Not just for the young or the old – there’s a railcard for everyone! Railcards can discount train fares by 1/3, which can be a significant saving! On this page, we’ll explain what the most common railcards are, who they might be useful for and what savings you could make on your travel.
In general, railcards with more eligibility restrictions, such as age or status, will have fewer restrictions on usage – such as time of day or location. If you are eligible for a railcard that has restrictions, it is likely best to get that railcard. Otherwise, the Network Railcard is one of the best railcards to get given the lack of eligibility requirements, broad area and group benefits.
Cost, Savings & Availability
Although railcards can discount fares by 1/3, they do need to be ‘bought’ before travel and will last for a year or longer. Most railcards cost £30 per year, with some offering a discounted 3 year rate. This does mean that you will generally need to make more than £90 worth of train travel in a year to make any savings however this could be done with as little as 4 off-peak return journeys to London!
If you shop at Tesco and use a Tesco Clubcard, some railcards can be redeemed for vouchers – £10 worth of vouchers will get you a 1 year railcard. This can be a great way to get a railcard for “free” if you don’t spend the vouchers on other things! Note that not all railcards can be bought using vouchers – after checking our guide to railcards below, click here to see what railcards can be bought using Tesco Clubcard vouchers.
If you hold an Annual Gold Card (free with an Annual Season Ticket), then you can buy almost any railcard for any person you nominate (including yourself) for just £10. As the Annual Gold Card is similar to a Network Railcard, this can be a great way to get a railcard for someone else at a discounted rate! More details about what railcards can be bought for £10, and how to do so, can be found on the Annual Gold Cards benefits page.
Most railcards can either be purchased at a station, online and posted to you or as a digital version on your phone. There are some exceptions to this however, notably with the 26-30 railcard which is phone-only. You must carry your railcard with you when making a journey with a railcard discounted ticket, and show it when asked to by a member of staff. If you can’t show your railcard, your ticket is invalid and you will need to purchase a new one at the full rate!
If purchasing online, you will often be presented a with a ‘cashback’ offer at the end of your purchase. Be very careful if you decide to sign up to this, as it is an ongoing subscription that you may not want. There is no obligation to sign up with this offer – you do not need to accept it in order to finish purchasing your railcard.
Types of Railcard
On to the interesting bit! Many railcards have eligibility requirements in order to by them or have restrictions on their usage. Generally speaking, railcards that have stricter eligibility requirements do have greater benefits and fewer usage restrictions. Don’t worry if you don’t meet any eligibility requirements though – some railcards have no elegibility requirements and these can still result in a significant saving on fares!
Network Railcard
Good for: Off-peak travel in London and the South East.
Eligibility requirements: None!
Restrictions: Time & location.
Cost: £30 per year.
The Network Railcard is perhaps one of the best railcards you can get if you don’t qualify for any other. It gives you a 1/3 off any standard-class travel within London and the South East – including all of Kent, Sussex, London and as far afield as Exeter, Worcester, Bedford and Cambridge! What’s more is that a single railcard holder can also use it for up to 3 adults travelling with them, and up to 60% off for up to 4 children travelling with the railcard holder. In addition, it can be used on tickets that include a Zone 1-6 travelcard – meaning they cost just £2.90 extra compared to a train-only return ticket to London, less than two pay as you go tube fares in Zone 1!
Although anyone is eligible to buy one, it does come with some usage restrictions. The full details are here, but the main points are;
- Between Monday to Friday, except public holidays, it cannot be used to travel before 10:00 AM and a minimum fare of £13 applies after this – so if your ticket costs £13.20 normally, it will only be discounted to £13 Monday to Friday or £8.50 on weekends and public holidays. For children, the minimum fare is £1 and for travelcard inclusive fares it is £20.30.
- Can’t be used on Advance (fixed train) fares – flexible Anytime and Off-Peak fares only.
Although these restrictions may make it seem like the railcard isn’t worth it, all of the fares in our area to London are above the minimum and so will be eligible for the discount. Many areas in and around Kent and Sussex will also qualify for the minimum fare and so attract a discount, even if it’s not a full 1/3 off!
In addition, for commuters although it doesn’t apply before 10:00 AM Monday to Friday, you can buy an undiscounted peak single in the morning, and then a discounted off-peak single in the evening. For example, an anytime day return from Tonbridge to London will normally cost £37.10, but an anytime day single and a discounted off-peak single using a railcard will cost you a total of £33.20 instead. Only a saving of £3.90, but it adds up!
Although the railcard can be used to get 60% off child tickets, for journeys entirely on Southeastern it will likely be cheaper to use Southeastern’s Kids for a Quid offer – where children can travel with an adult for just £1 even if the adult uses a discounted fare!
Family & Friends Railcard
Good for: Off-peak London and South East travel with children, and anytime long distance group travel with children.
Eligibility requirements: None!
Restrictions: Time, location and travellers.
Cost: £30 per year, £70 for 3 years.
The Family & Friends Railcard is similar to the Network Railcard in some respects, but is targeted towards groups of people travelling with children. It gives you 1/3 off most fares, including Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance (fixed train) fares including travelcards. Up to two adults can be named on the railcard, and they do not have to travel together or be related. Up to 4 adults and 4 children aged 5-15 can travel together in total with one of the named holders, with adults getting a 1/3 off and children 60% off.
Some restrictions do apply, which make this railcard less suitable for commuting and more towards leisure travel. The full details are here and here, but the main points are;
- At least one of the named adult holders of the railcard must be travelling with at least one child.
- For travel entirely within the Network Railcard area, journeys cannot be started within the morning peak except on Bank Holidays (Weekends are always off-peak). Journeys can start within this area during the morning peak if they end outside of it (e.g. a journey from Tonbridge to Bristol).
Although the railcard can be used to get 60% off child tickets, for journeys entirely on Southeastern it will likely be cheaper to use Southeastern’s Kids for a Quid offer – where children can travel with an adult for just £1 even if the adult uses a discounted fare!
Two Together Railcard
Good for: Off-peak travel anywhere for two named adults.
Eligibility requirements: None!
Restrictions: Time and travellers.
Cost: £30 per year.
The Two Together Railcard allows two named adults to get 1/3 off almost any type ticket in the country, including advance (fixed train) fares and first-class fares. The two adults do not need to be related, but they must travel together for the railcard (and thus the ticket) to be valid. Full details about restrictions are available here, but the main restriction is that it can only be used for travel after 09:30 AM Monday to Friday – no time restrictions apply on Weekends or Bank Holidays.
If travelling longer distances, the railcard can easily pay for itself with a single journey – as the £30 annual cost works out at £15 per person. Although the 09:30 AM weekday usage restriction makes it less useful for most commuters, if you commute off-peak with a friend or colleague on a regular basis then a Two Together railcard can unlock some great savings!
Disabled Persons Railcard
Good for: Anytime, anywhere travel for anyone who has a disability.
Eligibility requirements: In receipt of PIP, some DLA rates, or some other impairments.
Restrictions: None!
Cost: £20 per year, £54 for 3 years.
The Disabled Person’s Railcard has the least usage restrictions out of any railcard and is also one of the cheapest. It can be used on any type of ticket, on any train operator, at any time of day and gives 1/3 off the fare with no minimums. In addition, an any adult companion can travel with the railcard holder and get the same discount.
However, the railcard also has stringent eligibility requirements. Although receipt of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at some rates, or any rate of Personal Independence Payments (PIP), will make you eligible a number of other conditions will also make you eligible – such as a visual impairment, being registered as deaf or hard of hearing, epilepsy and more. Full details on eligibility requirements, including what proof will need to be supplied, can be found here. This can understandably feel daunting, however many support and advocacy organisations will be able to assist with applying for this railcard.
Given the lack of restrictions on usage, it is the one of the best railcards to get for work or leisure purposes if you qualify. It can also be loaded on to an Oyster card at any TfL station to give you 1/3 off pay as you go travel within London, but it is generally cheaper to buy a travelcard as part of your train ticket to London.
Senior Railcard
Good for: Off-peak London and South East travel, and anytime long distance travel.
Eligibility requirements: Aged 60 or over.
Restrictions: Time and location.
Cost: £30 per year, £70 for 3 years.
The Senior Railcard gives discounts of 1/3 off almost any type of ticket on any train operator – including Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance (fixed train) tickets. However, it does come with one restriction which makes it less suitable for commuter usage. For travel entirely within the Network Railcard area, journeys cannot be started within the morning peak except on Bank Holidays (Weekends are always off-peak). Journeys can start within this area during the morning peak if they end outside of it (e.g. a journey from Tonbridge to Bristol).
Despite this, if you are 60 or over this can be one of the best railcards to get – unlike the Network Railcard, it can be used country-wide on any kind of fare, and the time restrictions ease earlier (valid on the first off-peak train, which tends to be before the Network Railcard becomes valid at 10:00 AM!).
You’ll need to prove your age when buying this railcard – accepted proof includes your Birth Certificate, UK Driving Licence, Passport or National Identity Card. You can buy this railcard up to 2 weeks before your 60th birthday, but the start date will only be from the day of your 60th birthday itself.
It can also be loaded on to an Oyster card at any TfL station to give you 1/3 off pay as you go travel within London, but it is generally cheaper to buy a travelcard as part of your train ticket to London.
16-17 Saver
Good for: Anytime travel anywhere in the country for those aged 16 or 17.
Eligibility requirements: Aged 16 or 17.
Restrictions: None!
Cost: £30 per year.
Child fares, which are 50% of an adult fare, are only available to those aged 5 to 15. This means that anyone aged 16 or above travelling to school or college can end up paying hefty adult fares despite still being in education. Equally, anyone travelling to work aged 16 or 17 would need to pay the full-rate adult fare despite the very low minimum wage or apprenticeship wages paid to people of this age.
The 16-17 Saver essentially restores child-fare pricing for those aged 16 or 17. It is only valid for standard class fares, but these can be Anytime, Off-Peak or Advance (fixed train) fares at any time of day, to or from any station, with no minimum charge – no matter if you’re going to school, college, work or out with friends. Unusually for a railcard, it can also be used to get a discount off Weekly, Monthly or Annual Season tickets – handy for reducing school or work travel costs further. In many cases this has replaced the special scholar/academic tickets.
Unlike the 16-25 and 26-30 Railcards, it will expire after 1 year or on your 18th birthday – whichever comes first. So you can’t keep the benefits for longer by cheekily renewing it before you turn 18th! Despite this, if you’re aged 16 to 17 this is the best railcard you can get due to the steep discount rates and lack of restrictions.
16-25 Railcard
Good for: Anytime travel anywhere in the country for those aged 18 to 25 or mature students.
Eligibility requirements: Aged 16 to 25, or a mature student.
Restrictions: £12 minimum fare applies on some tickets during the morning peak September to June.
Cost: £30 per year, £70 for 3 years.
If you’re aged 16 or 17, stop reading this section and take a look at the 16-17 Saver – it will give you a better discount! Otherwise, the 16-25 Railcard gives 1/3 off most standard class tickets anywhere in the country, including Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance (fixed train) fares. It also gives 1/3 off first class Advance (fixed train) fares.
A £12 minimum fare does apply before 10:00 AM Monday to Friday, but there are some exceptions;
- Advance (fixed train) fares have no restrictions.
- No restrictions apply to any fares during July and August.
Even with the £12 minimum fare however, the 16-25 Railcard is still a good fit for young commuters as fares to London are in excess of £12. It can also be loaded on to an Oyster card at any TfL station to give you 1/3 off pay as you go travel within London, but it is generally cheaper to buy a travelcard as part of your train ticket to London.
Although you can only buy this railcard when you are aged between 16 and 25, it doesn’t automatically expire on your 26th birthday. This means that you can renew it the day before you turn 26 for another year and continue getting discounted travel until the day before you turn 27! Renewals can only take the validity to one year beyond your 25th birthday, and so the last time you can renew a 3 year railcard is the day before your 24th birthday.
The 16-25 railcard has slightly better benefits than the 26-30 Railcard, and so it is worth renewing it before your 25th birthday rather than switching to a 26-30 Railcard.
26-30 Railcard
Good for: Anytime travel anywhere in the country for those aged 25 to 30.
Eligibility requirements: Aged 25 to 30.
Restrictions: £12 minimum fare applies on all fares before 10:00 AM Monday to Friday.
Cost: £30 per year.
If you’re aged 25, stop reading this section and take a look at the 16-25 Railcard – it will give you a better discount!
Overall, the 26-30 Railcard is very similar to the 26-30 Railcard – however the benefits are slightly lower;
- A minimum fare of £12 applies to all journeys before 10:00 AM Monday to Friday except Bank Holidays – with the 16-25 Railcard, this only applies to Anytime and Off-Peak tickets between September and June.
- It can only be renewed for a year at a time, rather than at a cheaper 3-year rate.
- Only valid for seated tickets on the Caledonian Sleeper – with the 16-25 Railcard, discounts also apply to rooms and betrths.
- Only available as a digital railcard (with an app on your phone) – the 16-25 Railcard is also available as a physical card.
Despite the minimum fare restrictions, it is still a great railcard for young commuters as all of our fares before this time to London are in excess of £12. It can also be loaded on to an Oyster card at any TfL station to give you 1/3 off pay as you go travel within London, but it is generally cheaper to buy a travelcard as part of your train ticket to London.
Although this railcard can only be displayed on a phone (i.e. there’s no physical card), this is unlikely to be an issue for most of us between these ages! Do make sure your phone has sufficient charge however – remember that if you cannot display your railcard when asked to by a member of staff, then your ticket is not valid!
This railcard can be renewed up to the day before you turn 31. Make sure you renew it the day before your 31st birthday in order to enjoy discounted travel up to the day before your 32nd birthday – there’s no age-linked railcards after this until you hit 60! You can renew this railcard at any time, so even if your existing one runs out a month after you turn 31 for example, it is worth renewing the day before you turn 31 still in order to get that extended validity – even if it means you overlap with your existing railcard!
Veteran’s Railcard
Good for: Anytime travel anywhere in the country for those who have served, or are currently serving, in the armed forces – including reservists.
Eligibility requirements: Served at least one day in His Majesty’s Armed Forces, regular or reserves.
Restrictions: £12 minimum fare applies on some tickets during the morning peak September to June.
Cost: £30 per year, £70 for 3 years.
For anyone currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, or anyone who has served at least 1 day in the past, this railcard gives similar benefits to the 16-25 Railcard – discounting Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance (fixed train) fares by 1/3. A £12 minimum fare does apply before 10:00 AM Monday to Friday, but there are some exceptions;
- Advance (fixed train) fares have no restrictions.
- No restrictions apply to any fares during July and August.
Even with the £12 minimum fare however, the Veteran’s Railcard is still a good fit for commuters as fares to London are above this. It can also be loaded on to an Oyster card at any TfL station to give you 1/3 off pay as you go travel within London, but it is generally cheaper to buy a travelcard as part of your train ticket to London.