Book Early and Save: Yes
Online Bookings Usually Open: from 12 weeks ahead of the travel date (usually)
If you want to travel at the cheapest possible price, look for the 'Advance tickets.
Though something out of the ordinary for British train tickets, which is very much worth being aware of, is that ScotRail doesn't release Advance tickets for sale until 8 weeks ahead of the travel date.
However, the more expensive Anytime tickets will be placed on sale up to 3 months ahead.
So of if you look up a long-distance journey ticket on the ScotRail website more than 8 weeks ahead, you will only see the Anytime tickets, so you can save money by hanging back and waiting until the Advance tickets have been placed on sale.
ScotRail takes Advance tickets off sale at 18:00 (6pm) on the day prior to a travel date.
Choosing a departure
There can be significant differences in prices of Advance tickets between departures, the cheapest ticket prices inevitably sell out faster on the most popular trains.
So it can be possible to save money by looking through the departures and selecting an earlier or later train.
Also be aware that Advance tickets can sell out completely more than a couple of days ahead on the most popular trains.
Booking at the station
If you will be booking walk up tickets last minute at the station Advance tickets will be available up to 5 mins prior to departure for LNER trains, but not for the ScotRail departures, as it takes Advance tickets off sale at the close of the previous day
Therefore you will have to pay the Anytime rate on ScotRail departures between 16:30 and 19:00 when Mondays to Fridays are working days; so it can be worthwhile to specifically enquire whether Advance tickets are still available for the LNER departure, which is typically scheduled at 18:35.
Seat Reservations
When booking Advance tickets specific seats will automatically be assigned, but when booking Off-Peak or Anytime tickets, you will be given an easy option to add a reservation when booking online.
Or if when booking Anytime or Off-Peak tickets, you don't yet know which specific train you will want to travel by, you can arrange a seat reservation free of charge later, either at a station, or by calling ScotRail’s Customer Relations team on 0344 811 0141, selecting Option 3.
However, reservations at stations need to be arranged a couple of hours prior to departure.
These methods of booking reservations also apply if you will be using a rail pass, you can drop in at a ticket office and arrange seat reservations, at no extra charge, or call that number.
Bike Reservations
You can also a complimentary bike reservation when booking tickets on the ScotRail website.
ScotRail deals
ScotRail offers ticketing deals when Adults travel with children or in groups, so when booking online it's worth being checking to confirm whether the total price being charged is inclusive of these deals
Or you can book these deals at a station ticket office, if Advance tickets are available the booking clerk will ask if that's your preference - though be aware that Advance deals can't be refunded or exchanged if one or more members of a party subsequently can't make the trip.
If you do opt to book these deals at the station you won't ever charged more than the online price and the booking clerk may be able to point out a money saving option.
