Going home can leave a hole in your back pocket.

The 'trainline.com' logo

A LARGE majority of students live away from home. It's the backbone of the experience as far as many are concerned. However, when it comes to lengthy vacations such as Christmas or Easter, most go home for a bit of free food and TLC.

Whether you go to university in London, Edinburgh or Cardiff, it's going to cost you to get home.

Trains have had an appeal to people in general for years, they're fast, they go just about everywhere and if you're travelling 'off peak' its usually a pleasant experience. However, prices aren't always as affordable as we'd like them to be. 

The 'trainline.com' have a 'how to save' option on their menu. Here they tell you top tips on how to travel for the lowest cost possible. Exclusively from their website are some hot tips on how to save:

• Book early

  Buying in advance is cheaper than buying at the station on the day.

  The cheapest Advance tickets sell out fast so sign up to Ticket Alert and we'll let you know as soon as the tickets go on sale.

• Singles are cheaper

  Single tickets are often cheaper than a return. Our website highlights the cheapest ticket so you know you're getting the best deal.

• Be flexible

  Avoid travelling at peak times - very early, mid day and late in the evening tend to be cheaper. Best Fare Finder can help you find the cheapest fares.

• Use a railcard

  Railcards can be used on thetrainline and you could save 1/3 off rail tickets.

• Last minute savings

  Advance fares are available right until the day before travel so it's still worth checking to see if cheap tickets are available.

  If booking last minute, you can collect your ticket from over 900 stations using a self service ticket machine.

  
  

  Emma Grafton-Williams, studies in Canterbury, but her home is Canvey Island, Essex: "It usually costs me £25 for a single.

  
  

  "Having used the 'how to save' method, it costs me less because I book on the day I travel and avoid peak times."

  
  
  Got a car? Take a look at some of the fuel prices...

  

  AA Logo
  
  
  
  

  The AA do a monthly review on fuel prices, February's fuel cost is as follows:
  "Unleaded prices have risen by 0.5ppl from 128.3ppl to 128.8ppl. 
  "Diesel prices have also risen, by 1.2ppl, from 132.8ppl to 134.0ppl. The price difference between unleaded and diesel has risen to 5.2ppl."
  With petrol prices on the increase, there is no way out. A small engine seems to be the only control over what we pay.

  
  

  

  The familiar logo of the coach company

  Buses or coaches are another popular resort people use to get up and down the country.  A popular coach company that students use is National Express, mainly because of its flexibility with times and prices. 

  
  

  They have a 'low fare finder' on their website, which allows you to look at a calendar of dates and times with specific prices.  

  
  

  To look at low fare prices click here .

  
  

  Take advantage of coach travel, its cheap, easy and probably a lot less hassle than switching trains. From my perspective, you'll get home at a fraction of the price.
  Rachel Bullen, studies in Canterbury, lives in Brighton and visits her boyfriend in Cheltenham. She used National Express for both purposes: "Booking a full journey costs me £40. 

  
  

  "But booking separate parts of the journey works out half price, that saves me the most money."

  
  

  Share your experiences, post below.