Rail sale: When you can access cheap train tickets and the operators taking part
It marks the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger train service
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Millions of train tickets will be discounted from next week in a sale announced by the Department for Transport (DfT)
More than two million train tickets will be on offer during the promotion.
Cheaper Advance and Off-Peak tickets will be available to buy in the rail sale between 14–20 January.
They will be sold for travel across Britain between 17 January and the end of March.
Sale tickets will be available on a limited basis.
The only operators in Britain not participating in the sale are Hull Trains, Lumo and Merseyrail.
Train ticket offers
Examples of price reductions on typical Advance fares include:
Examples of price reductions on typical Advance fares include:
– From London to Newcastle down from £52.10 to £23.60.
– From Nottingham to Manchester down from £18.50 to £9.20.
– From Glasgow to Inverness down from £28.10 to £14.10.
The DfT said passengers saved around £5.8 million during a similar scheme a year ago, when more than 600,000 tickets were sold.
This was worth £5.1 million in fares revenue and resulted in “an extra 440,000 journeys taken by train”, according to the department.
The DfT added that it “tasked the rail industry to deliver an even bigger sale” for 2025.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I’m launching the biggest ever rail sale so more passengers can get big discounts on train tickets to visit destinations across the country.
“Whether you’re planning a getaway or wanting to visit friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions on all sorts of journeys.”
The rail sale comes as the industry is marking the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger train service, when the Stockton and Darlington Railway in north-east England opened on 27 September 1825.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Over two centuries, rail has become a vital part of the UK, shaping the economy and lives of millions.
“The year’s rail sale will offer over two million discounted advance fares, which is a great way to save on your travel and celebrate 200 years of railway connections.”
Train fares will rise across England from 2 March.
The DfT set a cap of 4.6 per cent for increases in regulated fares, such as season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes and flexible tickets for travel around major cities.
The level of unregulated fare rises is decided by operators, although these are likely to rise by a similar amount as their finances are closely controlled by the DfT.
No announcements on fare rises have been made by the Scottish or Welsh governments.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments