Great British Rail Sale returns: How much could you save?

The Great British Rail Sale is back for a fourth year next week, offering cut-price travel on thousands of popular routes.

Nearly all train operators are taking part in the government scheme, which starts on 6 January and runs until 12 January.

The discounted tickets can be used for travel between 13 January and 25 March.

So if you want to travel to work for less or save money on weekend getaways and half-term activities, it could be worth seeing what deals are on offer.

“We all want to see cheaper rail travel,” said transport secretary Heidi Alexander.

“Whether you’re planning a half-term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions.”

How much money could I save?

Last year, passengers who took advantage of the discounts were able to save around £8 per journey.

Highlights of this year’s sale include:

• Exeter to London Waterloo - down from £41.70 to £10, a 76% saving
• Portsmouth to London Waterloo - down from £24.60 to £10, a saving of 59%
• Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport - down from £2.90 to £1.20 - a 59% cut

“It means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living,” the transport secretary added.

How can I save money on train tickets?

If you travel by train and want to cut costs, or you’re put off using them because they’re too expensive, there are ways to find better deals at any time of year.

Season ticket

If you travel regularly, you could save money by getting an annual season ticket.

Use National Rail’s season ticket calculator to find out more.

Split your journey

Two single tickets can sometimes be cheaper than a return ticket.

Check sites like TrainSplit or Split Your Ticket to cut the cost of your journey.

Get a railcard

A railcard gives you a third off ticket prices for about £30 a year.

There are options for families, retirees and students.

Book early

Try to book at least 12 weeks before travelling for the best deals.

Set alerts on Trainline for when advance tickets come up.

For no booking fees, check National Rail’s list for advance booking dates.