A railcard gives you a one-third discount on most train fares in England, Scotland and Wales. You pay a one-off fee for the card — usually valid for one or three years — and the discount applies at the point of booking. For regular travellers, a railcard typically pays for itself within one or two return trips.
What railcards are available in the UK?
There are eight main national railcards, each targeting a different group of travellers. Most can be bought online and used as a digital card through the National Rail app.
- 16-17 Saver — for travellers aged 16 or 17; 50% off most fares
- 16-25 Railcard — for travellers aged 16 to 25; one-third off most fares
- 26-30 Railcard — for travellers aged 26 to 30; one-third off most fares
- Two Together Railcard — for two named adults travelling together; one-third off
- Family and Friends Railcard — up to 4 adults and 4 children; adults save one-third, children save 60%
- Senior Railcard — for travellers aged 60 and over; one-third off most fares
- Disabled Persons Railcard — for eligible disabled travellers and one companion; one-third off
- HM Forces Railcard — for serving armed forces personnel and immediate family
Some operators also offer regional railcards — such as the Anglia Plus Card or the Devon and Cornwall Railcard — that work in the same way but are only valid within their designated area.
How much can a railcard save you?
The standard discount is one-third off the fare you would otherwise pay. On a £90 Advance return, that brings the cost down to £60. A one-year 16-25 Railcard costs £30 — a single London to Manchester return more than covers the outlay.
- One-third off Advance, Off-Peak, and Anytime fares — subject to a minimum fare floor
- The 16-17 Saver gives 50% off — the largest discount of any railcard
- Children with the Family and Friends Railcard get 60% off
- A three-year 16-25 Railcard costs £70 and is better value if you travel regularly
- Most adult railcards have a minimum fare of £12 standard class — journeys below this floor are charged at the minimum
Are there time restrictions on railcard discounts?
Most railcards carry a Monday to Friday morning restriction. Discounted tickets cannot be used before 10:00 on weekday mornings, unless your journey starts outside the peak restriction zone. There is no time restriction on Saturdays, Sundays, or bank holidays.
- Weekday restriction applies to the departure time of the first train, not when you leave home
- Short journeys under 50 miles may have additional time restrictions in some regions
- The 16-17 Saver removes the morning restriction during school summer holidays
- Season tickets and some commuter fares are excluded from railcard discounts entirely
Always check the fare conditions at the time of booking. Restrictions vary between operators, and the discount cannot be applied retrospectively to a ticket already bought at full price.
How do railcards work with Advance tickets?
Advance tickets can be bought with a railcard discount applied at checkout. The railcard must be valid on the day of travel and must be presented with the ticket at the barrier. Advance fares with a railcard are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, the same as standard Advance tickets.
- You must carry the railcard physically or digitally when travelling — travelling without it risks a penalty fare
- If your railcard expires before your travel date, renew it before you board
- Railcard-discounted Advance allocations are limited and sell out earlier than undiscounted ones on busy routes
Can you use a railcard on a resale ticket?
Resale tickets carry the original fare conditions. If the listing was originally bought with a railcard discount, the buyer must hold a valid railcard of the same type to travel. If the original ticket was bought at full price, no railcard is required.
Listings on SaveMyFare include the original fare type so buyers know what to carry. Browse available listings and check the fare details before purchasing if you are buying a railcard-discounted ticket.
Which railcard should you get?
The right card depends on your age and who you travel with. For most solo travellers under 31, the age-specific railcard is the obvious choice. For couples or families, the Two Together or Family and Friends card reduces shared travel costs significantly.
- Travelling solo, aged 16-25: 16-25 Railcard (£30/year or £70 for three years)
- Travelling solo, aged 26-30: 26-30 Railcard
- Regularly travelling with one other adult: Two Together Railcard
- Travelling as a family: Family and Friends Railcard
- Aged 60 or over: Senior Railcard
Combining a railcard with resale Advance tickets can stack savings — you get the railcard discount built into the original fare, then save again by buying below the face value from the original purchaser. See what is currently available on routes where operator Advance allocations are already sold out.