What restrictions does my Railcard have? Senior, Network and more

Jay Harlow

Published: Feb 27, 2026

Updated: Oct 16, 2026

What restrictions does my Railcard have? Senior, Network and more

If you often travel by train, you're sure to have heard of Railcards. These handy discount cards save you a whopping one-third on train fares - you just need to fit into one of the categories and pay a small annual fee (that you'll quickly make back in savings).

There are 9 main types of Railcards available across Great Britain - the 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together Railcard, Family & Friends Railcard, 16-17 Saver, Network Railcard, Disabled Persons Railcard and Veterans Railcard.

The savings are huge, but you'll just need to make sure you follow the rules and restrictions of each card. Luckily, there aren't too many to abide by. These sensible restrictions exist to keep rail prices fair for everyone and make sure trains aren't too busy during peak hours.

This guide covers restrictions for each type of Railcard, so you can make the most out of yours.

Standard terms for all UK Railcards

While each Railcard has its own specific quirks, there are a few broad rules that apply to them all. These are:

Carry your Railcard with you every time you travel. Physical cards must be signed and have your photo, while digital versions need to be saved on your device.
Railcards are personal and non-transferable. Each card belongs to the named holder only - you can't lend it to someone else.
Be ready to show your Railcard to ticket inspectors. If you don't have it to hand, you'll pay the full fare or get a penalty.
Buy your train tickets before boarding. You won't get the discount if you buy on board (unless you boarded at a station with no ticket office or ticket machines).
Lost or stolen cards cost £10 to replace. Make sure you keep yours safe! This fee is waived if you have a police reference number, though. Of course, this only counts for physical cards - be sure to pick up a digital Railcard with Trip to never worry about misplacing yours!
You can't get refunds on unused cards. So be sure to make use of your discount and travel by train.

Senior Railcard restrictions

You'll need to be over the age of 60 to be eligible for a Senior Railcard. It costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years and saves you a third off both Standard and First Class tickets.

When you can travel？

Outside London and the South East, you can use your Senior Railcard anytime on any day.

Within the Network Rail area (London and the South East), your discount isn't valid during morning peak hours Monday to Friday. That means you'll need to travel after 09:30 to save a third on your fare.

Luckily, this restriction doesn't apply on weekends or bank holidays.

Where you can travel？

Your Senior Railcard works across the entire Great Britain rail network. Just remember the discount isn't valid in the London and South East area on trains before 9:30 am. It's also not valid for Northern Ireland.

Who can use this Railcard？

You need to be 60 or over. The card is non-transferable, so only you can use it. Carry your valid card with you - either the physical version signed with your photo, or the digital version on your device. If you can't show it when asked, you'll pay the full fare or face a penalty.

Minimum fare

There's no general minimum fare.

What operators accept this Railcard？

All National Rail operators across Great Britain accept the Senior Railcard. You can also load it onto your Oyster card for Off-Peak pay-as-you-go discounts on National Rail, Underground, Overground and DLR services in London.

Season tickets, Eurostar and charter services don't accept the Senior Railcard.

Other things to keep in mind

The discount covers both Standard and First Class travel.

You can purchase your Senior Railcard here.

Network Railcard restrictions

The Network Railcard costs £35 per year and saves you (and up to 3 accompanying adults) a third off Standard class tickets for travel within certain areas.

When you can travel？

You can use your Network Railcard anytime on weekends and from 10 am onwards Monday to Friday, although some operators may let you start your journey earlier. The good news is that bank holidays are considered weekends, so you can travel at any time with your card on these days.

Where you can travel？

The Network Railcard only works in London and South East England. If you're travelling beyond the boundary, you'll only get the discount on the portion of your journey within the Network area. You'll then need a full-price ticket for any part of the journey outside the boundaries.

You can view the map to see where you can travel. Cities covered include Brighton,Cambridge and Oxford.

Who can use this Railcard？

Anyone 16 or over can buy one, and up to four adults can travel together on one card, plus up to four children aged 5-15 who get 60% off. The card is non-transferable, and you must carry it with you during the journey. Remember, you'll pay the full fare or face a penalty if you don't have it on you when a ticket inspector asks to see it.

Minimum fare

Your fare needs to cost a certain amount for you to be eligible for a third off. For adults, the minimum is £13 for travel Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. There's no minimum fare amount for adults to travel on weekends. For kids under 15, it's £1 minimum at all times. Anytime Day Travelcards have a £23.60 minimum.

Just keep in mind that these amounts apply per person, not per booking.

What operators accept this Railcard？

All National Rail operators serving the London and South East area accept the Network Railcard, although some restrictions apply to services run by Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, LNER, Great Western Railway and Greater Anglia.

The Network Railcard doesn't work for Eurostar, London Underground or DLR services.

Other things to keep in mind

The discount only applies to Standard class tickets.

You can purchase your Network Railcard here.

Two Together Railcard restrictions

The Two Together Railcard is great if you're travelling with your partner, friend or business colleague. It's valid for two named adults aged 16 or over, costs £35 per year and saves you both a third off Standard and First Class tickets. You must be travelling together.

When you can travel？

Your Two Together Railcard is valid for any services departing after 9:30 am on Monday to Friday and anytime on weekends and bank holidays. You can't use the Two Together Railcard between 04:30 and 09:29 Monday to Friday.

Where you can travel？

The two of you are free to roam together anywhere on the Great Britain rail network.

Who can use this Railcard？

Both of you named on the Railcard must travel together for the entire journey. If one person leaves the journey early, both tickets become invalid. You need to buy the tickets together, too, and they usually need to be the same type of ticket.

Minimum fare

There's no general minimum fare. Anytime Day Travelcards added on to journeys into London have a £23.60 minimum.

What operators accept this Railcard？

All National Rail operators across Great Britain accept the Two Together Railcard.

Other things to keep in mind

The discount covers Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets.

You can purchase your Two Together Railcard here.

16-25 Railcard restrictions

The 16-25 Railcard costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years and saves you a third off tickets if you're aged 16-25 or a mature student in full-time education.

When you can travel？

You can use your 16-25 Railcard anytime on any day. You just need to be aware that there's usually a £12 minimum fare between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday. This means you'll only get the discount on fares above £12 during these times. There are some exceptions, though - see below.

Advance tickets are exempt from the £12 minimum at any time. The minimum also doesn't apply in July and August, or at weekends and on public holidays. Outside the 04:30-09:59 window, there's no minimum fare.

Where you can travel？

Your 16-25 Railcard works across the Great Britain rail network.

Who can use this Railcard？

You need to be aged 16-25 or a mature student in full-time education at any age. You can purchase a 1-year Railcard up until 1 day before your 26th birthday and continue using it until the date expires, even after your 26th birthday. For 3-year passes, you can buy up until 1 day before your 24th birthday.

If you're over 25 and in full-time education (at least 15 hours a week, 20 weeks a year), your college or uni will need to complete a section of the application form as proof of your status. Bear in mind that it's not valid for students of the Open University, distance learning or part-time courses

Minimum fare

The £12 minimum applies between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) except for Advance tickets and journeys in July and August. Anytime Day Travelcards added on to journeys into London have a £23.60 minimum.

What operators accept this Railcard？

All National Rail operators across Great Britain accept the 16-25 Railcard, including Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, Heathrow Express, PlusBus, Rail Rover and Caledonian Sleeper's Club Solo, Classic Solo and seated accommodation.

You can also load it onto your Oyster card for Off-Peak pay-as-you-go discounts.

Other things to keep in mind

The ticket is valid until the date it expires, not your 26th birthday.

You can purchase your 16-25 Railcard here.

26-30 Railcard restrictions

The 26-30 Railcard costs £35 per year and saves you a third off tickets if you're aged 26-30.

When you can travel？

You can use your 26-30 Railcard anytime on any day. The only thing to remember is that there's a £12 minimum fare between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) - you'll only get the discount on fares above £12 during these hours.

Where you can travel？

Your 26-30 Railcard works across Great Britain with no route restrictions.

Who can use this Railcard？

You need to be aged 26-30 to purchase this card. You can purchase it right up until 1 day before your 31st birthday, and it remains valid until the expiry date - even if you're 31 years old!

Minimum fare

The £12 minimum is applicable between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). This doesn't apply to Advance tickets. Anytime Day Travelcards added on to journeys into London have a £23.60 minimum.

What operators accept this Railcard？

All National Rail operators across Great Britain accept the 26-30 Railcard for Standard class travel. If you're travelling within London, you can load it onto your Oyster card for Off-Peak pay-as-you-go discounts, too. Note that it's not valid for Caledonian Sleeper services.

Other things to keep in mind

The 26-30 Railcard is digital only - you can't buy a physical card at stations - and there's no three-year option available.

You can purchase your 26-30 Railcard here.

Family and Friends Railcard restrictions

The Family & Friends Railcard is a popular option for family days out - for £35 per year (or £80 for three years), named adults save a third off tickets, while accompanying kids aged 5-15 get 60% off.

When you can travel？

You can use your Family & Friends Railcard anytime on any day outside of London and the South East. Within this area, the discount isn't valid during morning peak hours until 9:30 am Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. On weekends, you can use it anytime across the entire network.

Where you can travel？

Your Family & Friends Railcard works across the entire rail network in Great Britain. You'll just have to remember that you cannot travel during peak times on the London and South East Network area.

Who can use this Railcard？

Up to two named adults go on the card. Then, up to four adults and four children can travel together in one group as long as one named cardholder and one child aged 5-15 must be present. You don't need to be related.

If your only child is under 5, you still need to buy a discounted child ticket for them.

Minimum fare

There's no minimum fare for adults, but all child tickets have a £1 minimum at all times.

What operators accept this Railcard？

All National Rail operators across Great Britain accept the Family & Friends Railcard for Standard class travel. You can upgrade to First Class at weekends by paying a supplement.

Other things to keep in mind

Up to four adults can benefit from one card when travelling together. You can choose a physical or a digital card, too.

You can purchase your Family & Friends Railcard here.

16-17 Saver restrictions

The 16-17 Saver Railcard gets you 50% off ticket fares at anytime of day, all year round. There are no time restrictions whatsoever.

Where you can travel？

Your 16-17 Saver works on services in England and Wales with most National Rail operators.

Who can use this Railcard？

You need to be aged 16-17 and provide age verification when applying. Valid documents include a passport, a driving licence, a birth certificate or a PASS card. The card expires on your 18th birthday, or after one year, whichever comes first.

Minimum fare

There's no minimum fare.

What operators accept this Railcard?

Most National Rail operators in England and Wales accept the 16-17 Saver for Standard class travel. Note that the discount isn't valid for ScotRail, Caledonian Sleeper or Oyster pay-as-you-go.

Other things to keep in mind

This is the only Railcard that works on Season tickets - you can use it for weekly, monthly and annual passes.

You can purchase your 16-Saver Railcard here.

Tickets that don’t work with Railcards

Season tickets

Weekly, monthly, annual and Flexi Season Tickets don't work with any Railcards. The 16-17 Saver and Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card are the only exceptions.

International and special services

Your Railcard isn't valid for travel on Eurostar, Charter trains, heritage railways or other special excursion services.

Bus and coach connections

RailAir services don't accept Railcards, and coach and bus links are excluded. Combined bus and ferry tickets get reduced discounts or no discount at all. You'll need to check with the operator before booking.

London transport

Railcards generally aren't valid on the Underground or DLR. The Family & Friends, Two Together and Network Railcards can't be added to Oyster cards. Visitor Oyster cards don't support any Railcards.

Other exclusions

You may not be able to get a Railcard discount with other offers, though 2FOR1 Days Out tickets are allowed. For Caledonian Express, the Sleeper berth supplements are excluded from the discount, but you'll still get a third off the rail portion of the ticket.

Anytime Day Travelcards added on to journeys into London have a £23.60 minimum fare across all Railcards.

What does work with Railcards?

PlusBus tickets work with most Railcards, and most Rail Rover fares qualify too. Standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Advance tickets generally work, subject to each card's specific restrictions.

For travel within London, 16-25, 26-30, Senior and Disabled Persons Railcards can be loaded onto Oyster cards. This will get you a third off Off-Peak pay-as-you-go travel, plus discounted Off-Peak Day Travelcards.

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