The Great British Rail Sale will return next week, offering discounts on more than three million train tickets across England, Scotland and Wales.
The week-long promotion will run from 6 to 12 January, with reduced fares available for travel between 13 January and 25 March 2026 on thousands of routes.
Nearly all train operators are taking part in the sale, which applies to a wide range of advance and off-peak tickets. Many fares will be discounted by more than 50 percent, covering journeys for commuting, leisure travel and school half-term breaks.
Great British Railways Branding
© Department for Transport
Examples of discounted fares include journeys from Portsmouth to London Waterloo priced at 10 GBP, compared with a standard fare of 24.60 GBP, and travel between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport reduced to 1.20 GBP from 2.90 GBP. Longer-distance routes are also included, with tickets from Exeter to London Waterloo available for 10 GBP, down from 41.70 GBP.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:
The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living.
We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions.
It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.
The announcement follows the Government’s decision to freeze regulated rail fares, marking the first such freeze in three decades. Ministers say the move is intended to help manage household travel costs while encouraging greater use of the rail network.
The sale is now in its fourth year. During last year’s promotion, more than one million tickets were sold, generating over 9 million GBP in revenue for the rail industry. Data from the previous sale suggests passengers saved an average of around 8 GBP per journey.
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said:
The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail, whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new places. Rail continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions, supporting local economies and offering a more sustainable way to travel.
This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network from 6 January, giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small. By making rail travel more accessible, we hope even more people will enjoy the convenience and comfort of travelling by rail.
Alongside the sale, the Government is continuing work on structural reform of the rail system through the planned creation of Great British Railways, a new public body intended to bring together infrastructure and service oversight under a single organisation. The reform programme aims to simplify management arrangements and improve reliability for passengers.
The discounted tickets will be available through train operators’ websites and ticket retailers during the sale window, with availability varying by route and operator. Passengers are advised to check specific travel conditions, as tickets are typically non-refundable and subject to seat availability.
Tags