UK’s Cheapest Train Ticket: Just 10p — But Here’s the Twist!

Hey commuters, pay attention. As everyone knows,
Train tickets in the UK come with surprisingly high prices.
However, one ‘hidden’ ticket remains accessible from certain stations for a mere 10 pence.

Unbelievable, right?

Sure, here’s the revised version: There’s a twist though—it won’t really transport you anywhere.

I’m talking about the ‘Platform Ticket’, and if this phrase is new to you, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

This little-known
rail
ticket is the
cheapest fare
In the UK, however, it’s not widely promoted, and obtaining one can be quite challenging.

Originating in the 1800s, the Platform Ticket allows individuals who aren’t traveling to welcome or farewell passengers from beyond the gate entrance onto the railway platform.

The ticket price hasn’t increased since 1988, which means it’s still
beaten inflation
for nearly four decades.

Then, are they still simple to purchase?


headed out to try it out.

What does a Platform Ticket mean?

To start with, as indicated by the title, Platform Tickets are meant for this purpose.

provide you with access to the station platform for 60 minutes

after being issued.

Platform tickets are not honored on trains and can only be used at the station where they were obtained.

Furthermore, an employee has the authority to request your departure from the platform for any cause and at any moment.

Who is eligible to purchase a Platform Ticket?

In theory,

Anyone has the ability to buy a Platform Ticket.

These are designed for usage by anybody who may need entry to the platform but
does not
plan to journey by rail.

This might involve individuals wanting to bid farewell to their dear ones as they board the train, or rail aficionados searching for a photo of a particular model.

The National Rail guidelines state: “Should passengers opt not to travel by rail yet require access to the station platform—such as when ticket barriers are active and they aim to help another person board a train or if they are a railway enthusiast—they might be required to purchase a Platform Ticket, subject to the approval of the staff.”

Where can one purchase a Platform ticket?

Do you enjoy the hobby of train watching or stealing one final romantic smooch from your sweetheart before they leave?

Firstly, you’ll need to pray they are coming from the correct railway station.

Only specific railway companies provide platform tickets, and these must be bought at a booking office rather than through a machine.

This indicates that all stations lacking a manned ticket booth are instantly excluded from consideration, and purchasing the ticket via the internet is not an option.

If you want to buy a Platform Ticket, make sure that your station is managed by an operator who still provides these tickets.
Transport for London (TfL)
, for example,
do not
offer Platform tickets.

The National Rail states: “Platform tickets may not be issued by every train company anymore; however, when available for purchase, these typically cost 10 pence (10p). They must be bought at the station’s ticket counter. No fee applies to help a disabled person board a train.”

At other stations lacking barriers, unmanned stations, or those operated by specific railway companies, a Platform Ticket might not be necessary. Customers are encouraged to verify this information with the ticket office when feasible prior to accessing the platform.

‘Every train company will inform their sales team about their platform ticket policy.’

Swipe all the way to the bottom; we’ve listed all the businesses that continue to carry them at the conclusion of this piece.

Do platform tickets actually function as they should?

It appears that when it comes to whether Platform Tickets actually function, the response leans towards ‘both yes and no’.

After discovering information about the Platform Ticket, I promptly made my way to the nearest station.
Chester
in an attempt to apply the theory in reality.

Following a wait in line at the ticket counter, I successfully bought my Platform Ticket without much hassle or debate — I just asked for one, and was handed it promptly with hardly a raised eyebrow from the staff member.

Nevertheless, even though I was pleased not to make a scene at the checkout, everything was poised to shift.

Approaching the barrier, I enthusiastically fed my ticket into the gate when I was promptly instructed to ‘get help’.

Although the friendly staff member quickly identified my ticket and allowed me access, he acknowledged that such tickets ‘aren’t really used much these days.’

That’s when I recognized that lingering on Platform 3B of Chester railway station wasn’t really necessary for my study. So, after capturing images that probably seemed quite peculiar to passersby, I decided to leave.

Nevertheless, yet again, I couldn’t depart without ‘requesting help’.

Worried that I might have to stay at Chester Station indefinitely (and with the approaching 12:30 train from Liverpool seeming ready to arrive right behind me), I looked for another employee. This person quickly identified my ticket and allowed me to proceed, thankfully without any fuss or remarks.

Therefore, do Platform Tickets function? In my experience, they essentially do. Nonetheless, one cannot avoid thinking that the procedure seemed more straightforward back in the 1900s.

It’s important to mention as well that this experience isn’t universal for everybody, however.

The travel social media documentarian known as @OnlyRightTrack encountered quite a distinct experience with his Platform Ticket; it proved challenging to buy and, despite this, failed to provide him entry onto the station platform.

Therefore, whether your 10p ticket truly measures up to the excitement is something you alone must decide.

Moreover, it relies on just how badly you crave those pricey lattes.

Have a tale you’d like to tell?

Reach out via email
[email protected]
.

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