‘The Rail Sale is back,’ said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, confirming a week-long discount from Tuesday 6 to Monday 12 January 2026. The Department for Transport says more than three million tickets will be reduced, with many Advance and Off‑Peak fares dropping by well over half.

In the North, the headline prices are eye‑catching: Bolton to Manchester Piccadilly for £1 (down from £2.50), Blackpool North to Manchester Piccadilly for £3.50 (was £7.90), Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western for £1.60 (was £3.70), Manchester Piccadilly to the Airport for £1.20 (was £2.90), and Newcastle to Middlesbrough for £2 (was £5.20).

Sale tickets bought during that week can be used for trips between Tuesday 13 January and Wednesday 25 March 2026, covering weekends and the February half‑term. Nearly all operators are taking part and routes stretch the length of Britain, the DfT says.

Alexander said the discounts sit alongside a freeze in rail fares ‘for the first time in three decades’ to support people with the cost of living. While deals bring welcome relief on price, delivery on punctual services will decide whether more travellers stick with rail beyond March.

Ministers are also pushing structural reform. Great British Railways-the planned nationalised body-would bring 17 organisations under a single directing mind, aiming to cut duplication and speed up decisions, according to the DfT.

Industry backs the January push. ‘The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail,’ said Rail Delivery Group chief executive Jacqueline Starr, calling it a chance to save on ‘journeys big and small’ across the network.

Tourism leaders see an off‑season boost. VisitBritain’s Patricia Yates called it the perfect prompt to explore regional cities, coastal towns and film‑famous backdrops, supporting attractions through the quieter months.

This is the fourth year of the promotion. DfT figures show last year’s sale shifted more than a million tickets, saving passengers around £8 per journey on average and generating over £9 million in revenue for the industry.

Practicalities matter. The sale covers many Advance and Off‑Peak fares, seats are limited, and not every train or time will be included. If you have fixed dates, move quickly when the offers open.

For longer trips, the government’s list includes Sheffield to London from £25.50 and Nottingham to London from £23-both marked at 50 per cent off. But the everyday win for our patch is on short hops often cheaper than a bus single: the £1 Bolton–Manchester and £1.20 Piccadilly–Airport fares.

Tickets go on sale from Tuesday 6 to Monday 12 January via train operators and authorised retailers. Travel dates run from Tuesday 13 January to Wednesday 25 March 2026. Always check the operator’s terms before you click buy.

Whether it’s a half‑term getaway, visiting family or shaving a few quid off the airport run, this sale brings national policy to street level in the North. If it helps rebuild trust in rail, that would be a welcome change.