A Guide to Renewing Railcards for the UK Rail System

Brief Introduction to UK Railcards

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Liverpool Street Station, London, UK

(Get a Railcard, railcard.co.uk)

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St Pancras International, Euston Road, London, UK

Railcard – Eligibility & Special Requirements

16 – 17 Saver Railcard

However, please note that a £12 minimum fare applies to journeys starting between 4:30 and 10:00 on weekdays. This Railcard is designed such that 16- and 17-year-olds can access the same half-price child fares that they enjoyed until they were 16 years old. This 16-17 Saver Railcard can be purchased by all 16- and 17-year-olds who live in Britain or abroad. The 16 – 17 Saver Railcard is priced at just £30. It is valid for 1 year or until the day before the user’s 18th birthday, whichever comes first. Users can buy and travel discounted tickets up until the expiry date of the 16-17 Saver Railcard. For users who have bought a discounted Season ticket before the Railcard’s expiry date, users can continue to use the Season ticket for up to 4 months after the Railcard’s expiry date provided that the Season ticket is still valid. The expiry date and the date that users can use their Season tickets are shown on the 16-17 Saver Railcard.

Users are advised to apply for the 16-17 Saver Railcard online as it is the most convenient method. Please prepare the following documents during application: evidence of age (a valid UK driving license, passport or EEA national ID card), a good quality digital passport-style photo of the applicant and a debit or credit card for payment. Users who do not have the above forms of ID can upload a scanned copy of their birth certificate or a government-approved PASS card instead. However, applications using these forms of ID will take more time to process. When the application is approved, users can download the 16 –17 Saver Railcard to the Railcard app on their phone or keep the Railcard in their wallet to get half-price tickets across the National Rail network (excluding travel on ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services).

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The 16 – 17 Saver Railcard allows users to enjoy 50% off standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance and Season ticket

16 – 25 Railcard

Please note that the prices above are estimated prices.

Please note that a £12 minimum fare applies to journeys starting between 4:30 and 10:00 on weekdays excluding Advance Fares. This minimum fare does not apply on public holidays or throughout July and August.

1-year 16-25 Railcard is priced at £30 and it can be bought online or at a station. Users can buy or renew their 1-year 16-25 Railcard up to and including the day before their 26th birthday and keep using it until its expiry date. 3-year 16-25 Railcard is priced at £70 and it can only be bought online. Users can buy them up until the day before their 24th birthday, which will make the expiry date the day before the user’s 27th birthday.

Users are advised to apply for the 16-25 Railcard online as it is the most convenient method. Please prepare the following documents during application: evidence of age (a valid UK driving license, passport or EEA national ID card), a good quality digital passport-style photo of the applicant and a debit or credit card for payment. Users who have opted for a digital Railcard can download the Railcard app. Then, users will be able to download the 16 - 25 Railcard to the app using the download code sent by email and the Railcard will be available for use right away. As for users who have opted for a physical Railcard, please allow up to 5 working days for the Railcard to arrive. Users are required to have the Railcard to be able to get a discount on the rail ticket, so please leave enough time before your journey for the Railcard to be delivered. Hence, users who are traveling on the day of their purchase are advised to purchase their Railcards at a station instead. Applicants will need to fill in an application form and provide the following documents: evidence of age (birth certificate, any nationality’s passport, a valid UK driving license or EEA national ID card), a passport-size photo and proof of eligibility if the applicant is a mature student.

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The 16 – 25 Railcard allows users aged 16-25 and mature students to enjoy 1/3 off rail fares

26 – 30 Railcard

Please note that the prices above are estimated prices.

Please note that a £12 minimum fare applies to journeys starting between 4:30 and 10:00 on weekdays. Journeys that commence at 10:00 are eligible for the Railcard discount. For users who travel regularly between 04:30 and 09:59 from Monday to Friday, a weekly or monthly season ticket could be the best way to save money instead. Please note that 26 – 30 Railcards do not give discounts on season tickets.

All users between 26 and 30 years old are eligible. Users can buy the 26-30 Railcard any time before the user’s 31st birthday and keep using it until its expiry date. The digital 26-30 Railcard is only available for purchase online. Please prepare the following documents during application: evidence of age (a valid UK driving license, passport or EEA national ID card), a good quality digital passport-style photo of the applicant and a debit or credit card for payment. Users will first need to download the Railcard app. Then, users will be able to download the 26 - 30 Railcard to the app using the download code sent by email and the Railcard will be available for use.

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The 26 – 30 Railcard allows everyone aged 26 – 30 to enjoy 1/3 off rail fares

Senior Railcard

Please note that the prices above are estimated prices.

1-year Senior Railcard is priced at £30 and it can be bought online or at a station. 3-year Senior Railcard is priced at £70 and it can only be bought online. Users can buy their Senior Railcards online up to 2 weeks before the user’s 60th birthday. However, the Senior Railcard will only be valid for use from the user’s 60th birthday onwards. Users purchasing their Senior Railcards at a station are unable to purchase the Railcards in advance.

To purchase a Senior Railcard online, please prepare the following documents during application: evidence of age (a valid UK driving license, passport or EEA national ID card), a good quality digital passport-style photo of the applicant (for digital Railcard only) and a debit or credit card for payment. Users who have opted for digital Railcard will need to download the Railcard app. Then, users will be able to download the Senior Railcard to the app using the download code sent by email and the Railcard will be available for use. Digital Railcards can be stored on up to two devices.

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The Senior Railcard allows everyone aged 60 and over to enjoy 1/3 off rail fares

Two Together Railcard

Please note that the prices above are estimated prices.

Both applicants will need to be at least 16 years old. The 1/3 discount applies to most adult rail tickets except for the morning peak times. Users are advised to apply for the Two Together Railcard online as it is the most convenient method. Please prepare the following documents during application: 2 separate digital photos (one for each person named on the Railcard) and a debit or credit card for payment.

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The Two Together Railcard allows 2 named people traveling together to enjoy 1/3 off rail fares

Family and Friends Railcard

The 3-year Family and Friend Railcard is priced at £70 and it can only be bought online. The Family and Friends Railcard provides average annual savings of up to £150, and the card will have paid for itself after several trips! Please note that the Railcard holder must travel with a child (age 5 – 15) to be eligible for the discounts. Here are some examples of the savings you can get for train tickets with the Family and Friends Railcard:

Please note that the prices above are estimated prices.

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Up to 4 adults and 4 children can travel on one Family and Friends Railcard

Disabled Persons Railcard

Please note that the prices above are estimated prices.

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The Disabled Persons Railcard allows users with a disability that makes traveling by train difficult to enjoy 1/3 off rail fares

Veterans Railcard

The Veterans Railcard costs just £30 a year or £70 for 3 years. The Railcard can be used any time of the day. However, please note that a £12 minimum fare applies to all journeys made between 04:30 and 09:59 from Monday to Friday, excluding Advance fares, on Public Holidays or throughout July and August. For users who travel regularly between 04:30 and 09:59 from Monday to Friday, a weekly or monthly season ticket could be the best way to save money instead. Please note that Veterans Railcards do not give discounts on season tickets.

Users can apply for the Veterans Railcard online or by post. For online applications, please prepare the following documents: proof of eligibility as a veteran, a digital passport-style photo of the applicant and a debit or credit card for payment.

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The Veterans Railcard allows UK veterans to enjoy 1/3 off rail fares

Network Railcard

Please note that the prices above are estimated prices.

Users can apply for the Network Railcard online or at a station. For online applications, please prepare the following documents: the user’s home address, a valid email address, a digital passport-style photo of the applicant (for digital Railcard) and a debit or credit card for payment. Users who have opted for digital Railcard will need to download the Railcard app. Then, users will be able to download the Network Railcard to the app using the download code sent by email and the Railcard will be available for use.

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The Network Railcard is available for users aged 16 or over who are traveling in the South East

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Railcards discounts are applicable when you purchase your train tickets on Trip.com!

FAQ