GWR Unveils Expanded ‘Long Weekender’ Rail Ticket with Over 5,500 New Route Options

Great Western Railway (GWR) has announced an expansion of its "Long Weekender" rail ticket, offering greater flexibility and thousands of new route options for weekend travelers.

The "Long Weekender" ticket, launched earlier this year, initially allowed travelers to journey on Fridays or Saturdays and return on Mondays, but was limited to specific routes. With the latest expansion, GWR has increased the available routes to over 5,500, including new options to travel towards London.

This extension offers passengers the freedom to depart at any time on Friday or Saturday, even during peak periods, and return anytime on Monday. This allows for more than 50% savings compared to the usual peak Anytime return fares.

GWR Sales & Marketing Director Amanda Burns highlighted the changes in customer travel patterns that prompted this expansion. "The shift in travel behavior, with fewer people commuting on Mondays, has allowed us to enhance our leisure travel offers. The Long Weekender ticket provides significant savings and flexibility for anyone looking to enjoy a weekend away, whether for leisure or to visit friends and family," Burns stated.

The extension comes as Sunday has become an increasingly popular travel day, leading to busier train services, while Monday sees lower commuter traffic compared to pre-pandemic levels. This change in travel habits has made it feasible for GWR to offer discounted Monday returns, benefiting those who need a leisurely start to the week.