A CUT-price offer from GNER increased passenger numbers to some northern cities, the train company said.
GNER reduced the price of its standard class return fares between January and the start of April.
More than 145,000 journeys were made using the tickets with Leeds, York and Newcastle among the most popular destinations for visitors from the South-East.
Seventy per cent of all bookings were made through GNER's call centre in Newcastle.
Under the three-month offer to 31 March, standard class return fares dropped to as little as £19 for travel between London and York or Leeds.
Tickets between London and Newcastle or Edinburgh were reduced to £25 return.
Sabine Sharman, GNER's leisure marketing manager, said: "We are delighted by the popularity of the offer and particularly pleased to be able to help stimulate travel to city-break destinations outside of London in the quieter travel months between New Year and Easter."
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