More than two million train tickets to be discounted during sale next week

More than two million train tickets will be discounted during a promotion starting next week, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

Cheaper Advance and Off-Peak tickets will be available to buy in the rail sale between January 14 and 20.

They will be sold for travel across Britain between January 17 and the end of March.

Examples of price reductions on typical Advance fares – which are the cheapest tickets and must be used on specific trains – provided by the DfT 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.

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.

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 September 27 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 March 2.

The DfT set a cap of 4.6% 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.

Published: 10/01/2025 by Radio NewsHub