Northern suggests that travelling by train could save money on coach costs, meaning school budgets can stretch further for even more educational visits. A flash sale has also been launched until 31st December 2024 to tempt teachers into giving it a try.
Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “Coaches are synonymous with school trips – but times change and there are significant savings that teachers can make if they will give the railway a go.
“Of course, there will be some visitor attractions that, because of their location, require a private transfer – but for those in town and city centres, rail would be a much cheaper option.
“Taking the train can also be an additional learning experience for students who don’t use public transport to get to school.”
Just some of the routes on offer to schools include Knutsford to Chester, offering the chance to explore the city’s Roman links, Preston to Blackpool, for those in the north west looking for a seaside visit, or Kendal to Windermere for pupils discovering the Lake District.
From the the Cumbrian coast to the hearty delights of the Peak District, Northern’s network is packed with areas of outstanding beauty, heritage sites and places to explore.
Key benefits for teachers looking to book their travel with Northern include savings of up to 75%, a dedicated team to take care of the booking, plus a secure online enquiry and booking form.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the north of England.