Northern Launches £1.50 Tickets on Iconic Settle to Carlisle Railway

Northern is launching a major ticket sale offering thousands of journeys along the famous Settle to Carlisle railway for just £1.50 as celebrations continue to mark the route’s 150th anniversary.

The operator has released 15,000 discounted tickets for single journeys between Leeds, Settle and Carlisle, giving passengers the chance to travel one of Britain’s most celebrated railways at a heavily reduced price. Tickets can be used between 22 May and 17 July, although journeys must be booked at least seven days in advance.

Passengers will be able to purchase the fares online, through station ticket offices and from ticket vending machines. The promotion is expected to attract strong demand due to the line’s international reputation for spectacular scenery.

Running through the Yorkshire Dales, Pennines and Cumbria’s Eden Valley, the route is particularly popular with tourists, walkers and rail enthusiasts. One of its best-known landmarks is the 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct, which remains one of the defining engineering features of the line.

Earlier this year, the railway was recognised by Lonely Planet as one of Europe’s top ten scenic rail journeys. Passenger numbers have also continued to grow, with Northern recording 995,000 journeys on the line during 2025 — the highest annual total since the pandemic.

A series of anniversary events are planned throughout the year to celebrate the route’s history. Northern has unveiled a specially named train, “Settle & Carlisle 150”, at Leeds railway station, while the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company is organising commemorative activities including a chartered steam train running between Carlisle and York on 25 May.

Alex Hornby, Northern’s Commercial and Customer Director, said:

“The Settle to Carlisle Railway is famous around the world for its spectacular scenery and community engagement. We want as many people as possible to share in the experience of this wonderful line, which is why we’re offering everyone the chance to travel for just £1.50 during the 150th anniversary year. They can enjoy a journey through some of the country’s most stunning landscapes before they get off to explore the breathtaking countryside and delightful towns and villages along the way. Tickets are going fast so we’re encouraging customers to book now to avoid missing out.”

Pete Myers, chair of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, said:

“As well as providing a connection between communities, the Settle to Carlisle line is a route many people take for the pure pleasure of travelling through the Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley. We are delighted that even more people will be able to experience this journey thanks to Northern's £1.50 tickets. For the communities along the line, this is a great opportunity to showcase the region, and what it has to offer for visitors in a sustainable way.”

The Settle to Carlisle section of the railway was completed in 1875 following a huge engineering effort involving around 6,000 workers. Stretching for 72 miles, the route includes 14 tunnels and more than 20 viaducts. Passenger services officially began in May 1876 after the line had initially been used for freight traffic.

The railway famously faced closure during the 1980s after concerns over the cost of repairing Ribblehead Viaduct. However, widespread public opposition and campaigns by rail groups helped save the route, with then Transport Minister Michael Portillo intervening to preserve passenger services.

Image: Northern