ScotRail Abolish Peak Fares

Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced that ScotRail’s peak fares would be abolished, this change will be introduced on Monday, 1 September 2025. 

The change is intended to make rail fares simpler, more flexible and provide better value for money in the hope this will encourage more people to leave the car at home and travel by rail instead.

Removing peak fares will bring significant savings for ScotRail customers across the country, with some journeys set to reduced by almost 50 per cent. From 1 September, customers will pay the same fare no matter what time of day, or day of the week they travel.


Examples of some of the massive savings to be made include:

Journey                                 Return fare from        Saving        %Saving

                                               1 September   

Edinburgh – Glasgow               £16.80                        £15.80        48%  

Inverkeithing – Edinburgh        £7.40                          £5.20          41%  

Perth – Dundee                         £11.20                        £5.10          31%  

Glasgow – Stirling                    £10.80                        £7.40          40%  

Inverurie – Aberdeen                £10.10                        £2.50          20%  

Inverness – Elgin                      £16.30                        £8.50          34%  

 

ScotRail say, "There are some routes where no off-peak fare exists because the same fare is already available at any time of the day, and as such, customers will not see any change in those areas.  

Customers can check the ScotRail website, or the app, to see Off-Peak fares for their route, and get set for savings when peak fares are removed. The website and app will be updated by Friday, 22 August, when the peak fare prices will be removed for any tickets for travel from 1 September onwards.   

As part of the move to simpler and more flexible fares, a number of other tickets will also be updated:  

Season Tickets will remain at their current pricing until 27 September, offering exceptional value. For regular travellers, this represents a saving of at least 40 per cent compared to purchasing five Anytime Day Return tickets at pre-1 September prices. This discount was part of a 12-month offer launched in September 2024.  

Flexipass tickets will have adjusted pricing from 1 September to ensure they continue to offer a saving compared to buying multiple Anytime Single or Return tickets, while still providing flexibility for part-time or hybrid commuters.  

Super Off-Peak Day Return tickets will be withdrawn, as the removal of peak fares means customers now benefit from great value fares all day, every day.  

Railcards, concessions, and enhanced discounts will continue to be available, with most remaining valid for travel after 9.15am, in line with existing conditions.  

More details on individual products or schemes can be found on the ScotRail website or app from Friday, 22 August.  

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions please get in touch with ScotRail’s External Relations Manager, Olivia Carson, on olivia.carson@scotrail.co.uk."