How to book the lowest fares

If you plan to book independently - buying train tickets and accommodation separately - you'll find some useful tips on this page, and a "secret" tip to find low-price hidden fares.

Booking independently is not for everybody. Many people find it easier to buy a rail-inclusive ski package. This is easy and great value. You benefit from fixed prices and your money is protected.

Another alternative is to use a specialist rail booking agent to make all your travel arrangements. We recommend Rail Canterbury, which can sometimes find a cheaper fare than available online. Contact Jacky (01227 450088, jacky@rail-canterbury.co.uk) and quote "snowcarbon".

Or if you're having problems with a booking you can contact us.

Booking rail tickets independently gives you choice and flexibility, but ticket prices fluctuate - just like air tickets. Also, the process of booking online is not perfect.

Here are 10 useful tips on booking independently.

Rule 1: book as early as possible

Tickets for most journeys in Europe only go on sale 90 days before your travel date. When booking a round trip you can buy your tickets 90 days before the date of your return journey.

As a rule, train tickets are sold in price bands. The further in advance you book, the lower the price. If you book as soon as tickets go on sale, you can get a great deal.

On every booking page on snowcarbon, you'll find the first available booking date.

Rule 2: use the web and the phone

Booking websites and rail company call centres have access to the same fares. However, there are occasions when a website - or somebody at a call centre - may fail to find the lowest available fare. Here’s why this happens.

We recommend first searching online, then checking the fare by phone. Even if you pay a telephone booking fee (see below), this may be offset by the lower price. The best place to call to check is our recommended agent, Rail Canterbury (01227 450088, jacky@rail-canterbury.co.uk).

Rule 3: use 'split ticketing' to find hidden lower fares

If you are booking a fare that includes a change of train in Paris or Lille, it is often possible to get a much lower fare by splitting the journey into two parts. You won't see these "secret" fares advertised, but it takes only a few minutes to find them, and you'll be boarding exactly the same trains.

First, find the regular through fare on the Rail Europe website to see how much you'll save.

Then on the same website find the split-ticket fare. You can do this by first checking the return fare of the Eurostar leg of the journey to Paris or Lille. Then check the return fare for the onward journey from Paris or Lille.

If the overall price is lower using this method, book the tickets (they can still be booked in the same transaction).

This method can also give you more flexibility in choosing Eurostar departures times. You might choose to spend longer in Paris because an earlier Eurostar departure has a lower fare, or to give yourself more time to enjoy a meal on the way.

If you want to know more, here's an explanation of why split ticketing often produces lower fares

Rule 4: on the phone, state that you want help finding the lowest fares

If you are on the phone to a rail company’s call centre, state clearly at the start of the call that you want the lowest priced fares and need their help in finding them. Remember you don't need to book a return ticket. You can mix and match tickets, taking one route on the way out and another on the return leg. Often buying two singles costs no more than a return.

Rule 5: check on discounts for children and group travel

Children under 4 can travel for free on Eurostar and European trains (but without an allotted seat). Fares for under-12s are lower too, by 10-20%, and in some cases free if travelling with a family member. Group discounts are available too: