The popular Government Rail Sale is back from Tuesday, 14th January, giving passengers across Britain the chance to grab discounted train tickets for travel between 17th January and 31st March. With over 2 million cut-price tickets on offer—many at 50% off their usual off-peak fare—this limited-time deal is expected to sell out quickly.
Deep Discounts for Popular Routes
Rail travelers can enjoy impressively low prices on several major routes. For instance:
- Liverpool to London from just £7
- Preston to Edinburgh for around £8.40 each way
- Nottingham to Manchester for under £10
These reduced fares will be available only between 14th January and 20th January, so anyone looking to plan a winter or early spring getaway should act fast.
Building on Last Year’s Success
Last year’s rail sale saved passengers a combined £5.8 million, and the government hopes to surpass that success by expanding the initiative during this year’s Railway 200 celebrations. With the rail network marking two centuries since its inception, the government has challenged train operators to encourage even more people to travel by train.
The industry has answered by making 2 million tickets available—more than three times the number offered in 2024. During that previous sale, an additional 440,000 journeys were taken across the country from January to March.
National Network Involvement
Both Transport for Wales and ScotRail are participating in this year’s sale, presenting an excellent opportunity for affordable trips throughout the UK. Passengers will also benefit from the enhanced service timetables introduced last December, which mean more frequent trains, more seats, and shorter journey times.
Driving Greener, Sustainable Travel
Rail connections are vital for economic growth, linking people to jobs, education, and leisure. Expanding passenger numbers also aligns with the government’s commitment to greener, more sustainable travel. The focus is on reducing road congestion and carbon emissions, all while supporting local economies.
A Government Priority
The annual sale highlights the ongoing push to prioritize passengers by offering savings that put money back into people’s pockets. With fares up to 50% off, 2025 is the perfect time to explore more of Britain and join in celebrating 200 years of rail travel.
“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.
Make the most of this sale, get your tickets while you can!”
— Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State
Don’t miss out on these savings—be ready to book on 14th January and make the most of Britain’s railways during this historic bicentenary year.
