The flexible weekend ticket has been extended by Great Western Railway (GWR). The ticket gives customers the ability to travel on Fridays or Saturdays and return on the Monday.

GWR launched the Long Weekender ticket in February 2024, to make travel more accessible for those wanting to venture out on the weekends.

Sunday travel has become more popular since the pandemic, so the ticket eases travel pressures on the operator.

Previously, the ticket was limited to certain routes travelling away from London.

This has now been extended across the network, with over 5,500 different route combinations, including travelling towards London.

The ticket allows for travel during peak times, offering more than 50% off the cost of a peak Anytime return.

For example, a weekender price between Paddington and Hereford is £109 saving 61% and a journey between Paddington and Gloucester costs £89 saving 66%.

“Changing customer patterns have provided a clear opportunity for us to expand our leisure offers, particularly with less people travelling on Mondays.

“This ticket offers great savings if you’re heading for rest in the West or a show in London; staying at a hotel or B&B; or visiting friends and family. And if you need to catch up on those work emails on the way home on Monday, you can do so from the comfort of the train.”

GWR Sales & Marketing Director Amanda Burns