I’ve been using the TrainPal app for two years – here’s everything to know

I’ve unpacked the most common TrainPal queries

Sep 16, 2026 - 17:15

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I’ve been using the TrainPal app for two years – here’s everything to know

TrainPal is becoming an increasingly popular way to book train tickets and railcards in the UK but, if you’ve not used it before, you might be wondering how it works.

If you haven’t heard of the booking platform before, your first question might be “is TrainPal legit?” Or perhaps you just want to know if it’s cheaper than Trainline (there are often TrainPal promo codes available, including exclusive discounts for readers of The Independent).

I’ve been using the TrainPal app for nearly two years and have answered some frequent questions, from how to book tickets and redeem promo codes to how to get help with your journey. Keep reading for all the answers.

TrainPal is a train ticket booking platform that lets you search for and buy tickets and railcards through its website and app. It shows all UK rail operators, enabling you to compare fares and book your journey in one place.

The app also offers its own promotions and discount codes, and you can make use of our exclusive railcard and ticket discounts below, which can often reduce the cost of your ticket.

Exclusive new customer discounts

Exclusive existing customer discounts

As well as UK train tickets, TrainPal can be used to book journeys on other rail networks, including international services such as Eurostar.

Yes, TrainPal is a legitimate train ticket booking platform. It can be used to search for and book tickets for journeys with UK train operators, with tickets issued for travel in the same way as other third-party rail booking services, such as Trainline and National Rail.

However, as with any third-party booking platform, it’s worth checking the terms and conditions before you book. The price you pay, available discounts, booking fees and refund conditions can vary depending on the ticket and journey you choose.

If you’re unsure about using TrainPal for the first time, check the details of your booking carefully before paying, including the train operator, departure time, ticket type and any restrictions that apply.

If you have a TrainPal promo code, you can apply it when booking via the app. However, it’s not the most straightforward process, so here’s a breakdown.

Remember to head to your account to use a TrainPal discount code

Remember to head to your account to use a TrainPal discount code (Fran Watts (The Independent))

Open the TrainPal app and tap the account symbol in the bottom-right corner.Go to “Promo codes” in your account. You’ll see a number underneath showing how many codes you currently have available.Enter your discount code in the designated box and redeem.Once redeemed, your code will appear in your promo code log. Next to the code, you’ll see a “Use” button.Tap “Use” when you’re ready to book. This will redirect you to the relevant booking page for the offer.Complete your booking, whether you’re buying a train ticket or a railcard. Your discount should then be applied automatically at checkout.

If your code isn't working, check that you've entered it exactly as shown and that it hasn't expired. Some TrainPal promo codes also have restrictions, such as a minimum spend, specific travel dates or ticket types.

There's no simple answer to this question, because the cheapest option depends on the route, ticket type and promotions available at the time you book.

TrainPal and Trainline both sell tickets for the same rail journeys, but the final price may differ depending on discounts, railcard savings, booking fees and any extra promotions.

If you're looking for the cheapest fare, it's worth comparing the total price before you pay, rather than assuming one app will always be cheaper.

It's also worth checking whether TrainPal has a current discount code or offer that could bring down the cost of your journey.

(Getty/iStock)

If you've booked a train ticket via TrainPal and need to cancel your journey or request a refund, you can use the app without having to call a customer service line. Just head to the “My bookings” page on the app, select the relevant journey and scroll down the page until you reach “Manage my booking”. Here, you can select to refund, change or delay repay your booking.

Most tickets are refundable within reason but some may be non-refundable or incur a fee.

If you have a problem with your booking, ticket or payment, the quickest way to get help is generally through the live chat in the TrainPal app or via the online request form.

Have your booking reference and journey details to hand when contacting customer service. It's also useful to have details of the date, departure station, destination and train operator.

For more ways to save on travel and holidays, visit our dedicated deals section