Great Western Railway (GWR) is joining the trend for New Year Sales with 225,000 train tickets for sale at up to 50% off.

The sale starts on Friday, 2nd January, the day after New Year’s Day, and runs for just four days until Monday, 5th January, and will be valid for travel between Friday, 9th January and Friday, 10th April 2026.

Of the 225,000 tickets on sale, 150,000 are for Standard Class and 75,000 for First Class seats.

The discount of up to 50% off applies to the cost of the most popular Advance purchase tickets for travel across GWR’s network.

Typical reduced price tickets include £22 for a journey between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads, and £38 for an Advance single fare travelling in First Class between London Paddington and Bath Spa.

Those are just examples, and some journeys will be available with tickets costing as little as seven pence per mile.

Suggestions for taking advantage of the offer are enjoying winter coastal walks in Devon and Cornwall, or a city break in London, Cardiff or Oxford. Great Western Railway serves many of the most popular destinations in south-west England and Wales.

Discounted tickets go on sale from Friday, 2nd to Monday, 5th January 2026, and can be booked online at www.gwr.com/sale. With limited tickets available, customers should book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

During the festive period, some train services leaving from and arriving at London Paddington station between Saturday, 27th December and Sunday, 4th January, will be affected by engineering work.

Train operator Northern had a special offer this Christmas, with discounted fares to various Yorkshire Christmas Markets for just £2.

“January can feel like the longest month of the year – the decorations come down, the excitement fades, and we’re left with the return to routine. Our January sale is all about giving you something wonderful to look forward to. Whether it’s a romantic weekend escape, quality time with family or friends you didn’t get to see over Christmas, or simply treating yourself to a change of scenery. The GWR network connects you to hundreds of incredible destinations, so why wait for your next adventure? Give yourself – and the people you care about – something truly special to look forward to this New Year.”

Amanda Burns, GWR Sales and Marketing Director