(Image: Dylan Connell)
York City fans face some of the highest rail costs in League Two for following their team on the road.
New research by TrainPal shows that York City supporters would spend an estimated £1,861.42 on rail travel over a full season of away matches, averaging £80.93 per trip.
This places York eighth out of 24 teams in League Two for away-day travel costs and 21st out of 92 clubs across the top four divisions of English football.
A spokesperson for TrainPal said: "Away fans are some of football's most committed supporters, but our analysis shows they are not all starting from the same position.
"Where your club is based can add almost £2,000 to the cost of travelling to league away games across a season.
"For many fans, the train remains part of what makes an away day an away day.
"Travelling together, arriving in the heart of a town or city and not having to worry about driving home afterwards are all part of the collective experience.
"Our role is to help supporters find the best value available when they choose to travel by rail."
The research highlights that a club’s location can influence travel costs even more than the division it plays in, with supporters facing a “postcode lottery” on what they might pay over the course of the season.
Exeter City fans face the highest rail costs in League Two, with an estimated season total of £2,456.05.
This compares to Walsall supporters, who pay the lowest in the division — and across all four leagues — at £1,147.98.
The difference between the highest and lowest is more than £1,300.
In the wider English league system, Plymouth Argyle fans face the steepest away-day rail costs, estimated at £3,100.74 for the season.
The analysis also emphasises that supporters can make savings by booking early, using railcards, and exploring split-ticketing options.
TrainPal’s spokesperson added: "That doesn't mean supporters should simply accept the first fare they see.
"Planning ahead, comparing ticket options, checking for additional fees, and using Railcards where eligible can all make a real difference over the course of a season."
Split-ticketing — a method that involves booking multiple tickets for different segments of a journey rather than a single direct fare — can also help reduce costs.
The spokesperson said: "Features such as split-ticketing give fans more ways to save, particularly those making regular journeys throughout the season."
Below are the League Two rail travel rankings based on TrainPal’s research:
- Exeter City – £2,456.05
- Colchester United – £2,379.80
- Gillingham – £2,349.90
- Crawley Town – £2,203.31
- Swindon Town – £2,089.26
- Grimsby Town – £1,897.23
- Barnet – £1,875.43
- York City – £1,861.42
- Fleetwood Town – £1,756.69
- Bristol Rovers – £1,712.36
Clubs located more centrally typically enjoy lower travel costs.
Teams like Chesterfield, Oldham Athletic, Crewe Alexandra, and Port Vale appear towards the bottom of the cost table.
Walsall, the most affordable for rail travel, comes in at less than half the cost of Exeter City.
TrainPal recommends fans use all available tools — including split-ticketing and advance booking — to keep costs down and make away days more affordable throughout the season.
For the full rankings, please visit the blog at: https://www.mytrainpal.com/guide/football-fanbases-with-the-highest-train-costs