Rail fares frozen for the first time in 30 years

Rail fares in England have been frozen for the first time in 30 years as part of efforts to curb inflation and reduce the cost of living. The freeze will apply to 'regulated' fares controlled by the government, which include season tickets, anytime tickets around major cities, and off-peak return tickets between major cities. More than half of fares will not be covered by the freeze, including first class, saver tickets and advance tickets.

Annual ticket price increases are usually linked to the retail prices index (RPI) figure for the previous July, and kick in each March. For 2025, the government added 1% to RPI for a 4.6% rise. This followed 5.9% and 4.9% hikes in the two preceding years.

Alex Robertson, chief executive of the passenger watchdog Transport Focus, called the freeze "extremely welcome news for rail passengers who consistently tell us value for money is their highest priority".

Why have rail fares been frozen?

The rail fare freeze is part of the Treasury's effort to limit household costs and reduce inflation. The government estimates that transport costs account for 14% of household spending, so the decision should make a significant financial difference to those using trains.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said the freeze "will ease the pressure on household finances and make travelling to work, school or to visit friends and family that bit easier."

The government has said that, measured against an RPI-linked increase, a typical commuter will save:

• £315 per year travelling from Milton Keynes to London
• £173 per year travelling from Woking to London
• £57 per year travelling from Bradford to Leeds

The decision will bring additional cost to the Treasury, but the government hopes this will be outweighed by the potential for lower inflation and subsequent cuts to interest rates. There is also the benefit of more affordable travel, driving increased economic growth, a key part of the government's fiscal plan.

Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "More affordable fares will encourage greater use of public transport, supporting jobs, giving a shot in the arm to local economies and helping to improve the environment."

It is also worth noting that freezing rail fares keeps train travel more in line with the cost of driving, as fuel duty has been frozen since 2011 and was even cut in 2022.

Will the cost of train tickets go down?

The freeze does not mean that ticket prices will go down; in fact, more than half could still go up.

This is because under the current system of operating trains in the UK, prices for some ticket types are set not by the government, but by the train companies, even those now under public control. These ticket types include advance tickets, which are often the cheapest option for longer routes if booked well in advance of travel, as well as first-class and saver tickets. These make up just over half of all train tickets sold.

The government only has direct control over season tickets, anytime tickets around major cities, and off-peak return tickets between major cities.

This means the freeze applies only to ticket types regulated by the government, such as an off-peak return from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, not 'unregulated' tickets, such as an advance single from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly.

This year will be one of the last where the distinction between who exactly is increasing the cost of train travel - the government or the train companies - remains relevant, as all operators will be state-controlled by the end of 2027 under plans for a nationalised 'Great British Railways'.

How to get cheaper train tickets

Here are a few different ways you can reduce the cost of a train journey in the UK:

• Travel off-peak if you can - Off-peak tickets are usually cheaper than peak time tickets. Exact off-peak timings vary between operators, but generally apply to tickets for travel after around 9.30am.
• Book early - Advance fares are usually released at their cheapest price 12 weeks in advance, but will sell out fast on popular routes.
• Avoid booking fees - You will not be charged a booking fee if you buy tickets through a train operator, such as GWR, SWR or LNER, even if you are not travelling with that company. Third parties such as Trainline will charge booking fees for some purchases.
• Buy a railcard - Most railcards will get you a third off tickets, though restrictions apply to when you can use one and who can get one. Some can even be added to an Oyster card for discounted travel around London.
• Split tickets - Splitting your journey up into chunks and buying separate tickets for each can work out cheaper than buying one ticket. Some train-booking sites, including Trainline and TrainPal, will tell you if there is a cheaper 'split' option.
• Be flexible - Some train operators allow you to save a considerable amount on your ticket if you choose only a 'morning', 'afternoon' or 'evening' window for travel, rather than a particular train, with the exact time allocated 24 hours before departure. There is the 'secret fare' system operated by Seatfrog and the 'superfare' system used by Avanti West Coast.
• Take the scenic route - Some train journeys in the UK can be made via a few different routes, and choosing the longer way round or changing trains can be significantly cheaper. These discounted secondary routes include London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids, London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street and London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street via Stafford.
• Claim if you are delayed - The majority of train operators will refund a portion of your ticket if you are delayed for 15 minutes or more, provided you make a claim. The more time you are held up, the more you can get, and it usually reaches 100% of the cost of your ticket after an hour.