Some regulated fares include single and return tickets, season tickets covering most English commuter routes, off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys and flexible tickets for travel in and around major cities.
Train operators are free to set prices for unregulated fares, but they typically rise by similar amounts. Fares in England will be going up by 4.6%, while the price of most railcards across the UK will go up by £5.
Around 45% of rail fares are regulated by the government in England, Wales and Scotland.
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If you travel by train regularly, you could save BIG on your journeys. For just £30 (when purchased before 10pm on 1st March 2025*), you can enjoy 1/3 off your rail travel for an entire year!
— Railcards (@_Railcards) February 25, 2025
The Treasury said the 4.6% increase to regulated rail fares in 2025 was one percentage point above July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation.
The government said: “It’s the lowest absolute increase in three years.”
It added that the £5 rise in the cost of most railcards – which provide discounts for targeted groups of people – would be subject to an industry review.
Most generally cost £30 per year, which will be going up to £35.
Railcards currently include those for younger and older people, with the most popular being:
- If you’re aged 16-25 or are studying full time, you can get 1/3 off all train travel with a 16-25 Railcard.
- There’s also a 26-30 Railcard, which also offers 1/3 off train fares for travel across Scotland, England and Wales.
- For ages 60 and over, there’s also a Senior Railcard.
How to beat the rail fare increases
There are a number of ways you can limit the impact of price increases on your rail fares.
That could include looking at a season ticket for regular journeys – some employers can help with a loan for these.
If possible, buy your railcard or season ticket before midnight on March 1, when the fares go up.
Or, if you’re taking a lengthy train journey, then you could save hundreds of pounds by splitting your tickets.
Recommended Reading:
Season ticket increases in England
Many season ticket holders will feel a big increase if they renew from March 2.
For example, a yearly ticket from Rugby, in the Midlands, to London will rise by £496.62 to £11,292.62.
And the commute from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, to London will leap by £357.33 to £8,125.33.
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