Half price train tickets Manchester 2022: which routes have cheap fares, and when to book as rail sale starts

Over one million half price rail tickets have been released in the UK for what is the first time ever that multiple train operators have come together to provide nationwide savings.

Routes in and out of Manchester have been included within the discount tickets, including routes from Manchester to Newcastle.

Here’s all you need to know about which routes have cheap tickets and when you can book them.

When is the sale open?

The Great British Rail Sale gets underway on 19 April and half price rail tickets will be available to purchase until Monday, 2 May.

During this time, you will be able to book tickets for travel between Monday 25 April and Friday 27 May.

Which train tickets are discounted during the sale?

Until 2 May, a 50% discount will be available on two types of train tickets.

These are:

Advance train tickets

Single tickets for A to B rail journeys that are available to book ahead of time. Only valid for the time and date specified on the ticket.

Off-Peak train tickets

Semi-flexible tickets that let you travel by train at certain times of the day, certain days in the week or on specific routes.

Journeys which have these tickets available to buy must be booked at least a day in advance.

Which routes from Manchester are included in the sale?

Routes across the UK have been included in the half price rail tickets sale, including services calling at Manchester stations.

The line between Manchester Victoria and Newcastle is one service which has discounted tickets, with a single off peak ticket from Manchester costing £10.30 rather than £20.60.

Tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston are available on 3 May for £26.70, while the cheapest ticket on the same time train on 19 April is £68.60.

Trains from Piccadilly to Sheffield will also be discounted, with tickets available on the 5.42pm service costing as little as £3.50 compared to the regular £7.50 price.

Tickets for some services between Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street will be discounted, with tickets on the 6.27pm service available for £21.50 compared to the regular price of £42.10.

Trains north of the border are also included in the discount, with tickets on the 7.30pm service from Manchester Piccadilly to Glasgow Central on 3 May starting at £13.30 whereas tickets on this time train on 20 April would set you back £52.70.

Why are the tickets discounted?

The UK Government and national rail companies are working in partnership for the rail ticket sale.

Jacqueline Starr, CEO of the Rail Delivery Group and a key group behind the sale, said that people should benefit from discount travel as it is “more than just a journey”.

She said: “We want everyone to be able to benefit from travelling by train because it’s more than just a journey, it’s a way to connect everyone to the people, places and things they love.

“As part of the Great British Rail Sale customers will enjoy over one million discounted tickets, so they can explore some of the fantastic locations that are accessible by rail.”

Transport Secretary Grant Schapps said: “There’s no better time to visit friends, family or just explore our great country, so book your tickets today.”

Which train companies are taking part in the sale?

The full list of all train companies taking part in the sale are:

• Avanti West Coast
• C2C
• Chiltern Railways
• Cross Country
• East Midlands Railway
• Greater Anglia
• Great Northern
• Great Western Railway
• LNER
• London Northwestern Railway
• Northern
• South Western Railway
• Southeastern
• Southern
• Thames Link
• TransPennine Express
• West Midlands Railway

The discount tickets are available through the websites of your train company as well as through the Trainline website.