Here's a quick guide to understanding return tickets—your passport to seamless travel planning and unforgettable adventu...
Dec 31, 2021
ClickTravelTips Team
If you’ve done any amount of traveling, you’ve probably come across the concept of a return ticket. There are various types of tickets you can buy for trips; some are one-way, some are return, and there are other kinds depending on what sort of journey you’re looking to take. A return ticket is one of the most common ways to travel, but what does “return ticket” mean? That’s what we’re here to explain today. Here’s what websites and travel agents mean when they say “return ticket.” We’ll also discuss whether or not this option is right for you.
What does return ticket mean?
First, let’s define our terms. A return ticket essentially refers to a ticket that you can use both to travel to your destination and to travel back.
This is distinct from a one-way ticket, which will only send you “one way,” as the name implies.
Using a return ticket, you can travel to your destination, then use the second component of your ticket to “return” to where you came from. It’s a pretty simple concept, but it can still flummox some people!
When should you buy a return ticket?
To fully answer the “what does return ticket mean” question, we’ll need to discuss the situations in which you may want to purchase one.
A return ticket is perfect for when you know you’ll be:
Traveling for a short period
Returning to your original location soon
If you’re enjoying an extended stay at your destination, then it stands to reason that a return ticket wouldn't be an appropriate purchase for you.
An open return is a type of return ticket with special conditions.
If you buy an open return, your outgoing ticket is usually for a specific time, but your return ticket can be used anytime after that.
For this reason, open return tickets can often be more expensive than their regular counterparts.
Sometimes, though, you will find open return tickets at a lower price, especially if you’re intending to take your return trip during peak travel hours (usually mornings and early evenings).
Why wouldn’t you buy a return ticket?
You might be thinking that a return ticket is pretty much the only kind of ticket you would want to buy for traveling, and you wouldn’t be wrong in most instances.
There are very few reasons to buy single tickets; if you’re intending to return, then the answer to “what does return ticket mean” is “it means the ticket you should always buy.”
However, if you’re not returning to your destination within a month (when traveling by train) or you’re staying for an indefinite period of time, then a return ticket may not be a good idea.
Would a single ticket be a better idea?
If you’re looking to get the best deal on train travel, then it makes sense to avoid a return ticket and pick up a single instead.
After all, single tickets are invariably cheaper than returns (usually, anyway; UK train travel can be a little different in this regard).
In addition, if you’re going somewhere to live and you know you won’t be coming back anytime soon, then there’s no point at all in buying a return ticket, and you should buy a single.
Could booking separately save money?
Sometimes, booking flights separately—meaning booking your first flight and then booking your second later on—can save you money.
Estimates suggest that it’s possible to save up to a fifth on the cost of your flight if you book separately.
This does not, however, mean you should book one later than the other. It means you should book them both at the same time, but as separate flights so that they’re not part of the same purchase.
Tips on getting cheap tickets
If you want to get a return ticket, you’ll probably want to secure the cheapest deal possible, especially since train travel can be prohibitively expensive (in the UK, at least).
Here are some tips to help you book the cheapest return tickets across any travel method:
Book as early as you can - return tickets tend to be cheaper the earlier you manage to book, so try to make sure that you book early to avoid potentially expensive tickets.
Don’t fixate on a single time - if possible, try to get a ticket at a different time than the one you need. Traveling at peak times usually results in higher prices.
Don’t travel at the weekend - if you can, try to avoid traveling at the weekend, as this is when travel volumes go up and you won’t get tickets as cheaply.
Buy a railcard if you can - railcards often lower prices for travel, so if you’re in a position to purchase one, make sure to do this. However, the criteria can be quite specific, so look up this information in your area of residence.
We hope this guide on return tickets has been helpful and has assisted you in making a decision regarding your travel plans.
When you purchase ahead of time, stay flexible, and keep your options open, you can significantly reduce your travel costs!
