised.
The potential discounts are eye-catching. As Chelsea and her followers noted, a journey from London to Birmingham can start from just £9 using this system—a fraction of the standard walk-up fare, which can often exceed £100 for longer routes like London to Manchester.
Reaction from social media users was overwhelmingly positive. One commenter exclaimed, "This is amazing, every time I go to Manchester is at least a hundred quid so I’ll be trying this!" Another was shocked by the price: "I searched Birmingham to London and it costs £9?! Bargain."
For budget-conscious travellers willing to sacrifice a fixed itinerary for major savings, this Avanti West Coast scheme represents a powerful tool. As Chelsea Dickenson put it, this secret fare system matches empty seats with bargain-hunters, making fast and comfortable rail travel more accessible to all.
