Discover affordable adventures with ScotRail's cheap train tickets.
Are you ready to embark on exciting journeys across Scotland without breaking the bank? We understand that affordable travel is the key to unforgettable experiences. Our dedicated Cheap Train Tickets guide is your gateway to discovering budget-friendly ways to explore some of the most captivating destinations.
Finding uncomplicated fares that fit your requirements might sound like a pipe dream, but we can assure you it’s not. There’s a cheap train ticket to suit all scenarios, and we’re here to help you discover your perfect fit. Commuting to work, travelling for study, or taking a long-awaited family holiday? We’ve got the ideal ticket for you.
ScotRail is committed to making your journey accessible and enjoyable. We want you to experience the magic of Scotland without worrying about the cost. Our goal is to empower you to explore more, see more, and save more. Here, we'll guide you on how to make the most of your travel budget, so you can focus on what truly matters - your adventures.
Types of Tickets & Railcards
We believe there's a ticket or railcard for everyone, and we're here to help you choose the one that suits your journey best. Who says you have to compromise on flexibility for affordability? We certainly don’t, and we’re going to show you just a few great options.
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Advance train tickets: These little gems are your ticket to the best bargains. They're the cheapest option, but there's a catch—they must be booked in advance. So, if you're a savvy planner, these are your golden tickets to up to a 60%* saving on train travel.
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Kids for a Quid tickets: Say yes to affordable family adventures! Up to four children can hop on board for just £1 return each when accompanied by a paying adult. It's available every day, all year round - even during school holidays. You can grab this deal at a station ticket office or onboard the train. Plus, enjoy a bonus—one child gets free entry to top attractions.
- Group Train Tickets & Discounts: Whether you’re travelling with family or friends, there are numerous group discounts available to help lower your train fare. Secure a Friends Fare when you travel as a group of 3-4 and book early for the best prices—up to 12 weeks in advance. Or, nab a GroupSave ticket when you’re a party of 3-5, and save up to 1/3 on train tickets.
- Off-Peak Fares All Day Long: Yes, you read that right. For six months from 2 October 2023, we’re offering Off-Peak fares all day long to ScotRail customers. Funded by the Scottish Government, this trial promotes flexibility and accessibility in rail travel.
- 16-25 Railcard and 26-30 Railcard: Enjoy simple and affordable travel during some of the most exciting years of your life. Visiting friends at university, heading home for some much-needed family time, or getting the day-to-day stuff sorted? A 16-25 or 26-30 railcard gets you a ⅓ off rail fares for just £30 per year!
- Club 50: Become a Club 50 member and make those once-in-a-lifetime journeys possible, thanks to discounted travel and flat fares - all for just £15 per year. If you’re over the age of 50, you can access cheap train tickets as well as enjoy 50% off hot and cold drinks on board.
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Highland Railcard: Do you live in the North & West Highland regions of Scotland and are over 16 years old? Stay connected with a Highland Railcard that gives you 50% off fares no matter what time of day you travel. Available to those living within certain North & West Highland postcodes only.
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Two Together Railcard: Any named dynamic duo over the ages of 16 can benefit from a ⅓ off rail fares when travelling together. For just £30 a year, two named passengers can buy discounted tickets on any off-peak journeys during the week, or at any time at the weekends.
Top Saving Tips
As the saying goes, when sticking to your budget, fail to prepare, and prepare to fail. Of course, making the most of fantastic ticket offers, railcards, and discounts will help keep the cost of your train fares down. But there are some other things that will help save you money on your travel expenses.
We’ve got some top saving tips for you so you can get to more of your favourite places for less!
- Book in Advance: Whenever possible, book your train tickets in advance to secure lower fares, preferred seats, and travel times.
- Use Railcards: Choose from one of our many brilliant railcards, and bring the cost of your train tickets down by up to 50%.
- Seek Group Discounts: If you're travelling with a group, inquire about group discounts, which can be a cost-effective way to enjoy the journey together.
- Look out for promotions & trials: Keep an eye out for limited promotions and trials, like the Off-Peak fares all day long trial, that may reduce train ticket costs for you. You can be the first to hear about these when you sign up to receive our e-newsletters.
How to book cheap train tickets
Now you know how to get your hands on cheerfully cheap train fares, allow us to walk you through how to start booking.
You’ll need to buy before you board where possible and hold a valid ticket in order to travel by train with ScotRail.
Everyone is different, so whether you prefer to purchase tickets in person, or get tickets straight to your mobile on the go, we've got you covered. No matter how you buy, you won’t ever have to pay a booking fee with ScotRail on top of the ticket price. Get your journey rolling in no time with these simple ways to buy tickets for train travel.
Using cash or card, you can purchase cheap train tickets from one of our staffed station ticket offices, or from our ticket vending machines (TVMs). Make sure you’ve given yourself enough time to buy a ticket before your train is due.
During peak times, our station ticket office staff aim to serve our customers within 5 minutes, and within 3 minutes during off-peak periods. If you like to be organised and beat the queues, you can still buy tickets from stations in advance, whenever it suits you.
Select the best ticket type for your journey either online or through our handy mobile app. Whether you need a Flexipass or an Anytime day return ticket, the process is wonderfully easy on our website. You can buy a train ticket online here.
If mobile is your preference, you can get Singles, Returns and Advance train tickets on the ScotRail app via mTickets. The App is free to use and will give you live journey information on the go.
Get ready for faster, secure, and budget-friendly train travel with ScotRail Smartcards. These electronic ticket holders let you tap in and out at station validators and use automatic gates, ensuring a smooth journey. You can purchase a range of ticket types on Smartcards, including Season Tickets and Flexipass for extra savings.
Plus, as a Smartcard Season Ticket holder, you can enjoy a third off Standard Off-Peak tickets for you and up to three fellow travellers when you book online with Smart Rewards.
Awe-Inspiring Journeys at Affordable Prices
Get ready for three remarkable journeys through some of Scotland's most stunning destinations, all while keeping your budget in check. Rattle through the captivating West Highlands, the scenic Kyle of Lochalsh, and the vibrant city of Edinburgh, and experience a range of incredible adventures at pocket-friendly prices.
Whether you're yearning for dramatic landscapes, coastal tranquillity, or urban excitement, these three expeditions promise awe-inspiring beauty without straining your wallet.
Widely considered one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world, The West Highland Line promises unmatched breathtaking beauty. Pull away from bustling Glasgow and immerse yourself in the natural wonder of Scotland’s west coast.
We’ve covered galavanting around the Scottish west coast, but what about heading to the gorgeous city of Glasgow? Named the “world’s friendliest city”, the warmth you’ll feel from the countless shops, bars, and restaurants will have you never wanting to leave. Glasgow’s West End district was also recently listed by The Times as one of the top 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world . Whether you’re after baked vegan delicacies, charming second-hand bookshops, or an art-filled afternoon, this is the place for you.
If you want to pack in as much city action into a weekend break, save money with the Central Scotland Rover pass. For just £55 for three days, you can enjoy unlimited travel between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the surrounding areas. This includes as much hopping on and off the Glasgow subway as much as you like!
Scotland’s capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one simply not to be missed. Catch the eclectic Fringe Festival, or be dazzled by outstanding New Year celebrations in the historic city of Edinburgh. Cheap train tickets really can unlock some invaluable experiences.
If you’re lucky enough to work or study in Edinburgh, you can benefit from discounted rail fares through a weekly or monthly season ticket. Visitors to Edinburgh can save big by making the most of leisure tickets such as Kids for a Quid or a Friends Fare.
FAQs
Advance, Kids for a Quid, Group Train Tickets and Discounts, and Off-Peak fares all day long, are examples of cheap train tickets. Don’t forget our handy railcards and clubs too!
Explore our railcards, leisure and commuter ticket types for loads of cheap train ticket options all year round. Alternatively, keep an eye out online for any new promotions or trials, like our Off-Peak fares all day long trial.
Absolutely! Book up to 12 weeks in advance and save up to 60%* on train travel across Scotland.
*Discount compared to Anytime Day Single.
With so many great options for cheap train tickets, there may be different rules and restrictions. You can check the terms and conditions of each ticket online, or get full details when you find the right ticket.
Each ticket type carries it's own terms and conditions. Check the ticket type you are interested in to see whether you can cancel or change your cheap train ticket booking.
We don’t charge any additional booking fees for our cheap train tickets.
Receive a paper ticket when purchasing in person from a ticket office. If you buy cheap train tickets online, you can have these posted to you, or you can pick them up from a ticket vending machine at a station. If you buy your tickets via Smartcard, these tickets will be added to Smartcard electronically.
You can also download tickets on your mobile via mTickets when you use the ScotRail app.
With so many great options of cheap tickets available, there may be varying terms and conditions for each type. You can check the FAQs of each ticket online for all the information you need. Read our Terms and Conditions for more information about Conditions of Sale and our website Terms and Conditions.
*Discount compared to Anytime Day Single.