Updated 17 September 2026

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UK Railcards Explained: Which Railcard Is Right for You?

What is a Railcard?

If you spend more than £100 a year on rail travel (or in some cases, less), owning a railcard can offer some potentially significant savings. Most railcards cost £35 and offer 1/3 off rail travel. That means you’ll typically break even after spending around £105 annually.

There are currently a multitude of different railcards available in Britain, offering ⅓ off most adult travel, with some offering higher discounts for children.

What types of Railcard are available in the UK?

Railcard	Who is it for?	Discount	Annual cost
16-17 Saver	Age 16–17	50%	£35
16-25 Railcard	Age 16–25 / eligible mature students	1/3	£35
26-30 Railcard	Age 26–30	1/3	£35
Senior Railcard	Age 60+	1/3	£35
Two Together	Two named people travelling together	1/3	£35
Family & Friends	Adults travelling with children	1/3 adults / 60% children	£35
Disabled Persons	Eligible disabled travellers	1/3 holder + companion	£20
Network Railcard	Travel in London & South East	1/3	£35
Veterans Railcard	Former members of the UK Armed Forces	1/3	£35

Which Railcard can I get?

Many people will qualify for at least one Railcard, and some travellers may have several options. Your age is one way to qualify, but there are also Railcards for people travelling as a couple or family, disabled passengers, veterans and those travelling in London and the South East.

Which Railcard is right for me?

With several different Railcards available, working out which ones you’re eligible for isn’t always obvious. We’ve created this decision tree to help narrow down your options.

UK Railcards Explained

Here are the main criteria and restrictions of each of the main Railcards, although check the most up-to-date details before committing.

16-17 Saver

Available to everyone aged 16–17. 50% off virtually all fares (including season tickets) for £35 a year. Excludes first class tickets, travel on Scotrail and travel on the London underground (except when purchased as part of a ticket from outside London)

16-25 Railcard

If you are aged 16-25, or a mature student, you can get this railcard. You get 1/3 off fares but a minimum fare of £12 applies if travelling before 10am, Monday to Friday. It costs £35 a year or £80 for 3 years, although can be extended slightly by purchasing or renewing before the holder reaches 25 years of age. Mature students must be in full-time education and require a special form to be signed by their college or university. Excludes season tickets and first class tickets not purchased in advance .

26-30 Railcard

For those aged 26–30 – they get 1/3 of most fares for an annual fee of £35. A minimum fare of £12 applies if travelling before 10am, Monday to Friday. Excludes season tickets and first class tickets not purchased in advance .

Senior Railcard

Those aged 60 and over can get a Senior Railcard for 12 months for £35 or 3 years for £80. This card is not valid on weekday morning peak services in London & the South East. Requires a valid UK Driving Licence, Passport or EEA national Identity card as proof of age.

Two Together Railcard

Two named people travelling together can both get 1/3 off travel for £35. Both people must travel together to get the discount and names cannot be changed after the railcard is issued. Valid from 9:30am on weekdays and anytime at weekends and bank holidays. Excludes season tickets and Oyster pay as you go fares in London.

Family & Friends Railcard

For £35 a year or £80 for 3 years, up to 2 named adults (1/3 off each) and up to 4 children (60% off each) can get discounted travel. One of the named adults and at least one child must travel together to be eligible oe the discount. Excludes travel during morning peak in London and the South East, first class tickets, season tickets and most travel on the London Underground.

Disabled Persons Railcard

Eligible disabled travellers and their adult companions can get 1/3 off tickets each. Cost is £20 a year or £54 for 3 years. Proof of eligibility must be provided. Excludes child tickets and season tickets.

Network Railcard

Get 1/3 off travel in the London & South East Network Railcard area (which is pretty extensive) for £35 a year. Weekday journeys must start after 9:30 am and £13 minimum fare applies Monday to Friday. Excludes advance tickets, Oyster pay as you go, first class tickets, season tickets and most travel on the London Undeground.

Veterans Railcard

Former members of the UK Armed Forces can get 1/3 off travel for themselves, one adult companion and up to four children for £35 a year (or £80 for 3 years). Proof of service must be provided. A minimum fare of £12 applies if travelling before 10am on a weekday. Excludes season tickets.

Other Railcards and discounts

HM Forces Railcard

If you are a serving member of the Armed Forces (or spouse or dependent child of a serving member), the HM Forces Railcard costs £21 and can be obtained through your Uni HR admin staff.

Annual Gold Card

Annual Season Ticket or Travelcard Holders in London and the South East of England also qualify for an Annual Gold Card for 1/3 off travel for up to 4 adults and 4 children travelling together in the Gold Card area (which is actually a huge part of the country covering not just the South East but also adjoining places such as the West Midlands and East Anglia).

Regional Railcards

There are also some regional railcards for the Cambrian, Cambridgeshire (students), Cotswold, Settle & Carlisle, Devon & Cornwall, Esk Valley, Heart of Wales, Highlands, Pembrokeshire and South Wales Valleys areas. Some are restricted only to residents of certain postcodes but all the details are here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Railcard cost?

All national railcards cost £35 for one year, with the exception of the Disabled Persons Railcard which is £20 a year (or £54 for 3 years). 16-25 Railcards, Family & Friends Railcards, Senior Railcards and Veterans Railcards can also be purchased for 3 years at a cost of £80.

When can I use a Railcard?

Apart from the Disabled Persons Railcard, there are typically restrictions in place regarding travelling at peak morning times (ie valid only on trains after 10am or must be a minimum fare of £12 before 10am) so check the Ts&Cs before you buy.

Can I get a digital Railcard?

Yes. The main National Railcards are available digitally and can be stored in the Railcard app on your phone or tablet. Physical Railcards are also available. Digital Railcards can be stored on up to two devices.

Can I use my Railcard with Split Tickets?

Yes you can. Read more about Split Ticketing here.

Our Take

For most people, buying a railcard is one of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of train travel. With most railcards costing £35 and offering one-third off fares, you will usually recover the cost after spending only £105 on tickets each year. If you are travelling as a daily or a couple, the Family or Two Together railcards can pay for themselves with a single trip.

Whether you’re a student or young person, retiree, veteran or regular leisure traveller, there is a good chance that at least one railcard could save you money. Spend a few minutes checking your eligibility before booking your next journey and the savings can quickly add up.

If you’re a frequent rail user, don’t forget to look beyond the standard national railcards too. Regional railcards, HM Forces Railcards and Annual Gold Cards can sometimes offer even better value depending on where you live and travel.

Railcards can be purchased from the official National Rail retail site here, through the major train ticket apps or from your local staffed station ticket office.

UK Railcards Explained: Which Railcard Is Right for You?

What is a Railcard?

What types of Railcard are available in the UK?