Best railcard deals: Save as much as £140 on train travel | Travel News | Travel

Rail fares are set to increase on March 3, 2024, and though the Government has capped the increase a 4.9 percent it will still see passengers paying more for some rail journeys. However, the Railcard is a simple way you can save up to one-third on rail travel across the UK and according to Railcard there is an option for everyone “no matter who you are”.

According to Railcard data, customers are able to save an average of £140 a year on rail journeys. There are currently nine types of Railcard available to purchase, which range from £20 to £20 for a year. Select cards can be purchased in advance for a period of three years.

You can use the menu at the side to select the specific Railcard you are interested in for more information, or scroll down to read our full guide to the Railcards on offer, as well as information on how to purchase.

A Railcard can be obtained either digitally, using the Railcard app on your phone, or physically with an actual card you can carry with you. The Railcard entitles you to discounts of up to one-third on select tickets and rail fares, though the type of Railcard you are eligible for can depend on a number of factors such as age, region or who you are travelling with. According to Railcard: “A Railcard saves you money on almost every journey you take.”

To purchase a Railcard, either head to the Railcard website or download the Railcard mobile phone app.

Alternatively, you can purchase your Railcard via Trainline. As the Railcard is stored directly in the Trainline app, you can use it right away to get one-third off eligible journeys for a whole year. Trainline also offers a “hassle-free” Railcard renewal service if yours has expired. Then, your Railcard and train tickets will all be in one place. 

The cost of a Railcard varies depending on the type of Railcard you are purchasing and the length of time it is valid for. Most cards cost £30 for a one-year Railcard, with the exception of the Disabled Persons Railcard, available for £20.

Three-year Railcards typically cost £70, except the Disabled Persons Railcard for £54.

Passengers who are either 16 or 17 can get up to 50 percent off Standard Anytime, Standard Off-Peak, Standard Advance and Season tickets for travel at any time of the day with a 16-17 Saver. It can be used on all forms of travel, whether that’s going to and from school, college or work, as well as days or nights out with friends and family.

The 16-17 Saver is valid for one year or until your 18th birthday, whichever comes first and is not available to purchase at stations. The card is different from the 16-25 Railcard as it does not have

A 16-17 Saver costs £30 from the Railcard website or from Trainline, but you must make sure you have the app or physical card with you when you travel.

You can learn more and purchase your 16-17 Saver here.

According to Railcard: “People with a 16-25 Railcard save on average £159 per year or £4.56 per journey.”

As the name suggests, the 16-26 Railcard is for people aged between 16 and 25 years old, or are a mature student who can prove their eligibility. You can use the card to save on most rickets, including Advance tickets, though there are some time limitations. A £12 minimum fare when travelling during morning peak times applies.

You can also use your Railcard on London Underground services. With your Railcard you can get one-third off Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your journey to London from outside London Zones one to nine (subject to a minimum fare which is currently £19.10).

With an Oyster card, you can get your Railcard discount loaded onto your Oyster card to save a third on single off-peak pay-as-you-go fares on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services in London.

Once you’ve purchased your Railcard for £30 from the Railcard website or Trainline, simply apply it when booking your tickets and make sure to have your Railcard in either app or physical form with you when you travel.

You can learn more and purchase your 16-25 Railcard here.

The 26-30 Railcard covers train travel for passengers aged between 26 and 30 years old. Customers who have a 26 to 30 Railcard have been found to save an average of up to £218 per year. The card costs £30 for one year.

With your Railcard you can also get one-third off Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your journey to London from outside London Zones one to nine (subject to a minimum fare which is currently £19.60).

With an Oyster card, you can get your Railcard discount loaded onto your Oyster card to save a third on single off-peak pay-as-you-go fares on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services in London. You will need to have registered your Oyster in your name to do this.

You must apply your Railcard when purchasing train tickets and then make sure to have it with you when you travel.

You can learn more and purchase your 26-30 Railcard here.

If you have a disability, you are eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard. There is no age specification associated with this type of Railcard. With the Disabled Persons Railcard, you can save one-third on the price of train tickets. According to Railcard: “People with a Disabled Persons Railcard save on average £91 per year or £4.26 per journey.”

You can save on most tickets, including Advance tickets, and the savings will apply to yourself and one adult companion.

You can purchase the Disabled Persons Railcard for either £20 for one year or £54 for three years. You will need to upload your evidence documentation at purchase, but this can be done easily online.

Once purchased, simply apply your Railcard when booking your trains and then make sure to travel with your Railcard app or physical card.

You can learn more and purchase your Disabled Persons Railcard here.

If you’re often out and about with family and friends then this is the Railcard for you. The Family & Friends Railcard covers up to four adults travelling with up to four children – and you don’t all need to be related. Two adults can be named as cardholders on your Family & Friends Railcard. The two adults don’t need to travel together but you do need to be travelling with at least one child between the ages of 5 and 15 to be eligible for the discount. What’s more, up to four adults and four children can travel on the same card and receive the savings.

Furthermore, if you’re with kids under five, they travel completely free. Each adult can have up to two ‘under fives’ with them. But if there’s only one child in the group and they’re under five, you’ll need to buy them a child ticket to be eligible for the Family & Friends discount. All child fares are subject to a £1 minimum fare.

If your child turns 16 before your one-year Family & Friends Railcard runs out, they can still travel at the discounted child fare for as long as the card is still valid.

And, if you’ve purchased a three-year Railcard and your child turns 16 before it runs out, they can carry on travelling at the discounted child rate until the day before they turn 17.

You can buy a one-year Family & Friends Railcard for £30 or a three-year Railcard for £70. To get the discount, add the Railcard when purchasing your tickets and then remember that all adults in your party have it with them when travelling.

Learn more and purchase your Family & Friends Railcard here.

If you are aged 60 and over, the Senior Railcard is the option for you. Costing just £30 a year, the Senior Railcard saves you one-third on all Off-Peak journeys offering you immediate savings. Or for even better value, you can get the three-year Railcard for £70.

According to Railcard: “People with a Senior Railcard save on average £76 per year or £5.34 per journey.”

Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between two stations in the Network Railcard area of validity, so it’s worth checking what the peak times are at your chosen stations. But other than that, you can use your Railcard any other time.

All you need to do is apply it when purchasing your tickets and then make sure to carry it with you. 

Learn more and purchase your Senior Railcard here.

The Network Railcard offers up to four adults and four children travelling together one-third off rail fares in South East England for just £30 for a year. The Network Railcard spans more than 16 counties in the South East including Greater London and places as far afield as Exeter, Worcester, Northampton and Kings Lynn so you could travel further than you think.

According to Railcard: “People with a Network Railcard save on average £134 per year or £4.65 per journey.”

You can buy Network Railcard discounted tickets for travel any time on weekends and public holidays or from 10:00am Monday to Friday. You may be able to start your journey a little earlier than 10:00am, see the time restriction easements section for details or check at your local station.

With your Network Railcard, you can take up to three adults with you and they also get a third off their fare, and up to four children aged between five and 15 who will get 60 percent off their fare.

Simply add the Railcard when purchasing your tickets and then make sure to have it on you when you travel.

Learn more and purchase your Network Railcard here.

Do you frequently travel with one other person? Then why not cut the cost of your railcar with a Two Together Railcard? For just £30 a year, or split the cost at £15 each, this Railcard can offer up to one-third discount on Off-Peak rail travel for you and the joint cardholder. And you don’t necessarily have to be a couple, it could be a family member or friend.

Railcard states: “People with a Two Together Railcard save on average £153 per year, or £6.26 per journey.”

The card is valid Off-Peak Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends and on bank holidays.

All you need to do is purchase your Railcard, make sure to apply it when buying your tickets and then always have it with you when travelling.

Learn more and purchase your Two Together Railcard here.

The new Veterans Railcard is for UK Veterans who have served at least one day in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations. You can purchase a one-year Railcard for £30 or a three-year Railcard for £70.

As a cardholder, you can buy tickets for your named companion and up to four children as long as they are travelling with you and they will enjoy the same discount as you. Discounted price tickets purchased by a Veterans Railcard holder should be issued for travel for the same origin and destination and should normally be of the same ticket type.

You can also use your Railcard at all times of day, however, a £12 minimum fare applies to all journeys made between 4.30am and 9.59am Monday to Friday, excluding Advance fares, on Public Holidays or throughout July and August.

The Veterans Railcard is also eligible to get discounted travel on London Underground.

Learn more and purchase your Veterans Railcard here.