Railcards offer great savings if you're travelling by train, and can save you at least 1/3 on the price of your train ticket. All the key information about railcards is available: the different types, the benefits…
To save even more money the National Rail recommends that you buy a Railcard and get discounts on your train travel. The discount train card is simply the National Rail loyalty program that will get you 34% discount on all trains or at least those reserved in advance.
There are 6 different railcards available in United Kingdom, each offering great savings: 16-25 railcard, Family railcard, Senior railcard, Disabled Persons railcard, Two Together railcard and Network railcard. To get your own Railcard check if you can buy one of the six existing Railcards depending on your age or your situation.
In addition to the discount on train fares, having a railcard also allows you to have additional benefits such as great deals, discounts or railcard promotional codes on days out, eating out, attractions and more. In fact, when you buy a railcard you can access the railcard promotional code. To know what you can get, you just have to check the “Members Area” on the railcard website. Thanks to railcards you can buy very cheap train tickets to travel across UK.
Are you between 16 and 25 years old or are you older and a full-time student? If so, you can buy the 16-25 Railcard and save on a wide range of train tickets. The 16-25 Railcard gives you 1/3 off rail fares throughout Great Britain, it just costs £30 for a 1 year Railcard.
Are you travelling with kids? The Family & Friends Railcard will allow you to save money on most train prices across the United Kingdom. With a Family and Friends Railcard you can get 1/3 off most adult rail fares and gives 60% off children's fares, throughout Great Britain. It just costs £30 for a 1 year Railcard.
Are you 60 years old or over? Buying the Senior Railcard and you will get discounts on train ticket prices. With a senior Railcard you can save 1/3 on Standard and First class rail fares across UK. It costs £30 for a 1 year Railcard.
If you are two people who often travel together, this Railcard is for you! You can purchase the Two Together Railcard and get discounts on train fares. With a Two together Railcard you can save 1/3 on rail fares throughout Great Britain. It costs £30 (£15 each) for a 1 year Railcard.
If you often travel to London and in South East England you can buy a £30 Network Railcard and benefit from 1/3 off adult rail fares and 60% off kids' fares too. With this card you can travel with up to four adults and four children.
With a Disabled Railcard you can get 1/3 off rail fares throughout Great Britain for you and an accompanying person. It costs £20 for a 1 year Railcard.
Three different ways exist to buy a railcard in United Kingdom to get discounts on rail tickets:
When you buy railcard, you need a valid passport or UK driving licence to verify your identity, a photo and your credit card to pay.
For your information, national railcards cannot be used for train journeys to Europe, and they are not valid for the purchase of a Eurostar ticket.
You will need to carry your valid railcard when you travel and present it with your ticket, when asked.
To sum up, use the table below to see the benefits and who is eligible for each different type of railcard available in the United Kingdom.
| Railcard | Benefits | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-25 Railcard | - 1/3 off on rail fares across Great Britain - Discount on all Standard Class fares and First Class Advance fares |
- Aged 16-25 included or - 26+ and in full time education |
£30 for 1 year |
| Two Together Railcard | - 1/3 off on rail fares across Great Britain - Discount on all Standard and First Class fares travelling after 9:30 Monday to Friday |
- Aged 16-25 included - Two people travelling together |
£30 for 1 year (£15 each person) |
| Family & Friends Railcard | - 1/3 off on adult fares - 60% off on child's fares - Discount on all Standard Class fares - Discount available for up to 4 adults and 4 children |
- Travelling with at least 1 child - The child must be between 5-15 years old - 2 adults can be named on the Railcard |
£30 for 1 year |
| Senior Railcard | - 1/3 off on rail fares across Great Britain - Discount on all Standard and First Class fares |
- Aged 60+ included |
£30 for 1 year |
| Disabled Persons Railcard | - 1/3 off on rail fares across Great Britain - Discount on all Standard and First Class fares - Discount available for the Railcard holder and an accompanying adult |
- Receive disability-related benefits, including Personal Independence Payments - Are registered as deaf or use a hearing aid - Are registered as visually impaired - Have epilepsy |
£20 for 1 year |
| Network Railcard | - Discount in London and the South East - Adults save 1/3 and children 60% on rail travel in the Network Railcard area. - Discount on all Standard Class fares - Discount available for up to 4 adults and 4 children (including Railcard holder) |
- Aged 16+ included |
£30 for 1 year |
Railcard prices and railcard discount observed in September 2014.