The FA Cup always brings some great away days, and the 2025–26 fourth round is no different. With ties taking place on Saturday 14 February, thousands of fans will be travelling across the country to follow their teams.

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We took a look at a selection of 4th Round fixtures and checked train fares for matchday travel. Same journeys, same day, same departure times. The only difference was how the tickets were put together.v

The fixtures we checked

Rather than trying to cover every tie, we focused on a handful with longer rail journeys or higher travel demand.

All examples were checked as single journeys for one adult, travelling on the morning of Saturday 14 February, heading to the home team’s nearest train station.

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What we found

Across these away days, split tickets consistently came out cheaper than booking the same journey as a single through ticket elsewhere.

That’s because many longer journeys can be broken into smaller segments, even though you stay on the same train throughout. You’re not changing how you travel, just how the ticket is priced.

The trains are the same.

The route is the same.

You just pay less.

Why FA Cup away days are perfect for split tickets

Away days often mean:

• Longer distances

• Cross-country routes

• Multiple operators

These are exactly the types of journeys where split tickets work best. Traditional journey planners don’t always surface the cheapest combinations, especially on busy weekends or multi-operator routes.

Split ticketing looks at the whole network and finds legitimate ways to reduce the cost, without changing the journey itself.

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A quick note on prices

All fares were checked in January 2026 and are subject to availability. As always with Advance tickets, prices can change as trains fill up, so booking earlier usually helps.

Travelling to a match this season?

Whether it’s the FA Cup, league football, or a last-minute away day, it’s always worth checking split tickets before you book.

Same journey. Smarter tickets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is split ticketing?

Split ticketing means buying two or more tickets for different parts of the same journey. You can often stay on the same train, but the total price can be cheaper than one through ticket.

Do I have to get off the train when using split tickets?

Not usually. In many cases you can stay on the same train, as long as the train stops at the split station(s) your tickets cover.

Why can split tickets be cheaper than a single ticket?

UK rail fares are priced in segments, and some combinations price lower than a through fare. Split ticketing simply finds valid fare combinations that already exist in the rail system.

How did you compare FA Cup away day train fares for 2026?

We checked a selection of 2025–26 FA Cup Fourth Round ties for Saturday 14 February 2026. Examples were single journeys for one adult, morning travel, to the home team’s nearest main station.

Why didn’t you cover every FA Cup Fourth Round fixture?

We used a selection of ties to keep comparisons clear and consistent. The aim was to show typical savings on longer, cross-country, and multi-operator journeys.

What does “Advance” mean and are Advance tickets refundable?

Advance tickets are usually tied to specific trains and are typically non-refundable. You may be able to change them, depending on the retailer and fare conditions, often with a fee and fare difference.

Will I always get a seat reservation with my train ticket?

Not always. Some services provide an allocated seat, while others may only offer a counted place or no reservation depending on the operator and reservation availability.

What is a counted place reservation?

A counted place means your booking is counted towards capacity, but you may not be assigned a specific seat. You can usually sit in any unreserved seat in the correct class.

What is Ticket on Departure (ToD) and where do I collect tickets?

Ticket on Departure is paper ticket collection from a station ticket machine or ticket office. You normally collect using a collection reference and the payment card used to buy the tickets.

Why do prices change so much before matchday?

Advance fares can rise as cheaper quotas sell out. Booking earlier usually gives you more choice and better prices, especially for popular weekend travel.