Northern to offer families savings of up to 90 per cent on trips to the seaside this summer

Rail operator Northern is making it cheaper and easier for families to travel by train with an expanded trial of its family ticketing initiative.

Originally launched in October 2023 as part of a half-term trial on selected routes, the operator's 'Northern Family' offer has been refreshed for 2025 and rolled out more across a wider range of routes. 

The new range of family tickets aims to increase accessibility, provide greater flexibility, and offer an alternative to cars for families heading to popular destinations such as Blackpool, the Cumbrian coast, Manchester City Centre and Manchester Airport. 

The 'Northern Family' ticket is valid for up to two adults and four children under the age of 15. Tickets can be purchased through the Northern app and website, at ticket offices, or at ticket vending machines. 

It offers savings of up to 90 per cent when compared to the cost of buying an anytime 'walk-up' single ticket. Some examples of the savings on offer include: 

• Manchester Oxford Road to Blackpool North: walk-up price £77.40; family ticket price £12.20 - a saving of £65.20 

• Preston to Manchester Airport: walk-up price £82.20; family ticket price £10.80 - a saving of £71.40 

• Bolton to Blackpool North: walk-up price £56.40; family ticket price £10.80 - a saving of £45.60 

Tickets can be purchased from 12 weeks before travel, up to 15 minutes before departure, subject to availability - matching the flexibility of Northern’s Advance Purchase fares. 

Alex Hornby, commercial and customer director for Northern, said: "We know that cost and convenience are major factors when families plan days out or trips away, and these changes are all about making rail travel a more attractive and accessible choice. 

"By making our range of tickets not only cheaper but easier to understand, we are helping more families than ever make the switch from car to train." 

The full list of destinations and prices where Northern Family tickets are available can be found on the Northern website. 

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.