All aboard for savings: the Great British Rail Sale returns! - But Cash In On Scotrail Offers

31st December 2025

Discounted train tickets from almost all operators in Britain will be available to buy between 6 January to 12 January 2026.

the Great British Rail Sale is back, with huge discounts on over 3 million tickets - making train travel more affordable for everyone.

Plan Ahead and Book Early For The Deals

travel by rail between 13 January and 25 March 2026 on thousands of popular routes.

sale comes after the government has frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years, putting money back in passengers' pockets.

Millions of discounted train tickets for half-term activities, weekend getaways and commuting will be up for grabs next week. The week-long Great British Rail Sale, running from 6 to 12 January 2026, will give passengers the chance to save well over 50% on many advance and off-peak tickets.

The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026. Nearly all train operators are taking part, with routes spanning the length and breadth of Britain.

For those looking to visit museums or schedule meetings in the capital, £10 journeys are on offer from south coast destinations like Portsmouth to London Waterloo - that's a 59% saving. Or for those planning a quick getaway abroad, journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90.

The sale comes as the government eases the cost of living for hard-working people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.

The government is also bringing in major reform to Britain’s rail services by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – the new, nationalised organisation to run the railway. GBR will bring together 17 different organisations under a single directing mind, cutting through bureaucracy to deliver a rail network that passengers can rely on and be proud of.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in 3 decades to help ease the cost of living.

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.

This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale, with last year’s sale saving passengers around £8 per journey. Last year, over 1 million tickets were sold, bringing in over £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry.

Travelling by train remains one of the quickest and greenest ways to get around, with the government committed to getting more people onto the railways, cutting carbon emissions and freeing up vital space on our roads for emergency services and freight.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said:

The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail, whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new places. Rail continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions, supporting local economies and offering a more sustainable way to travel.

This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network from 6 January, giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small. By making rail travel more accessible, we hope even more people will enjoy the convenience and comfort of travelling by rail.

Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, said:

The new year provides 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.

Whether it’s a cultural break in one of our vibrant regional cities, a set jetting stay at a world-famous filming backdrop or the friendly welcome from our picturesque coastal and rural destinations, Britain has something for everyone to enjoy, creating memories of a lifetime for visitors.

Scotland

ScotRail is involved in the upcoming Great British Rail Sale period in January 2026, but there aren’t ScotRail‑only special discounts announced separately yet in the same way that England’s operators often publicise company‑specific deals. Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently known:

Great British Rail Sale 2026 — ScotRail is included

The Great British Rail Sale returns from 6 January to 12 January 2026, offering heavily discounted rail tickets on thousands of routes across Great Britain for travel between 13 January and 25 March 2026.

Millions of tickets will be discounted — often around 50 % or more on advance and off‑peak fares on routes across many operators.

While the government press release does not list every operator, almost all train companies participate in this sale — including ScotRail.

That means you should be able to pick up discounted ScotRail tickets during the sale window — but the key catch is:

How it works

The sale itself runs only for a limited week (6–12 Jan), and you must book during that week to access the discounted fares.
GOV.UK

Tickets are typically Advance fares or selected off‑peak deals, which are cheaper but tied to specific departure times — so availability can vary by route and demand.
Which?

Other ongoing ScotRail discount options

Even outside the formal rail sale, ScotRail offers year‑round ways to save that can be especially useful in January and beyond:

Railcards – If you hold a 26‑30 Railcard, Two Together, Senior, Disabled Persons, or similar UK railcard, you typically get 1/3 off many fares, including on ScotRail services.

Advance Single tickets – These are sold in limited quantities and can be up to 60 % cheaper than standard walk‑up fares if booked early.

Smartcard and Off‑Peak deals – There are discounts for ScotRail Smartcard ticket holders on certain routes and times.

Other seasonal deals – Offers like "Kids for a Quid" and group pricing also help reduce costs, and although these aren’t specific to January 2026, they run through the year.

Tips to get the best deals

Book early in the week of 6–12 January — once sale tickets are sold out, they don’t come back.

Search on both National Rail and ScotRail’s own site/app — fares can vary slightly between retailers.

Use a Railcard if eligible — even if a sale fare doesn’t stack with it, your overall savings on other journeys can be considerable.

Summary

ScotRail is participating in the Great British Rail Sale for January 2026, so you can get discounted ScotRail tickets if you book during the sale week.

No separate big ScotRail‑only January discount has been announced yet outside of the rail sale and regular ticketing discounts (like Advance fares and railcards).

You’ll get the best savings by booking early in the sale window and being flexible with travel times.