A Guide to Railcards for Groups: Enjoy 60% off Child Rail Fares
By Leona
April 11, 2024
What is a group railcard?
A Group Railcard is available in the UK that offers discounts for groups of people travelling together. Group Railcard can be used for families and friends travelling together, as it can save money on group travel by only purchasing one Railcard, with up to 60% discount.
The price of Railcards for Groups
| Railcard | Original Price | Trip.com Discounted Price |
| Family & Friends Railcard | 1-year for £30 | 1-year for £25.50 |
| 3-year for £70 | 3-year for £59.50 | |
| Network Railcard | 1-year for £30 | 1-year for £25.50 |
*The price of the table is based on data from 2024.
Eligibility of Railcards for Groups
Railcards for Groups can save money on train travel, but there’s eligibility for getting. Check whether Railcards for Groups are suitable for you.
| Railcards for Groups | Eligibility |
| Family & Friends Railcard | -Age to apply: 16 and above -Up to 4 adults (ages 16 and above) and 4 children (ages 5-15) -Must include at least one child aged 5-15 |
| Network Railcard | -Age to apply: 16 and above -Up to 3 adults (aged 16 and above) and 4 children (aged 5-15) |
If you’re eligible for the group Railcard, you can enjoy 1/3 discount on adult rail fares and 60% on child rail fares.
How to get cheap Railcards for groups?
Pre-order proof
All Railcards are available to purchase through the Trip.com app. To purchase a Railcard, you will need:
- Proof of age (UK driving licence/provisional licence, passport, or EEA national ID card)
- A high-quality digital passport-style photo of yourself
- Debit or credit card for payment
Buy a group Railcard online
- Open the Trip.com app and tap "Trains" at the top of the homepage.
- Tap "Buy a Railcard" at the bottom of the page.
- Sign in to your Trip.com account and select a Railcard type that is right for you.
- Enter your personal information and purchase.
- Tap "My Railcards" to view your Railcard.
- Use your Railcard to buy tickets.
Buy a group Railcard at a station
You can apply your group Railcard at any staffed station ticket office. But make sure to prepare a complete application form for time saving.
- Choose the staffed station ticket office near you and go there.
- Select the Railcard you need.
- Present the proof, as well as the application form.
- Buy a Railcard at the station as instructed by station staff.
- Use your Railcard to buy discounted tickets.
Note:
- A Railcard issued at a station cannot be renewed online.
- The Network Railcard can only be purchased within the Network Railcard area.
Other rewards with a group Railcard
In addition to the discounts on adult and child fares, Group Railcards offer several other rewards to enhance the travel experience for groups, which may include discounts on theatre, shoppings, dining and more.
From the data of 2024, if you’re a group Railcard holder, you can enjoy £50 to spend at Virgin Wines plus FREE delivery & FREE Stemless Wine Glasses, a 3‐month tastecard membership for free, 5% off on a cottages.com booking, saving up to £50 on top of Haven's best direct prices, saving 20% on Virgin Experience Days, saving 5% on Hoseasons Lodges, Parks and Boating breaks, saving up to 50% on theatre tickets and more.
The conditions of using Railcards for groups
| Railcards for Groups | Covered Area | Available Time | Validity |
| Family & Friends Railcard | Across the UK | Not available on tickets for morning peak, and journeys within London & South East Network Railcard area on Mondays to Fridays | 1-year or 3-year from the purchase |
| Network Railcard | London and the South East of England | -During off-peak Mondays to Fridays (from 10:00am) -Anytime on Saturdays, Sundays -Anytime on public holidays | 1-year from the purchase |
What are the advantages of group Railcard?
Cost-Effective
Group Railcards make group travel more affordable, which will be the best choice for family travel and friends’ outing. Group Railcards offer discounts on both adult and child fares with only one Railcard. If you’re in a larger group, the group Railcard can save big for you.
Flexibility & Convenience
Group Railcards can be used for day trips, or longer journeys. As the group Railcard covers all members of your group, your ticket purchasing process will be greatly streamlined, saving time and effort.
Good for spending time together
Group travel by train will help you spend quality time together. It will be a good chance to create lasting memories with your families and friends during the train travel.
Places to visit with a group Railcard
With a Group Railcard, you have travel plenty of places across the UK. Here are some popular places to visit:
- London: Explore the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, as well as the London Eye.
- Edinburgh: Visit Edinburgh Castle, and hike up Arthur's Seat.
- Oxford: Visit Oxford University, the Bodleian Library, and explore the River Thames.
- Cambridge: Explore Cambridge University, the River Cam, and the Fitzwilliam Museum.
Note: The Network Railcard only covers London and the South East of England.
Find the best Railcards for Groups
| Age | Condition | Railcard Recommendation |
| 16 and above | -With a partner and must travel together for the entire journey -Couples who love to travel | Two Together Railcard |
| 16 and above | -Up to 4 adults (ages 16 and above) and 4 children (ages 5–15) -Families who love travel and group outings | Family & Friends Railcard |
| 16 and above | -Up to 3 adults (ages 16 and above) and 4 children (ages 5-15) -Rgularly travel to or within London or Southeast England | Network Railcard |
Other Realcard deals
FAQ about Railcards for Groups
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How many people can travel with a group Railcard?
-
Can I use a group Railcard for any travel across the UK?
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Can I claim a refund if I don’t use my digital Railcard?
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