January has a habit of overstaying its welcome. The fairy lights are down, the biscuits are gone, and the weather feels personally offended by your presence. It’s the sort of month where even the dog gives up and goes back to bed. You potter about the house, eye your bank balance with suspicion, and wonder how a month with so few plans can feel so relentless.
Which is precisely why escaping it does wonders. A quick trip by train is low effort, low admin, and just enough of a palette cleanser to remind you there is, in fact, life beyond your postcode.
Why a train trip is the ideal January antidote
There’s something reassuringly simple about rail travel when your brain is still in post-festive fog. No traffic. No airport shuffle. No weighing your suitcase in the hallway and praying. Just pick a place, let TrainSplit dig out the cheapest fare, and off you go. You can sit, stare vacantly out of the window, and pretend you’re in one of those moody BBC dramas where nothing bad ever happens before 9pm.
Where to go when you’ve had enough of your own walls
Skip the obvious city-break suggestions. Here are some underrated spots that deliver charm without the crowds.
Hexham, Northumberland
Image source: Canva Pro
A handsome market town with proper butchers, bookshops, and easy access to Hadrian’s Wall. You get fresh, clean air and countryside that actually encourages deep breaths.
Nearest station: Hexham. Direct trains run from Newcastle and Carlisle, making it a very easy hop from the East Coast Main Line.
Bewdley, Worcestershire
Image source: Canva Pro
Nestled on the River Severn with Georgian houses, riverside walks, and a town centre that feels like it opted out of modern stress years ago.
Nearest station: Kidderminster, then a short bus or taxi into Bewdley
Llangollen, Denbighshire
Image source: Canva Pro
A Welsh gem tucked between hills and water. You get steam trains, a historic bridge, and that dramatic valley landscape you usually only see on postcards your nan sends.
Nearest train station: Ruabon, then a short bus ride to Llangollen
Ely, Cambridgeshire
Image source: Canva Pro
A cathedral that looks like it teleported in from a different century and a town centre that hasn’t yet realised January is supposed to be miserable.
Nearest train station: Ely
St Ives, Cambridgeshire (yes, the other St Ives)
Image source: Canva Pro
Medieval bridge, independent cafés, quiet winter lakeside walks. A very low-effort, high-comfort kind of escape.
Nearest train station: Huntingdon, then a short bus ride into St Ives
All reachable by rail. All pleasantly unbothered by trends. And with TrainSplit’s split ticketing, surprisingly affordable.
Be impulsive (you might enjoy it)
The best January decisions are the ones you don’t think about too hard. Pack light, travel off peak, bring snacks you don’t have to justify, and let the TrainSplit app handle the admin. Tickets on your phone, cheaper fares in your pocket, and no need to pretend you read the terms and conditions.
Travel smart without trying
TrainSplit checks every legal fare combination for your route and surfaces the cheapest option automatically. Same train. Same journey. Different price. Sometimes dramatically different. It’s the sort of clever trick that funds that extra pint when you get there.
If January feels like it’s dragging you down, don’t fight it. Outrun it. Take a train somewhere that isn’t home, breathe air that isn’t yours, and remember you’re allowed a small adventure even when it’s cold enough to freeze enthusiasm solid.
Plan your escape with TrainSplit
Smarter tickets, cheaper fares, and a perfectly good excuse to leave the house this weekend.
Be spontaneous (for once)
Sometimes the best weekends are the unplanned ones. TrainSplit lets you book fast and find the lowest prices without having to scroll through endless options. Add your Railcard, travel off peak, and pocket the difference.
Pack light. Take snacks. Download the TrainSplit app and keep your tickets ready on your phone. Before you know it, you’ll be sipping something warm somewhere that isn’t your sofa.
Travel smarter, not harder
TrainSplit automatically finds the cheapest legal combination of tickets for your route. You’ll travel on the same train, just with a smarter fare. It’s a small change that makes a big difference, and might even fund that extra round at the pub when you arrive.
So if January’s feeling long, shorten it with a quick trip. Book it, board it, and get yourself out there.
Plan your escape with TrainSplit
Smarter tickets, cheaper fares, and a good reason to leave the house this weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can TrainSplit help me save money on weekend trips?
TrainSplit finds cheaper combinations of valid tickets for the same journey. You travel on the same train, but pay less by splitting your fare in the right places. It all happens automatically.
Can I travel on the same train with split tickets?
Yes, as long as the train stops at the stations shown on your tickets. You don’t need to get off, and TrainSplit only shows journeys that follow the correct rules.
Is January a good time for a weekend trip?
Yes. January is quieter, fares are often cheaper, and you’ll find space to relax. It’s a great time to travel without crowds or long queues.
Can I use my Railcard with TrainSplit?
Yes, you can add any valid Railcard when you book. The discount applies automatically and will be reflected in the total fare shown.
How late can I book a trip with TrainSplit?
You can book right up to departure on most routes. E-tickets are sent instantly to your phone, so you can buy and board within minutes.
Do I need to reserve a seat?
Seat reservations are optional but available on many routes. TrainSplit adds them automatically where possible, or you can choose to skip them for more flexibility.
Which destinations are easy weekend options?
Popular picks include Bath, York, Bristol, Whitby, and Edinburgh. All are easy to reach and ideal for short breaks without long travel times.
Does the TrainSplit app include my e-tickets?
Yes, the TrainSplit app stores and displays e-tickets directly on your phone. You can scan them at the gate and see live updates for your journey.
Are split tickets always cheaper?
Not always, but often. TrainSplit checks both regular and split fares in real time and shows whichever is cheapest at the moment you book.