Great British Rail sale 2026: Millions of UK train tickets discounted by half price or more - how long is sale on, how much could you save?
Millions of UK train tickets are currently discounted in the Great British Rail sale.
The Department for Transport has announced a huge flash sale starting on Tuesday, January 6, with more than four million discounted tickets available. Almost all UK train operators are taking part, with deals ranging from 50% to 70% off.
The discounts, which go live this morning and last for seven days, apply exclusively to journeys between January 13 and March 25. For example, a ticket from St Pancras to Whitstable, which would typically cost £15.10, will now only set you back only £7.50.
A £23 fare from Nottingham to London Terminals is down from £46, and a £1 Bolton to Manchester Piccadilly ticket, reduced from £2.50.
For a limited time a fare from Exeter to Waterloo will cost you only £10, compared to the usual price of £41.70 – that’s a 76% discount. Speaking on the sale, Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, stated: “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.” Between 6 and 12 January, browse for the cheapest discounted tickets on National Rail's Rail Sale webpage.
For a specific route, search for the journey you want via the train provider’s app or website – if it’s discounted, it should be indicated. If you're struggling to find a sale ticket on your route, try searching for different times of day to travel, in case the fare is discounted earlier or later.