Monthly Train Pass Cost 2026
How much is a monthly train pass?
A monthly train pass (a monthly season ticket) on popular UK commuter routes ranges from about £227 (Leeds-York) to £624 (London-Cambridge) in 2026. London-Brighton is approximately £499.60 and London-Reading approximately £562.20. A monthly season is priced at 3.84 weeks of travel and covers unlimited journeys on its route for a calendar month. Every regulated season fare is frozen until March 2027.
Work out your exact route with the season ticket calculator, or compare the annual train ticket cost.
Monthly Train Pass Cost by Route (2026)
| Route | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds-York | £59.10 | £227.00 | £2,364 |
| Manchester-Liverpool | £71.00 | £272.70 | £2,840 |
| Manchester-Leeds | £82.70 | £317.60 | £3,308 |
| London-Woking | £108.50 | £416.70 | £4,340 |
| London-Guildford | £120.10 | £461.20 | £4,804 |
| London-Brighton | £130.10 | £499.60 | £5,204 |
| London-Reading | £146.50 | £562.20 | £5,856 |
| London-Cambridge | £162.40 | £623.70 | £6,496 |
Standard class, rail only (no Travelcard). Verified July 2026 against published National Rail / Trainline season fares. Monthly season = 3.84 x weekly season.
Is a monthly pass cheaper than weekly tickets?
Yes, if you commute most of the month. A monthly season is priced at 3.84 weeks of travel, while a calendar month spans about 4.35 weeks, so a monthly pass beats buying a weekly season every week. On London-Brighton that is £499.60 a month versus roughly £566 in weekly seasons. The catch: if you only commute two or three days a week, a flexi season (8 days of travel in 28) is usually cheaper than a monthly pass.
Monthly vs Annual: When Each Wins
| Your situation | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Commute year-round, 4-5 days | Annual season | Saves ~13% vs twelve monthly passes |
| Cannot fund the upfront cost | Monthly pass | Or an employer season ticket loan |
| Commute under 11 months a year | Monthly pass | Only pay for the months you travel |
| Hybrid, 2-3 days a week | Flexi season | 8 days of travel in 28 beats a monthly |
Twelve monthly passes total roughly 46 weeks of travel; an annual season is priced at 40 weeks, so the annual saves about 13% if you commute year-round.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a monthly train pass?
A monthly train pass (a monthly season ticket) ranges from about £227 (Leeds-York) to £624 (London-Cambridge) on popular UK commuter routes in 2026. London-Brighton is approximately £499.60 a month and London-Reading approximately £562.20. A monthly season is priced at 3.84 weeks of travel and gives unlimited journeys on its route for a calendar month. All regulated season fares are frozen until March 2027.
Is a monthly train pass cheaper than buying weekly tickets?
Yes, if you commute most of the month. A monthly season is priced at 3.84 weeks, while a calendar month spans about 4.35 weeks, so a monthly pass is cheaper than buying a weekly season every week. On London-Brighton a monthly pass is £499.60 versus about £566 if you bought the £130.10 weekly season across a full month.
Is a monthly or annual season ticket cheaper?
Per month of travel, the annual is cheaper. Twelve consecutive monthly seasons add up to roughly 46 weeks of travel, while an annual is priced at 40 weeks, so the annual saves about 13% if you commute year-round. A monthly pass wins if you cannot commit to the annual upfront cost, or you commute for fewer than about 10-11 months a year.
Can I buy a monthly train pass for any period, or just calendar months?
A monthly season ticket runs for one calendar month from the start date you choose, not just the 1st to the end of the month. You can start it on any day. For part-time or hybrid commuting, a flexi season (8 days of travel in 28) is often cheaper than a monthly pass.
Will monthly train pass prices rise in 2026?
No. England's regulated rail fares, which include Standard class season tickets, are frozen until March 2027 - the first freeze in 30 years. If fares had risen at the previously expected 5.8% (July RPI plus 1%), a £499.60 London-Brighton monthly would have cost about £528.
Prefer to pay once a year?
See the full annual train ticket cost breakdown, or per-route season breakeven tables on the Season Tickets page.