Are train and bus fares going up?
Train fares were 0.1% higher than a year earlier in August 2026, and bus and coach fares 0.5% higher. On the ONS index, where 2015 = 100, train fares stand at 152.3 and bus fares at 194.5.
On a year earlier, August 2026.
On a year earlier, August 2026.
2015 = 100, August 2026.
Fares over time
What’s this?
How much higher passenger train fares are than a year earlier.
What it cannot tell you: It is an average across the country; what you pay depends on where you live, what you buy and when.
What’s this?
How much higher bus and coach fares are than a year earlier.
What it cannot tell you: It is an average across the country; what you pay depends on where you live, what you buy and when.
What’s this?
The level of passenger train fares are than a year earlier.
What it cannot tell you: It is an average across the country; what you pay depends on where you live, what you buy and when.
What’s this?
The level of bus and coach fares are than a year earlier.
What it cannot tell you: It is an average across the country; what you pay depends on where you live, what you buy and when.
Month by month
Change on the same month a year earlier.
| Period | Train fares, yearly change | Bus and coach fares, yearly change |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 0.1% | 0.5% |
| July 2026 | 2.7% | −0.9% |
| June 2026 | 0.5% | −0.2% |
| May 2026 | 1.2% | 3.7% |
| April 2026 | −0.2% | 0.8% |
| March 2026 | 2.0% | 1.8% |
| February 2026 | 5.7% | 1.1% |
| January 2026 | 4.7% | 0.9% |
| December 2025 | 4.8% | 5.8% |
| November 2025 | 6.6% | 6.7% |
| October 2025 | 4.3% | 6.6% |
| September 2025 | 5.9% | 6.7% |
Questions people ask
How much have train fares risen?
The ONS train fares index was 152.3 in August 2026, where 100 is the 2015 level. Regulated fares in England and Wales are capped each year and the cap is usually set by last year's inflation.
Why do the monthly figures jump?
Regulated rail fares in England change once a year, usually in March, so the monthly rate can move sharply in that month and then stay flat.
What does “train fares, yearly change” measure?
How much higher passenger train fares are than a year earlier. It was 0.1% (% a year) in August 2026, down 0.1 points on January 2021. The highest we have is 9.8% (July 2022) and the lowest −2.0% (June 2016).
What does “bus and coach fares, yearly change” measure?
How much higher bus and coach fares are than a year earlier. It was 0.5% (% a year) in August 2026, down 20.6 points on January 2021. The highest we have is 21.1% (January 2021) and the lowest −6.9% (August 2021).
What does “train fares, index (2015 = 100)” measure?
The level of passenger train fares are than a year earlier. It was 152.3 (index, 2015 = 100) in August 2026, up 34% on January 2021. The highest we have is 154.3 (July 2026) and the lowest 97.8 (June 2016).
What does “bus and coach fares, index (2015 = 100)” measure?
The level of bus and coach fares are than a year earlier. It was 194.5 (index, 2015 = 100) in August 2026, up 27% on January 2021. The highest we have is 194.5 (August 2026) and the lowest 96.5 (January 2015).
Sources: ONS Consumer Prices Index. Updated every night. Each chart has a CSV and a Share button.
See also: Inflation · Road deaths