Railcard discounts explained

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 automatically at the point of booking. For anyone who travels regularly, 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 aimed at a different group of travellers. Most can be bought online in seconds and used as a digital card through the National Rail app, so there is no need to wait for anything to arrive in the post.

• 16–17 Saver: for travellers aged 16 or 17, giving 50% off most fares.
• 16–25 Railcard: for travellers aged 16 to 25, giving a third off most fares.
• 26–30 Railcard: for travellers aged 26 to 30, giving a third off most fares.
• Two Together Railcard: for two named adults travelling together, giving a third off.
• Family and Friends Railcard: covers up to four adults and four children, with adults saving a third and children saving 60%.
• Senior Railcard: for travellers aged 60 and over, giving a third off most fares.
• Disabled Persons Railcard: for eligible disabled travellers and one companion, giving a third off.
• HM Forces Railcard: for serving armed forces personnel and their immediate family.

Some operators also offer regional railcards, such as the Anglia Plus Card or the Devon and Cornwall Railcard. These work the same way as a national railcard but are only valid within their designated area.

How much can a railcard save you?

The standard discount is a 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, so a single London to Manchester return more than covers the outlay.

• A 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 travelling on the Family and Friends Railcard get 60% off.
• A three year 16–25 Railcard costs £70 and works out better value if you travel regularly.
• Most adult railcards carry a minimum fare of £12 in standard class, so journeys below this floor are charged at the minimum instead.

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.

• The weekday restriction applies to the departure time of the first train, not when you leave home.
• Short journeys under 50 miles can carry additional time restrictions in some regions.
• The 16–17 Saver removes the morning restriction during the 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, since 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 alongside the ticket at the barrier. Advance fares bought with a railcard are non refundable and non exchangeable, the same as a standard Advance ticket.

• Carry the railcard physically or digitally when you travel, since travelling without it risks a penalty fare.
• Renew your railcard before you board if it will have expired by your travel date.
• Railcard discounted Advance allocations are limited and tend to sell out earlier than undiscounted ones on busy routes.

Can you use a railcard on a resale ticket, and can you sell one?

Resale tickets carry the same fare conditions they were originally sold under. If a listing was bought with a railcard discount, the buyer needs to hold a valid railcard of the same type in order to travel on it. If the original ticket was bought at full price, no railcard is required. Listings on SaveMyFare show the original fare type clearly, so buyers know exactly what they need to carry before purchasing.

If you are the one selling, a railcard discounted ticket can still be listed, but be upfront about the requirement in your listing description. Your realistic buyer pool is narrower, since it is limited to travellers who already hold that same railcard, so price accordingly. If your ticket was bought at full price with no railcard attached, it is transferable to anyone and easier to sell. Either way, if you have an unused ticket you can no longer travel on, see how to sell your train ticket for eligibility, pricing and listing. One trade-off worth knowing before you buy resale specifically to save money: a railcard discount can sometimes beat a resale price outright, so it is worth comparing both. Our SaveMyFare versus buying direct comparison covers exactly when a railcard-discounted new ticket wins out over a resale one. Whether you call it reselling, a second-hand ticket, or just passing on a ticket you can no longer use, the listing process is the same: sell your railcard train ticket once you know which buyer pool you are aiming at.

Which railcard should you get?

The right card depends on your age and who you usually 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 to 25: 16–25 Railcard, £30 a year or £70 for three years.
• Travelling solo, aged 26 to 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 a resale Advance ticket can stack savings. You get the railcard discount already built into the original fare, then save again by buying below face value from the original purchaser. See what is currently available on routes where operator Advance allocations have already sold out.