The announcement of an impending 6% hike in train fares in 2013 may make many of you wonder about the option of rail travel. However, for most commuters, it remains the most convenient and reliable form of transport. Buying one’s ticket 10-12 weeks ahead of your journey will shave pounds off the total cost. Investigate the various booking sites and choose carefully to avoid the extra expense of debit and credit card charges as well as delivery costs for your ticket.

Rail journeys are one of the very best ways to see the world and with so many different countries competing strongly in train travel, there are many trips to choose from. The Trans-Siberian railway journey encompasses incredible panoramic scenery as well as a chance to experience the traditional way of life in this part of the world. With May through September being the peak travel times for tourists, due to the long daylight hours and the warm weather, travelling in the winter months is a good option as well; the carriages are heated and the scenery is possibly even more spectacular.

Your trip may look something like this: London to Brussels on the Eurostar and then a connecting high-speed train to Cologne with the Russian daily sleeper-car getting you to Moscow in 2 days. Or if you live further north in Scotland, take a ferry to Holland, then catch the direct Amsterdam-Moscow sleeper-car. There are many tracks to Russia that will get you to the exciting expanse of Siberia and beyond. The Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia is reputably the most interesting route to follow as it takes in the Gobi Desert over a 4700 mile-long journey. Another alternative is Moscow to Beijing, via Manchuria, a distance of 5600 miles.

If you are planning to take a weekend away and you want to travel by train, make sure you check outtrain fares as early as possible and book sooner rather than later to get the best price. Even if you are only travelling a short distance you can still make savings by booking in advance. If you are going somewhere coastal, booking early is a must so that you can ensure you have a window seat to enjoy the beautiful sea views. It's also a good idea to reserve your tickets early just to be sure they don’t sell out!

Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.