Man spends £40 on GWR train ticket but makes shocking discovery on board

From time to time, people need to catch trains - whether that's commuting to work, heading out for a shopping trip or catching a gig - and these journeys can throw up all manner of experiences. But one man was recently left stunned after shelling out £40 for a train ticket from Reading to Bristol.

When he climbed aboard the train, he couldn't fathom what greeted him, leaving him utterly gobsmacked. The unnamed man shared his experience on Reddit, and it's safe to say it's sparked quite the debate, as people were astounded by what he encountered on the service.

Posting alongside a snap of vacant seats, he penned: "7.15am, Reading to Bristol - £40 a ticket. Surely lowering prices is better than this Great Western Railway (GWR)?" He then questioned whether rail fares are too pricey, with costs differing between various operators.

• Inside the 'prettiest street in Britain' where you'll need a whole day to explore
• The seaside town with a high street that's barely changed in 100 years

Having journeyed during rush hour, when commuters are travelling to work, it's hardly surprising he was left bewildered. In his photograph, the visible portion of the carriage was completely deserted, which is rarely witnessed in many locations.

The post has racked up thousands of views, with hundreds of users weighing in on the issue. Numerous people remarked they've spotted that fares can be eye-watering in certain cases.

One individual commented: "I was looking at going to London after Christmas with two kids and two adults yesterday. £350 for a day return. I can put £60 in my car and drive there and then put £60 in my car and drive home."

Another added: "Was thinking about going to Edinburgh for the weekend. A couple of return tickets from near Manchester to Edinburgh (off peak)... Almost £300."

A third replied: "Was in Italy the other day and wanted a train from Livorno to Pisa. Only about a 30 to 40 minute ride, but only cost about two quid on the day (one way), and the train somehow had three levels with the bottom level for people with bikes and things."

Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: "Needed to get home from Southampton to Middlesbrough with only three days notice the other day. £130 and THREE changes, including two changes in Central London."

Some people shared success stories and tips though, with one person saying: "Advance tickets help, I got from London to Dorchester and back last weekend for about £20. My guess is the tickets from Reading to Bristol at 7.15am could have been free and it wouldn't look much different."

Someone else also chimed in with: "I don't think the ticket prices, as expensive as they are, would make a difference to someone's decision on whether or not to take a 7.15am train. You either have to go that early or not, and if you have to you have to."

GWR explains that fares can fluctuate based on seat availability. But the rail operator does provide advice on securing bargain tickets.

Passengers can snap up the best deals by booking early. With GWR, travellers can reserve certain journeys up to three months ahead, and sometimes even six months in advance. Passengers can also pocket substantial savings by purchasing a season ticket, which will also help you dodge the daily ticket office queues.

This is seen as a savvy choice for frequent travellers and those who use the same route several times a week. You can also nab a 1/3 off rail travel on selected routes with a Railcard.

Some examples of what's up for grabs include 16-25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together Railcard and a Family and Friends Railcard. GWR has been approached for additional details, but you can discover more about cheap train tickets on their website.