A historic city on the border of Wales and England, Chester can trace its roots back to Roman times - and the famous colonists paved the way for far greater things, with a bustling port appearing in the Middle Ages boosted by burgeoning trade from Dublin. Modern Chester has shifted into the 21st century without much of a fuss, and today the town is a major tourist attraction and shopping location.

How to find the cheapest train tickets to Chester

To get the cheapest train tickets to Chester, you’ll need to be super-savvy when searching for tickets. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you with our top tips for saving money on rail travel. Before you know it, you’ll have a few extra quid to spend when out and about in the city, instead of just using it to get there!

First up, you’ll want to think about using a National Railcard. If you don’t quite make enough journeys to warrant buying a Season ticket, but you’re still going to travel by train more than a few times a year, then a Railcard is well worth the investment. Their big selling point is that they can allow you to save up to 1/3 off the price of your train tickets*. Check out our Railcards page if you’d like to purchase one online or see the various eligibility requirements for each type.

Next up on our money-saving checklist, make sure to buy your train tickets in advance. In some cases, the price of a train ticket can rise as the date of departure approaches. So, by purchasing an Advance ticket as far ahead as possible, you’ll be giving yourself a better chance of securing cheap train tickets to Chester. These tickets typically go on sale 12 weeks in advance, but you can sign up for our handy Ticket Alerts and let us do the work for you. As soon as tickets go on sale for your route, we’ll email you. Remember to combine your Railcard with your Advance ticket for a super money-saving deal.

Want to learn more? Visit our Advance train tickets page for a complete guide.

When purchasing your Advance ticket, try to book your tickets for an Off-Peak time. Make sure to check all the tickets in the drop-down menu when using our Journey Planner, as we’ll highlight the cheapest Off-Peak tickets available. Once again, add your Railcard discount if applicable, and you’ll be laughing!

For more info, head over to our Off-Peak train tickets page.

Before you buy your ticket, make sure to check that the price of your Return ticket is, in fact, lower than that of two single train tickets.

Are you travelling to Chester in a group of three to nine people? Then you may also be able to get a discount of 34% on Off-Peak services thanks to GroupSave. This is a useful discount that doesn’t require you to purchase a physical Railcard (but which does appear in the Railcard dropdown when making a booking with us). Please bear in mind that GroupSave is not applicable for all train companies and will automatically be applied if valid for your journey and selected in the Railcard drop-down. All tickets must be purchased in a single booking, and all passengers must travel together on the day of departure.

If you need a few more hints on getting the cheapest train tickets to Chester, check out our cheap train tickets page.

*Conditions and peak travel time exclusions may apply on some Railcard types.

 

Visting Chester

Wrapped in two miles of stunning medieval stonework, Chester is one of the best-preserved walled cities in the UK. Pick up the footpath along the top of the ramparts for mesmerising views, but pay particular attention to the clock above Eastgate - the most-photographed timepiece in England after Big Ben.

And look out for The Rows in Northgate, which are perfect examples of the Victorian black-and-white revival. A trip to Chester isn't complete without taking in the cathedral, with its impressive carved canopy and organ. Founded as a Benedictine abbey in 1092, restoration works took place over a period of 125 years, and today its mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles makes it a true British marvel to be enjoyed especially during a choral recital or classical concert.

The Grosvenor Museum's collection of Roman tombstones is also a must-see, like its sister museum, 20 Castle Street, another delight with eclectically furnished rooms in all different historical styles. The Dewa Roman Experience is also worth a look with its interactive reconstruction of a Roman street.

If you'd rather interact with more than 12,000 phenomenal animals, Chester Zoo, the best in the UK, has over 400 different species, including exotic and endangered animals from all over the globe.

 

Frequently asked questions

How can I get cheap train tickets to Chester?

It's easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Chester. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. 

Are trains running to Chester?

Trains run frequently almost every day to Chester, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Chester.

How long does it take to get to Chester by train?

You can view train timetables and travel times to Chester in our Journey Planner. Chester is well connected to major cities around the UK by train, just enter your departure station and travel date into our Journey Planner to see how long it takes.

Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Chester?

Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Chester, these include:

  • Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
  • 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
  • 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
  • 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
  • Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
  • Friends & Family Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
  • Disabled Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)

Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.

Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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