A Railcard is a discount card that gives you up to 1/3 off your rail travel. It comes in either a digital format, which you have on your mobile phone or device, or a physical version.
Railcards are valid for either 1 year or 3 years. The average cost is £30 for 1 year and £70 for 3 years, with the Disabled Persons Railcard costing just £24 for 1 year and £54 for 3 years.
The 9 main types of Railcard available are:
To see prices for your Railcard check the table below.
Railcard | 1 year cost | 3 year cost |
---|---|---|
16-17 Saver | £30 | – |
16-25 Railcard | £30 | £70 |
26-30 Railcard | £30 | – |
Disabled Persons Railcard | £20 | £54 |
Family & Friends Railcard | £30 | £70 |
Network Railcard | £30 | – |
Senior Railcard | £30 | £70 |
Two Together Railcard | £30 | – |
Veterans Railcard | £30 | £70 |
Most people will be eligible for 1 or more type of Railcard, depending on factors such as your age, and who you normally travel with.
There are specific requirements for the Disabled Persons Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab), the Veterans Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab), and for mature students who are eligible for a 16-25 Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab).
To see if you can get a Railcard, check the table below.
Railcard | Eligibility |
---|---|
16-17 Saver | Anyone aged 16 or 17 |
16-25 Railcard | Anyone between 16 and 25 years old in full-time education |
26-30 Railcard | Available to anyone aged between 26 and 30 |
Disabled Persons Railcard | You might qualify if you are in receipt of a disability-related benefit; have a visual impairment; have a hearing impairment; have epilepsy |
Family & Friends Railcard | Up to 4 adults when travelling with up to 4 children aged 5 to 15 |
Network Railcard | Anyone 16 and over. Maximum group size is up-to four adults (aged 16+) and up to four children (aged 5-15) |
Senior Railcard | Anyone 60 and over |
Two Together Railcard | Two people aged 16 and over travelling together |
Veterans Railcard | Anyone that has served for at least one day in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or has been a Merchant Mariner and seen duty on legally defined military operations |
You can apply online(external link, opens in a new tab) for a digital or physical Railcard, or in person at a staffed station ticket office for a physical Railcard. You may buy a Railcard for yourself or another person.
For certain types of Railcards you will need to provide proof of identity – forms of ID accepted are:
Passport
Drivers Licence (excluding Northern Ireland)
EEA National Identity Card
Yes. Depending on the type of Railcard you have, you may receive a range of free gifts and great special offers and discounts on things like days out, theatre tickets, food and drink, holidays and more.
You can register for your Railcard account here(external link, opens in a new tab).
If you already have a Railcard you can sign in to your account here(external link, opens in a new tab).
If you are having difficulty signing in, please try resetting your password(external link, opens in a new tab). Remember that it may take several minutes for the password reset link to arrive in your inbox (don't forget to check your junk folder). If no email has turned up after 10 minutes, double-check your email address and request another link.
Once you have signed in to your account, you will be able to:
Complete the purchase of a Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab)
Add a Railcard to your account(external link, opens in a new tab)
Request a download code(external link, opens in a new tab) for your digital Railcard
Check the status(external link, opens in a new tab) of a Railcard
Replace a lost or stolen(external link, opens in a new tab) physical Railcard
Update your telephone number and address(external link, opens in a new tab)
If you bought your Railcard on our website then you can visit our Railcard help page(external link, opens in a new tab) to get support or contact us.
If you bought a Railcard from another retailer then please visit their website for help and support.
If you have lost or damaged a physical Railcard that you bought online
You will need to sign in to your account(external link, opens in a new tab) and order a replacement online. You can only apply for a replacement Railcard 7 or more days after the date of the original online purchase.
You are entitled to apply for 1 replacement in the event of loss or damage. You will have to pay a £10 administration fee.We regret that any journeys you make while you are without your Railcard will have to be at full fare and any discount lost is not refundable.
If you have lost or damaged a physical Railcard that you bought at a station
You can go to any staffed station where you must give the completed receipt portion of your original application form to staff – we will not be able to issue any replacements for loss if you do not have the stamped receipt.
If your replacement is due to damage you will be required to surrender your old damaged Railcard.You will have to pay a £10 administration fee.
Don’t forget that you will also need to provide a new photo if you need to replace your Photocard too.
If your Railcard has been stolen
If you have been given a crime reference number or documents by the Police, then we willgive you a free replacement.To replace a stolen Railcardyou bought online, please sign in to your account(external link, opens in a new tab) and follow the replacement process, you will need to quote your crime reference number.
To replace a stolen Railcard you bought at a station you need to go to a station with your crime reference number/documentation and some form of identification.
You canrenewyour digital Railcard within 30 days of its expiry.
Click Renew next to the Railcard you wish to renew
Check all the details are correct and update if required
Pay, and you’re done!
If we have your email address, we’ll send you a reminder that your Railcard is due for renewal. But remember, it’s your responsibility to check that your Railcard is in date before buying or using Railcard-discounted tickets.
If you didn’t buy your Railcard online, you can still renew it online. You will need to create an account(external link, opens in a new tab) and purchase a new Railcard. You should wait until your station-bought Railcard has expired so you don’t lose any validity.
You can use your Railcard for 1/3 off most fares and ticket types.
There may be some restrictions on when you can use your Railcard, and a minimum fare may apply at certain times.
To see the full terms and conditions for your Railcard, click on a link below.