The Great British Rail Sale returns for its fourth year, giving passengers the chance to buy advance and off-peak train tickets at a fraction of the normal price. The initiative, launched by the UK Government, aims to make rail travel more affordable and accessible during the quieter winter season.

The promotion comes at a time when public transport is under pressure to attract more travellers, with efforts underway to rebuild confidence following the pandemic. It also coincides with a rare freeze in regulated rail fares, marking the first time in three decades that prices will not increase in line with inflation.

Substantial Price Cuts Across Key Regional and Long-Distance Routes
The sale period will run from 6 to 12 January 2026, with discounted tickets valid for travel between 13 January and 25 March. According to the Department for Transport, nearly all train operators across England, Scotland and Wales are participating, offering reduced fares on thousands of routes. A total of four million tickets are expected to be made available.

Some of the most significant savings include the journey from Exeter to London Waterloo, where the price has dropped from £41.70 to £10, a 76% reduction. Travellers from Portsmouth to London Waterloo can also benefit from a fare cut of 59%, with tickets reduced to £10. The Nottingham to London route has been halved to £23, while Sheffield to London will now cost £25.50, down from £51.

Shorter trips are also included in the sale. For example, Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells will fall from £8.10 to £4, and Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport is available for just £1.20 instead of the usual £2.90. According to data from last year’s sale, passengers saved on average £8 per journey, with more than one million tickets sold during that campaign.

Discounted tickets are only valid for selected advance and off-peak services and are typically non-refundable. Availability varies depending on route and operator, with passengers advised to book early through train company websites or national ticket retailers.

A Push to Boost Domestic Tourism and Rail Use
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the promotion is part of a broader strategy to support households and encourage rail use. “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,” she said. “It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”

According to VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, the campaign is also designed to support the tourism sector during the off-peak winter period. She described it as “the perfect opportunity to hop onto a train and explore Britain’s great tourism treasures sustainably, boosting the economy by supporting our fantastic visitor experiences and attractions.”

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, added that the initiative was about making rail travel “more accessible” while reinforcing its role in local economies. “This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network,” she said, “giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small.”

The initiative is also tied to a wider reform of the rail network, including the upcoming establishment of Great British Railways, a new public body intended to unify the management of infrastructure and services. According to government sources, the long-term goal is to simplify operations and deliver a system that better meets the needs of passengers.