Is a Railcard worth it?
Most Railcards cost £35 for a year’s membership and give you 1/3 off train travel. They're a great investment because if you use your discount a few times, you can easily make your money back in savings.
Which Railcard is best for me?
There are lots of Railcards to choose from and each one has its own conditions. Our advice is to get a railcard for solo travel and pair this with a Group Railcard to share the discounts with others.
The Network Railcard is fantastic value if you travel within its zone as it can be used for solo and group travel.
16+ year olds
16-17 Saver
- For those aged 16 to 17
- Save 50% on most rail fares across Britain (including Season tickets)
- No time restrictions, can be used during peak times.
- Valid until your 18th birthday
16-25 Railcard
- For those aged 16 to 25
- Save 1/3 on most rail fares across Britain
- Great for commuters as it can be used during peak times, minimum fare applies.
- Cheaper First Class Advance tickets
26-30 Railcard
- For those aged 26 to 30
- Save 1/3 on most rail fares across Britain
- Great for commuters as it can be used during peak times, minimum fare applies.
- Cheaper First Class Advance tickets
Network Railcard
- For journeys inside the Network Railcard area (London and South East of England)
- Up to 4 adults and 4 children can travel on one card
- Save 1/3 off most rail fares, kids get 60% off
- Minimum fare applies & cannot be used before 10 am on weekdays (except bank holidays)
50+ year olds
Club 50
- For those aged 50 and over
- Receive up to 20% discount on Off-Peak & Advance fares
- For travel on Greater Anglia and Stansted Express trains only
Senior Railcard
- For those aged 60 and over
- Save 1/3 off most rail fares across Great Britain
- Get cheaper First Class travel
- Not valid for most journeys fully inside the Network Railcard area during weekday morning peak (except on bank holidays)
Group Railcards
Family & Friends
- Up to four adults and four children can travel on one card.
- Save 1/3 off most rail fares across Great Britain, children get 60% off
- At least 1 railcard holder must travel with a child for discount to work.
- Not valid for most journeys fully inside the Network Railcard area during weekday morning peak (except on bank holidays)
Two Together
- For two adults travelling together
- Save 1/3 off most rail fares across Great Britain
- Get cheaper First Class travel
- You don't have to be a couple, mates can enjoy this too!
- Cannot be used before 09.30 on weekdays (except bank holidays).
Network Railcard
- For journeys inside the Network Railcard area (London and South East of England)
- Up to 4 adults and 4 children can travel on one card
- Save 1/3 off most rail fares, kids get 60% off
- Minimum fare applies & cannot be used before 10 am on weekdays (except bank holidays)
Other Railcards
Disabled Persons
If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult you might qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard.
Veterans Railcard
Visiting family and friends or simply enjoying a day out, travel more for less with a Veterans Railcard.
Please note, if your journey includes travel with a bus or ferry, the railcard discount may be smaller than 1/3.
Help
If you need help with buying a railcard on our website, you might be able to find the answer in our FAQs or speak with the Official Railcard team at
- 0345 301 1654 (Open 9-5 except Xmas day)
- [email protected]
You can request a new code from your railcard account.
If you have any issues, please contact the official railcard team at:
- 0345 301 1654 (Open 9-5 except Xmas day)
- [email protected]
If your ticket includes a disocunt
| Railcard | Restriction |
|---|---|
| 16-17 Saver Railcard | No time restrictions |
| 16-25 Railcard | Fare must be £12 minimum on weekdays if you're travelling before 10am (except if its an Advance ticket, bank holiday or July/August). The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. |
| 26-30 Railcard | Fare must be £12 minimum on weekdays if you're travelling before 10am (except if its an Advance ticket or it's a bank holiday). The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. |
| Family & Friends Railcard | Not valid in London & South East network railcard zone during morning peak on weekdays (except bank holidays), some UK stations do allow travel earlier than 10 am. 1 railcard holder must travel with 1 child. If the child is below 5 years old, you'll need to buy them a child ticket to use the discount. Passengers receiving discount must travel together for entire journey. The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. |
| Two Together Railcard | Not valid before 9.30am on weekdays (except bank holidays). Must travel together for entire journey. The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. |
| Senior Railcard | Not valid in London & South East network railcard zone during morning peak on weekdays (except bank holidays). Some UK stations do allow travel earlier during morning peak. The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. |
| Network Railcard | The full journey must be inside Network railcard zone. Passengers receiving discount must travel together for entire journey. The minimum fare for each child ticket is £1 and Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. On weekdays only (except bank holidays), this railcard is not valid before 10am and the minimum fare for each adult is £13, some UK stations do allow travel earlier than 10 am. |
| Disabled Persons Railcard | No time restrictions. The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. |
| Veterans Railcard | Fare must be £12 minimum on weekdays if you're travelling before 10am (except if its an Advance ticket or it's a bank holiday). The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60. |
| Club 50 Railcard | Valid within the Greater Anglia network. Not valid before 10 am on weekdays (except bank holidays). |
| Annual Gold Card | Not valid before 9.30am on weekdays (excludes bank holidays) |
Download the National Railcard app from the Apple or Google Play app store
Enter your download code into the app (code is sent separately, after your order confirmation email).
If you haven't received your code, please email [email protected]
If someone else bought a railcard for you on our website, you can register it under your name online.
Yes, you can buy National railcards and the Club 50 Railcard at our staffed ticket offices.
Yes you can, but it's risky as you will need to ensure you have your railcard with you on the day of travel, otherwise you'll be liable for a penalty fare.
You can book train tickets for other people with group railcards (Family and Friends Railcard, Network Railcard and Two Together Railcard) but there are restrictions. If you book for someone else with your own solo railcard, they might be charged a penalty fare for travelling with a discounted ticket without a valid railcard.
- Family and Friends Railcard - at least one of two named railcard holders must travel with group
- Network Railcard - named railcard holder must travel with group
- Two Together Railcard - both railcard holders must travel together
The only national railcard you can use to buy monthly season tickets, is the 16-17 Saver Railcard, which gives 50% off travel.
Yes, you can use the following railcards on peak trains:
- 16-17 Saver Railcard - no restrictions
- 16-25 Railcard - minimum fare £12 before 10am on weekdays
- 26-30 Railcard - minimum fare £12 before 10am on weekdays
- Veterans Railcard - minimum fare £12 before 10am on weekdays
Yes, you'll need to show your railcard when we inspect your train ticket on the train.
You'll need to cancel and rebook your train ticket to apply your railcard discount.