HEADING to the capital? You can either set your alarm for 4am to avoid the traffic, spend a big chunk of your day on the coach, or get yourself organised with a bargain train ticket from Virgin Trains.

Book in advance and you can get to London from Liverpool for a mere £17 one-way (cheaper than driving). And it's a much more pleasant experience than fighting your way down the M6.

Pendolino TrainWith an hourly service and a typical journey time of just 2hrs 8 mins, Virgin Trains will get you there on time and in comfort, leaving you feeling refreshed on arrival. 

All routes are operated by their super-swanky 125mph tilting Pendolino trains. Each has its own onboard shop for those mid-journey munchies, powerpoints for keeping laptops and mobiles charged, and Wi-Fi internet so you can tweet, like and poke to your heart’s content.

And if you feel like treating yourself, why not give First Class a try by upgrading at the weekend for just £15 one-way? You'll find yourself in a very special space, enjoying complimentary snacks and refreshments, Wi-Fi, large reclining seats and smiley, attentive service.

Here's Virgin Trains top tips to saving money:

  • Book in advance at virgintrains.com for the cheapest fares and no booking fees
  • Use their Best Fare Finder to find the lowest fares
  • If you can be flexible, travel off-peak to find a cheaper ticket

Go to virgintrains.co.uk for the cheapest fares.