Great British Rail Sale: here’s how to get 50% off UK train fares - ends today

Travelling by train should be the cleanest, greenest, cheapest way to travel. Quite often though, it can feel like you’re paying an extortionate amount to get from A to B. So we’re happy to report that you can currently nab half-price train tickets across the UK as part of the Great British Rail Sale. This limited-time, limited-availability sale is valid for travel between 17 January and 31 March, 2025 and ends at midnight, Monday 20 January. 

If you’re thinking of booking a weekend escape, want to explore a new area with the kids, need to plan a family catch-up or just want to save big on a regular journey, it’s well worth booking tickets right now. The savings are valid on Advance Standard fares and you’ll need to book at least three days ahead. 

We love the fact that the discounted fares are valid over February half term. Perfect timing if you’re looking to plan a day trip with the kids or want to escape on a UK family holiday or a city break. 

We’ve trawled through the timetables to get an idea of sale fares on popular routes. We used London has a starting point but fares are valid across the UK. As ever, you’ll find the cheapest tickets on off-peak journeys and you’re likely to get the best bargains if you can be flexible on times and dates. Look out for fares flagged as ‘Rail Sale’ and on the Trainline site, the cheapest fares are highlighted in yellow.

Example fares in the Great British Rail Sale

• London to Birmingham... £10 return 

• London to Brighton... £8 return

• London to Leeds... £37 return

• London to York... £29 return 

• London to Edinburgh... £59 return 

• London to Cardiff... £58 return 

• London to Manchester... £15 return 

• London to Newquay... £67 return 

If you’re thinking of taking advantage of the cheap rail fares to plan a family escape, we’ve got handy travel guides to the best family hotels in London (as well as some budget London options), Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Wales, Brighton, the Cotswolds, Yorkshire, the New Forest, Northumberland and more, all featuring top tips and recommendations from Mumsnet users. 

Some things to be aware of when booking tickets 

Lookout for the fares marked with a 'Sale' label to get the cheapest tickets 👀

• Sale fares are valid for travel between 17 January and 31 March, 2025

• Tickets must be purchased at least three days before travel

• Services may be limited on some services due to industrial action 

• Railcards cannot be used in conjunction with this promo

• Advance tickets are non refundable. Off-peak tickets are refundable (although you might have to pay an admin fee) 

The following train operators are taking part in the Great British Rail Sale. You can book directly with any of the train companies but we found the best way to check sale fares across different routes is by using the Trainline site. 

Participating rail operators: Avanti West Coast, C2C, Chiltern, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Govia Thameslink Railway, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Grand Central, Greater Anglia, London North Eastern Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, South Western Railway, Southeastern, Southern, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales, and West Midlands Railway.

About the author 

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel. She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London and loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far.

Prices correct at the time of writing. Terms and conditions apply