Buying a return ticket should be cheaper than two singles. Yet logic and train fares go together like a kettle and a rabbit. Lots of top deals are only available on one-way fares. It’s very common that cheaper fares are available for two single tickets but not the return, thus always check.

And just to make it more confusing, occasionally if you’re only doing a one way trip, buying a return can be cheaper.

How much can you save… £191 on a Manchester to London return

As an example, a quick search for a seat on the mid-week 9.15am Manchester to London train, coming back the next day, brings up a standard open ticket costing a whopping £230; a quick check instantly found that for the same journey, an outbound standard Advance (single) ticket was £26, returning also on a standard Advance at £13, a total of £39.

How to find them

The web makes this easy. If you’re using National Express East Coast, National Rail or Raileasy, you’ll be shown both single and return fares. If you’re booking via TheTrainline then in its step 2, there’s a special ‘two singles could be cheaper’ link. Alternatively call National Rail Enquiries.

source: Money Saving Expert Forum