The lesser-known trick to save cash on trains from Manchester to London

We all know that trains between Manchester and London can be prohibitviely expensive.

Even Andy Burnham went pretty viral for pointing out you could fly to Jamaica for less than the price of an on-peak train ticket.

But there’s a little website – totally legit – that can get you down to the big smoke for just £20.

If you’re not keen on the usual trick to save cash, which involves changing at Crewe and sitting for an hour in the world’s most boring train station, let us introduce you to Avanti’s secret site.

Avanti Super Fare is a service where train tickets only cost £20 between Manchester and London (with other fares to a number of other destinations too).

The only catch is that you don’t know when you’re travelling – so you pay the price for your own flexibility.

How it works is that you choose your day and rough time slot of travel, be it morning, afternoon or evening.

Then, 24 hours before departure day, Avanti will send you your actual ticket, confirming when you can actually complete your journey.

The time windows are 7am-midday for morning journeys, midday-5pm for afternoons, and 5pm-9pm for evenings – and you could be allocated any available train within those time frames.

You can also only book these between seven and 56 days in advance.

Avanti says: “We match you to an empty seat, you get a bargain Superfare ticket on a fast and comfy Avanti West Coast train. Book at least 7 days in advance and up to 56 days before travel.

“Choose a morning, afternoon or evening departure window. Get your ticket 24 hours before you depart.”

Feel like an absolute mug for paying £150 one-way now, don’t we…

Find out more about Avanti Superfare HERE.

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Featured image: Avanti