Last updated: 24 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Cool Factor: 4/5 — Stone cold

Welcome to our honest TrainPal review, where we put the app through its paces to find out whether it genuinely saves you money on UK train travel. After months of booking tickets, testing split fares, claiming Delay Repay refunds and earning PalPoints, we're sharing everything we've learned. On top of that, you can get up to £11 off your first ticket using our invite code 57807b9c.

What is TrainPal?

TrainPal is a train and coach booking app owned by Trip.com Group. It launched in 2018 and has since become one of the most popular budget-friendly rail booking apps in the UK. The app is available on iOS and Android, and it holds Approved Retailer status with National Rail. In other words, the tickets you buy through TrainPal are exactly the same as those sold at station counters or through any other authorised retailer.

So why use it? The answer comes down to three things: automatic split ticketing, zero booking fees, and a reward system called PalPoints. We'll cover each of these in detail below. For a quick overview of what TrainPal offers and how to claim your discount, take a look at our TrainPal service guide.

First impressions

Setting up an account takes under two minutes. The app interface is clean, colourful, and easy to navigate. You can search for routes, compare prices, and complete a booking in just a few taps. Apple Pay and Google Pay are both supported, which makes the checkout process feel fast and modern.

However, the first thing that hits you after downloading is the gamification. There's a spin-the-wheel mechanic, pop-up reward notifications, and animated prompts that feel more like a mobile game than a travel app. For some people this will be fun. For others, it's an immediate turn-off. Either way, it doesn't affect the core booking experience.

The experience: what works and what doesn't

Split ticketing is the standout feature

This is where TrainPal really earns its keep. The app automatically checks whether splitting your journey into multiple tickets would be cheaper than buying a single fare. You don't need to do any maths; TrainPal handles the routing and presents the cheaper option alongside the standard price.

On longer routes, particularly those passing through major stations like Birmingham or Crewe, the savings can be significant. We've regularly seen 15 to 30 per cent reductions on cross-country journeys. Crucially, you don't need to change trains. As long as the service stops at the split point, you stay in your seat.

No booking fees

TrainPal doesn't add any booking fee on top of the fare. For frequent travellers, that adds up quickly over time. It's worth noting, though, that TrainPal charges a £9.99 admin fee if you cancel a booking. This isn't always obvious before checkout, so keep it in mind if your plans might change.

In-app refunds and Delay Repay

Filing for Delay Repay directly through the app is a genuine time-saver. Instead of filling out forms on a train operator's website, you can submit a claim in a couple of taps. Refunds for cancellations are also handled in-app, although some users on Trustpilot have reported slow response times in more complex cases.

PalPoints rewards

Every booking earns you PalPoints, which can be redeemed against future tickets. The rate works out at roughly 100 PalPoints per £1 of discount. It's a nice extra rather than a game-changer, and the points do expire if left unused for too long.

TrainPal+ card

For £3 per month, the TrainPal+ card gives you an extra 3% off up to 10 tickets. If you're commuting or making several trips a month, it can pay for itself. For occasional travellers, however, it's not worth the commitment.

What do other reviewers say?

TrainPal's main Trustpilot profile (mytrainpal.com) currently holds a 4.4 out of 5 rating from over 10,500 reviews, which is strong. Users consistently praise the low prices, split ticketing, and zero booking fees. On the App Store it holds 4.8 out of 5, and on Google Play it sits at 4.7 out of 5.

That said, there's a second Trustpilot profile under trainpal.com with a much lower rating of around 1.5 out of 5 from roughly 100 reviews. Complaints there tend to focus on the cancellation fee, unresponsive customer support, and issues with the gamified rewards system not paying out as expected. We think it's important to flag both sides for a fair TrainPal review.

Value for money

On pure ticket pricing, TrainPal is consistently one of the cheapest ways to book UK rail travel. The combination of automatic split ticketing and zero booking fees means you'll often pay less than the price shown on a train operator's own website. For regular commuters, the PalPoints system and optional TrainPal+ card add further savings on top.

Where the value picture gets murkier is around cancellations. The £9.99 admin fee is steeper than some might expect from a "no-fee" app, and customer support can be slow to resolve disputes. If you're the kind of traveller whose plans change often, weigh that risk against the upfront savings before committing.

The verdict

Our TrainPal review lands at a confident 4 out of 5, Stone cold. The app delivers real, measurable savings on UK train travel through smart split ticketing and genuinely zero booking fees. The PalPoints system and in-app Delay Repay add further polish. It didn't quite reach Ice cold because the gamification feels overdone, the £9.99 cancellation fee stings, and customer service can be patchy when things go wrong. Despite that, for anyone who regularly buys train tickets in the UK, TrainPal is one of the strongest options out there right now.

Get up to £11 off your first ticket

Use invite code 57807b9c when you sign up. The discount applies automatically to your first booking.

Disclaimer: This TrainPal review is based on our own testing and research using publicly available sources including Trustpilot, MoneySavingExpert, and official app store listings. We use a referral link, which means we may earn a small reward if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Our opinions remain editorially independent. Prices, offers, and features may change at any time. Always check directly with TrainPal before booking. This is not financial advice.

TrainPal review: frequently asked questions

Is TrainPal legit?

Yes. TrainPal is an Approved Retailer with National Rail and is owned by Trip.com Group, one of the world's largest online travel agencies. The tickets it sells are identical to those you'd buy at a station counter.

How does TrainPal make money if there are no booking fees?

TrainPal earns revenue through partnerships with train operators, the optional TrainPal+ subscription (£3 per month), and commission from railcard sales. It also charges a £9.99 admin fee on cancellations.

Is the TrainPal+ card worth it?

It depends on how often you travel. If you book three or more tickets a month, the 3% discount typically covers the subscription cost. For occasional travellers, it's probably not worth it.

What are PalPoints worth?

Roughly 100 PalPoints equals £1 off a future booking. Points accumulate automatically with each purchase but do expire after a set period, so use them regularly.

Can I get a refund through TrainPal?

Yes, but it depends on the ticket type. Advance tickets can be amended but not refunded. Off-Peak and Anytime tickets can be refunded within 28 days. All cancellations carry a £9.99 admin fee. You can manage everything through the app.

How does TrainPal compare to other booking apps?

We've written a dedicated side-by-side breakdown in our TrainPal vs Trainline comparison post, which covers fees, features, and savings in detail.

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