The Great British Rail Sale is now on! With a whopping 50% off unforgettable train journeys, this is your ticket to get out and about for half the normal price. Letting you travel for less this winter.
This massive savings event runs from 14th January – 20th January 2025, or whenever tickets sell out!
There are 500k tickets available for exciting days out across the North, with over 500 destinations to choose from including Manchester, Leeds, Cumbria, Peak District and more, for travel between 19th January and 31st March 2025.
Check out all the cheap fares part of the sale on the National website.
While you're here...
Why not take some inspiration on great activities and days out across the North you can experience with your family and friends.
Whatever you're into, we've got bags of content on all the days out and trips you can take on Northern's extensive network.
Download the Northern App
Buy via the Northern app where you can find your train tickets and times all in one place, with no booking fees!
- The promoter of this offer is Northern Trains Limited (trading as Northern) whose correspondence address is Northern Trains, George Stephenson House, Toft Green, York, YO1 6JT (the “Promoter”).
- The “Promotional Routes” means any of the Promoter’s rail services available to view at https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/sale
- The “Start Date” shall mean the 14th January 2025. The “End Date” shall mean the 20th January 2025.
- A “Qualifying Ticket” means any single adult or child Standard Advance Ticket purchased online (https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/) or via the Promoter’s mobile phone application (https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/app) on or after the Start Date that is valid for travel between 19.01.25 – 31.03.25 (inclusive).
- For the avoidance of doubt a return ticket does not constitute a Qualifying Ticket.
- The discount applied will be 50% off the fare cost available 8 weeks prior to travel for routes between the start and end date.
- Minimum 500k qualifying tickets will be available across the Northern network on Advance ticket routes only.
- Number of promotional tickets varies by train service.
- Up to two children under the age of 5 years may travel free with each adult that holds a Qualifying Ticket.
- All purchases of Qualifying Tickets are subject to the Promoter’s terms and conditions available to view at https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/legal/conditions-of-travel and https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/legal/booking-service-terms-and-conditions.
- Qualifying Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel and are only available while stocks last.
- A Qualifying Ticket cannot be purchased in conjunction with a Railcard.
- A Qualifying Ticket is valid for travel ONLY on the date and service stated on the ticket and passengers must travel in the Class shown on the ticket.
- Passengers may not start, break and resume, or end their journey at any intermediate station except to change to/from connecting trains as shown on their Qualifying Ticket or other valid travel itinerary.
- Qualifying Tickets are non-refundable. Unless industrial action is announced, when the tickets could be changed in line with our Advance fares. Full T’s and C’s available at: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/tickets/advance
- The National Rail Conditions of Travel apply for travel on all of the Promoter’s rail services. A copy of the National Rail Conditions of Travel is available at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/46427.aspx
Rail Sale tickets are limited and subject to availability and exclusions. See full terms & conditions for more details. Book between 14 January and 20 January 2025 for travel between 17 January and 31 March 2025. Tickets must be bought at least 3-7 days prior to travel. Promotional tickets are available on selected routes only. Booking fees may apply. This sale is mainly available online. Please contact your train company if you have specific accessibility requirements.
Please note the following routes are excluded on the below days.
Saturdays
- Leeds - Lincoln
- Leeds - Nottingham
- Manchester - Stoke
- Sheffield - Manchester
Sundays
- Barrow/Windermere - Manchester Airport
- Crewe - Manchester via Stockport
- Manchester Victoria - Chester
- Liverpool - Manchester via Earlestown
- Liverpool - Manchester via Warrington
- Manchester - Chester via Altrincham
- Manchester - Stoke
- Oxenholme - Windermere
- Oxford Road - Southport
- Preston - Colne
- Sheffield - Manchester
- Southport - Stalybridge
When does the sale end?
The Great British rail sale ends on Monday 20th January 2025 or whilst tickets last. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Where can I purchase tickets in sale?
Sale tickets can be purchased on the Northern website, app and in ticket offices.
How do I find fares?
Simply search for the route as you normally would on the Northern site or app and select your travel dates.
Travel dates between 19th January 2025 and 31st March 2025
What dates are the tickets valid for travel?
Sale tickets are only valid for travel between 19th January 2025 and 31st March 2025
How will I receive my sale ticket(s)?
As an e-ticket.
An e-ticket, or electronic ticket, is a PDF version of a train ticket. Emailed to you after purchase online or via the app, you can print it out yourself, or simply display it on your mobile device.
Do I need a promotional code?
There’s no promotional code needed – simply search for the route as you normally would on the Northern website or app, choose your travel dates and select your Advance Purchase Ticket!
Can Railcards be used with these offers?
No railcards can be used in the Sale.
Can children still get half price tickets?
Children tickets will be priced at half of the adult fare.
Is a child aged 0-5 years old still free?
Yes, children aged 0-5 can always travel free.
Can I buy sale tickets for other train operators?
The sale is on for other operators too, however please see their websites for terms and conditions as they may differ between Train Operating Companies.
Why isn’t the offer coming up when I search for tickets?
There could be a number of reasons for this;
- There are a limited number of tickets available across the network
- The travel dates must be between 19th January 2025 and 31st March 2025, and the sale fare must be purchased 5 days in advance
- If the journey details are correct, it could be because this route is serviced by various operators. You can now search for ‘Northern only’ services on the app by selecting ‘Advanced search options’ and click ‘our trains only’
- Advance tickets are not available for the route you are looking at
- Some routes or trains are excluded from the sale. Please see ‘Exclusions apply on the following routes’ tab above for details
What happens if a strike day is announced?
Sale fares and discounts will be removed from strike days, and industry wide T’s & C’s will apply.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.