The early passenger catches the cheap train – sometimes

Travellers prepared to board before dawn deserve lower rail fares but, as Simon Calder discovers, it’s not always the case

- Simon Calder

Two weeks from now, "regulated" rail fares will rise across England and Wales by an average of 4.6 per cent - significantly above inflation. The governments in London and Cardiff specify the increase, which covers season tickets, journeys in and out of major cities and longer-distance off-peak fares.

With taxpayers pumping £400 per second into the black hole of railway finances, fare rises are inevitable. But there are workarounds for some intercity journeys – by setting the alarm annoyingly early.

On many key long-distance routes, the first trains depart between 5am and 6am. Some gradually fill up at stations along the route where regular commuters board – Milton Keynes Central is a classic example, being the last pick-up point for Avanti West Coast passengers heading into London Euston.