Keep rail travel costs cool this summer: GWR’s hints on how to hack the Big Rail Fares Freeze

Great Western Railway (GWR) is helping customers to hack the Big Rail Fares Freeze and make the most of summer staycations, alongside a range of money-saving ticket options designed to keep travel costs firmly on ice.

For the first time in 30 years, government has frozen regulated rail fares across England until March 2027, meaning customers travelling with Standard Class Season Tickets, Anytime and Off-Peak tickets will not see the annual increase usually applied to these fares. The fare freeze is expected to save passengers around £600 million nationally, helping commuters, families and leisure travellers get more value from rail travel. But the Fares Freeze isn’t the only way that customers can keep their travel budgets lower than the mercury during the heatwave. GWR’s Head of Marketing, Helen daCosta, said: “The Big Rail Fare Freeze is great news for customers, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There is a whole host of ways to save this summer, and our aim is to help our customers keep their staycation budgets cool this summer with some simple hacks.” Whether it is booking Advance fares, using a Railcard, travelling with friends, making the most of a Long Weekender ticket or earning discounts through GWR Rewards, there are plenty of ways to put the freeze on travel costs while exploring some fantastic destinations across our network.”

Here are GWR’s cool tips to save this summer

 Get rewarded for travelling

Join GWR Rewards for free and enjoy benefits from your first trip, including 40% off a future qualifying journey, a free hot drink and onboard discounts. Travel more to unlock free tickets and First Class perks.

Book Ahead with Advance tickets

Book early for some of GWR’s lowest fares, with journeys from London Paddington starting from £25 to Bristol, £32 to Cardiff and £41.50 to Plymouth. Advance tickets can save more than 50%.

Grab a Railcard

Railcards can save eligible customers up to one-third on most fares, with options available for young people, families, couples and seniors.

  Travel together with GroupSave

Groups of three to nine adults can save one-third on selected Standard Off-Peak fares, making days out even better value.

Make family adventures go further

GWR’s Family Ticket helps keep the cost of summer days out to destinations such as Cornwall, Bath and Bristol firmly under control.

Choose Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak

Travel outside the busiest times for extra savings and a more relaxed journey.

Stretch your break with a Long Weekender

Travel out on Friday or Saturday and back on Monday to save more than 50% versus an Anytime Return. Return fares start from £94 to both Bath and Bristol, £124 to Cardiff, and £139 to Exeter. Add a Weekend First upgrade from just £10 for an extra-special trip.

Save on attractions too

Enjoy rail-exclusive offers including 30% off Blenheim Palace, discounted theatre tickets, city tours and hundreds of 2FOR1 attraction deals across the network.

All these offers along with the Big Rail Fare Freeze means customers can put their budget apps on ice knowing they’ve got rail travel this summer well and truly hacked. 

For more information along with and terms and conditions, head to gwr.com/your-tickets/ways-to-save