With Easter coming up, you may be thinking of making a getaway somewhere in the UK. There is a lot to do across the country, and a huge variety of places to visit if you want to have a few days away, or even a day trip. If this is something you want to do, then why not leave the car at home and go by train instead? This can be particularly good if you want to go somewhere that can take a bit of time to get there by car.
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Many Easter travel options can use rail travel to get to them, so there may be plenty of great deals on cheap train tickets to be had through our website. So let’s dive on in to see what there may be on offer in the UK! (Please note that this article only considers England, Wales, and Scotland - Northern Ireland is on a separate rail network to the rest of the UK). You may be lucky and get some great scenery en route, which is arguably an added bonus!
N.B. A number of these possibilities can give the opportunity for some rural walking. We know this can be a popular thing to do, but we do wish to mention that the weather can change at short notice, so please make sure to prepare for varying conditions and to also stay safe. We recommend reading the Countryside Code, which should provide a good starting point, and you may find some of the advice in the following article from Wild Trails Wales to be of use as well.
In addition to the above, each 'Book Now' button does have a station assigned as its destination point, but please do feel free to choose a station which is more suited to your preferences.
The TrainSplit app makes it easy to find cheaper alternative journeys through split ticketing.
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The TrainSplit app helps you find better fares by splitting your tickets. Available on iOS and Android, just search for TrainSplit in your app store and start saving today!
Cornwall
Famed for its beaches, rugged scenery, and its cuisine (you can't go wrong with a good Cornish pasty!), there is so much to see and do in Cornwall that's accessible by train; even moreso when you buy cheap train tickets from our website. The journey there starts off with a trip along the sea wall at Dawlish in Devon not long after leaving Exeter St Davids, and entering Cornwall itself is done via the famous Royal Albert Bridge; this bridge opened in 1859, and was designed by famous railway engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. There are a number of branch lines to take you to a variety of places - these include the Atlantic Coast Line to the seaside resort of Newquay, the Maritime Line from Truro to the port of Falmouth, and the St Ives Bay Line to the famous town of St Ives; St Ives in particular is known for its fishing history, and also for the number of artists - one of the more famous galleries there is the Tate St Ives, first opening in 1993, and undergoing a substantial expansion between 2015 and 2017. Truro is the county town of Cornwall (the second-smallest city in England in terms of population size), and is known for its cathedral, which was completed in 1910; it's one of the newer cathedrals in the UK. The cathedral is actually where the renowned Nine Lessons and Carols originated in 1880 thanks to Archbishop Edward White Benson, though it's arguably more well-known these days as Carols from King's, filmed in the chapel of King's College in Cambridge and broadcast on Christmas Eve. With so many different places to visit in this popular county, we're sure you'll be able to find many that take your fancy!
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Rural Wales
If you want to try and explore somewhere a little different, then why not consider heading into Wales by train? One of the more well-known routes is the North Wales Main Line, running from Crewe to Holyhead via Chester, Rhyl, and Llandudno Junction. At Llandudno Junction, you can change for the Conwy Valley Line to Blaenau Ffestiniog, which is the home of the Ffestiniog Railway; this is largely located within the well-known Snowdonia National Park, and runs down to Porthmadog Harbour. One other option is the Cambrian Line, running from Shrewsbury to Dovey Junction, where it splits in two - one branch runs down to Aberystwyth, and the other runs up to Pwllheli via Barmouth and Harlech. Another line of note is the Heart of Wales Line, running from Craven Arms to Llanelli, stopping at a number of places along the way; these include the spa town of Llandrindod Wells, and also the little-used Sugar Loaf, which is known for being close to a prominent knoll of the same name and also its station having a very short platform. These are just a few ideas of where you can go by train in Wales, and we very much hope that they provide a good starting point. using our website to purchase cheap train tickets can help you to get even more value out of your break.
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Scotland
The Highlands of Scotland can be explored by train on a number of routes, and you may want to start your time in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Heading north-west from Glasgow can take you up the West Highland Line, passing the famous Loch Lomond (in terms of stations, Balloch is best for the south of Loch Lomond, with Arrochar & Tarbet and Ardlui being situated towards the northern end) and also going via the famously remote station of Corrour (you can even spend the night here in the old signal box, which has been converted into accommodation), before winding its way to Fort William and eventually Mallaig, the route up to Mallaig includes travelling over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. Branching off the West Highland Line at Crianlarich will take you to the small coastal town of Oban. If you want to try somewhere else, then maybe the lines up to Aberdeen and Inverness may be of interest. From Inverness in particular, you can then head west along the Kyle of Lochalsh Line to the village of the same name, which is also an ideal access point for the Isle of Skye. Alternatively, you may want to head further north from Inverness along the Far North Line, towards Thurso and Wick. With the number of different stops along the way, these lines represent a great way of exploring different parts of Scotland, so please don't forget to purchase your cheap train tickets from our website!
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More Splits, More Savings! Find cheaper train tickets by splitting your fares with the TrainSplit app. Download now on iOS or Android - search for TrainSplit in your app store.
East Anglia
People may forget East Anglia as a place to visit because it's sometimes seen as not very easy to get to. Well, consider going by train, and you'll see just how surprisingly accessible it is by rail. Norwich, for example, has a direct service to Liverpool that runs via Manchester, Sheffield, and Nottingham; many other destinations in East Anglia are available with not many changes of train, which can make it a more attractive prospect to visit than one may initially think. Maybe heading to the coastal town of Cromer is up your street, with the town being known for the Cromer Crab? Or perhaps you could visit Great Yarmouth, known for its Pleasure Beach; this is home to the popular Roller Coaster, which opened in 1932, and remains one of the oldest rollercoasters in the UK. If religious architecture is more your thing, then perhaps Ely Cathedral will interest you. Of course, it would be remiss of us to discuss places to visit in East Anglia and not mention the university city of Cambridge; surprisingly, in spite of its historical importance, Cambridge was never granted city status until 1951! Given the scope of the area covered by East Anglia, you may be surprised at how easy it can be to find cheap train tickets for your journey.
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North Yorkshire
Yorkshire has been popular as a tourist destination for many years, with it being home to two national parks - the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors National Park. In the latter, you'll find the popular North York Moors Railway (NYMR), a heritage line from Pickering to Grosmont. At Grosmont, there is a main line connection to Whitby; in fact, there are occasionally some services directly from Pickering to the seaside town of Whitby run by the NYMR. Whitby itself has historically been known for its fishing industry, its now-ruined Abbey, and its swing bridge. It's also been featured in a number of literary works over the years, including - most notably - Bram Stoker's Dracula. If you want to travel a little further afield, then perhaps the Settle-Carlisle Railway will pique your interest. Running from Settle Junction (just south of the station of Settle itself) up to Carlisle, the line serves many rural communities as it heads through the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines; the line also uses a number of tunnels and viaducts, the most famous of which is the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, opening in 1875. The variety of places you can visit widens the scope for purchasing cheap train tickets from our website, enabling you to get even more value out of your trip.
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Kent
When people think of Kent, chances are people's first thoughts will be that it's in the London commuter belt, or that it's frequently used by people wishing to cross the English Channel to France and further afield (whether they do this by ferry or via the Channel Tunnel). However, there's a lot more to Kent than people may perhaps initially think, and so there are plenty of opportunities for purchasing cheap train tickets from us to facilitate journeys to more of these destinations. Dover may of course be known for its cross-Channel port, but its other attractions include the famous White Cliffs of Dover, as well as Dover Castle. Heading a bit further around the Kent coast takes you to the towns of Ramsgate and then Margate, the latter of which is also known for the amusement park Dreamland Margate. Just around the coast from Margate is Herne Bay, which has been used as a filming location for a number of TV shows & films, including appearances in the Netflix adaptation of Heartstopper. You may also want to consider the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RHDR), which first opened in 1927; there are a number of stations which can be used for accessing RHDR's northernmost station of Hythe, and further information on buses connecting them to Hythe can be found on Stagecoach's website HERE. If you want history, then the city of Canterbury is definitely worth considering. The popular university city is home to Canterbury Cathedral, which is a Grade I listed building and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's also Canterbury Castle, the city walls of Canterbury, and a number of other interesting buildings as well.
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💡 Tip: If you’re planning multiple trips, don’t forget to buy a digital Railcard directly through TrainSplit. It can pay for itself in just 1-2 journeys!
We very much hope that we've been able to convince you to consider exploring England, Wales, and Scotland for one of many reasons over the Easter period. If we have, then fantastic! If you have any questions about cheap train tickets for getting to & from any of these, please email us on customer.support@trainsplit.com, and we'll be more than happy to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning an Easter trip by train? Here are answers to the most common questions about finding cheap train tickets, using split ticketing, and making the most of your adventures across the UK.
How can I find cheap train tickets in the UK?
You can save money by booking in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and using TrainSplit to find split ticket options, often involving cheap Advance tickets. It’s a great way to cut the cost of travelling across the UK by train.
Can I use split ticketing for journeys by train?
Absolutely. Many UK train routes allow for split ticketing, meaning you can book multiple tickets for different parts of a journey and save compared to a single through fare. TrainSplit does this automatically and shows you the savings upfront.
When should I book train tickets for the best prices?
It’s best to book well in advance, as fares rise closer to the travel date. Booking 8–12 weeks ahead often gets you the lowest fares. Split ticketing can also help you save even when booking later.
Are there discounts for frequent train travellers in the UK?
Yes. A digital Railcard offers 1/3 off most fares and works alongside split ticketing for even bigger savings. It’s ideal for frequent travellers or those planning several day trips and weekend breaks.
Is it cheaper to book train tickets online or at the station?
Booking online in advance is almost always cheaper. Using TrainSplit lets you compare fares, find split ticket combinations, and avoid paying full-price walk-up fares at the station.
Can I reach Easter travel options by train?
Yes. Many options such as the city breaks are within a short distance of train stations, making travel even easier.
Can I still travel if my original train is delayed or cancelled?
Yes. Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, you’re entitled to take the next reasonable service to complete your journey if your train is delayed or cancelled.
When is the best time to travel for Easter?
Trains are quieter outside peak hours. Travel early and check return times in advance. Mid-morning departures often offer the best balance between comfort and cost.
How can I reduce my carbon footprint when travelling?
Travelling by train produces far fewer CO₂ emissions than driving. Visiting places by rail helps reduce congestion and environmental impact while supporting sustainable tourism across the UK.
Do I need to print my train tickets?
No. Most tickets are available as e-tickets you can store on your phone. You can also collect them from a station machine with your booking reference if you prefer a paper copy.
Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.
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