Train travel across the UK is a popular mode of transport for multiple reasons. Whether it’s for days out, commuting to work, visiting a place of study, or visiting relatives, the rail network allows for trips up and down the country that are both environmentally friendly and time-efficient.
Where our rail network arguably lets us down, however, is the prices that we have to pay to use the service. Indeed, following updates by the UK Gov and reporting by the BBC and The Guardian, as of March 2, 2025, train fares in England and Wales have increased by an average of 4.6%, including Railcards. This rise is actually 1% higher than the inflation rate recorded in July 2024, which was 3.6%. It's only the second time since 2013 that train fares have gone up faster than inflation. In Wales, the government followed suit with the 4.6% cap on regulated fares. But Transport for Wales took a slightly different approach, adjusting the prices of certain ticket types by different amounts, with anytime single fares only rising by 3%. So, do Railcards still save you money?
You may have seen our blog post on How to Get Cheaper Train Tickets (and if you haven’t, it’s certainly worth a read!), in which we mention how Railcards are a great way to get your hands on discounted rail travel. In this article, we’ll talk you through the different card types available, how much you could stand to save and how you can get your hands on one.
What are the different Railcard types?
A wide selection of Railcard types is available, all designed to suit various age ranges and physical abilities. As a rough rule of thumb, once acquired, they’ll offer you ⅓ off future rail travel (although there are several caveats here, which we’ll explain in our breakdown of the different cards below).
16-17 Saver
For an upfront cost of £35 for the year, all young people aged 16-17 can save 50% on train tickets! This discount is valid for standard Anytime, Off-Peak, or Advance tickets and can also be redeemed on season tickets. It’s valid for one year or until you turn 18, whichever happens first.
16-25 Railcard
Ideal for students and young professionals, the 16-25 Railcard offers a ⅓ off train tickets. This particular card comes with two purchasing options: a one-year Railcard for £35 or a three-year Railcard for £80 (which, although costing more upfront, would save you more money in the long run). It’s handy to remember that you can purchase the 3-year option right up until your 24th birthday, meaning it won’t expire until you’re almost 27. These cards are valid on most ticket types, although they require a minimum spend of £12.00 on morning peak tickets (4:30 AM and 10:00 AM, Monday to Friday).
26-30 Railcard
This Railcard is available in digital form only and will save you ⅓ off train tickets for a cost of £35 per year. As with the 16-25 option, you’ll need to spend a minimum of £12.00 on morning peak tickets to be able to get a discount. The 26-30 Railcard can also be used in conjunction with a registered Oyster card for use on the London Underground.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Disabled Persons Railcard
For those who meet the eligibility criteria (a full breakdown of which can be found on Railcard's 'Are You Eligible' webpage), you can get a ⅓ off the cost of train travel, with Railcards starting from as little as £20.00 for a year. Like the 16-25 Railcard, there is also a 3-year option, providing even further savings as it only costs £54.00. Moreover, these discounts are also available for an adult companion while you hold a valid card.
Family & Friends Railcard
This Railcard can earn ⅓ off adult fares (up to four adults per card) and a whopping 60% off for four children aged 5-15! Available for one or three years (costing £35 or £80 respectively), this Railcard is only valid during Off-Peak times but can be used anytime during weekends and Public Holidays.
Network Railcard
Designed to serve passengers in South East England, this Railcard is available for adults of any age and covers up to three other adults and four children. It’s only £35 for the year and provides a ⅓ off train ticket prices throughout the designated area. These Railcards can only be used after 10 am Monday to Friday, where a minimum spend of £13.00 applies.
Senior Railcard
Aimed at anyone aged 60 or over, the Senior Railcard provides a ⅓ off on all Off-Peak journeys for a cost of £35. It is also available as a three-year card, which costs £80. It’s worth noting that if you’re planning to buy online, you can get your hands on a Senior Railcard up to 14 days before your 60th birthday.
Two Together Railcard
For an upfront cost of £35 (per year), this option provides a ⅓ off rail ticketing prices for you and someone you travel regularly with. As you share with someone else, it costs just £15 per year, considerably cheaper than any other Railcard currently available.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Veterans Railcard
These Railcards are specifically for any UK Veteran who has served at least one day in the Armed Forces. Offering ⅓ rail fares, the cardholder can also purchase discounted tickets for one other person and up to four children! The card costs £35 for a year or £80 for three years. Travel is permitted anytime, although a minimum spend of £12.00 is required for peak times, Monday to Friday.
How much do I actually save?
As outlined above, Railcards will typically provide ⅓ off train ticket prices (although some exceptions include the 16-17 Saver and the Disabled Persons Railcard). But how do these savings look in real terms? Below, we’ve highlighted some example savings that could be made when using the 16-25 Railcard.
Selecting a same-day standard single journey from Penzance to London Paddington (at the time of writing) costs £86.70. If you have a 16-25 Railcard, which will save you a ⅓ on fares, the price drops to £57.70, saving £29. As the upfront cost of the Railcard is £35.00, it’s almost paid for itself after only one journey! This card remains valid for one whole year (unless you purchased the three-year option), meaning any discounts on future journeys will result in direct savings.
Another example is a single trip from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads (at the time of writing). Without a 16-25 Railcard, the cost of this ticket would be £17.70, but with ⅓ off, it costs just £11.75. A saving of £5.95 per booking. As this route is popular with commuters, it shouldn’t take too long to save!
Where can I buy a Railcard?
The best place to pick up a Railcard is by visiting the Railcard website. Here, you can search for the card that best suits your circumstances and you’ll also find all the help you might need in terms of how to download your card digitally, what restrictions may be in place on your card and when you’ll need to renew it.
It’s also worth pointing out that certain cards come with extra perks, such as partner discounts and savings. For example, by selecting the Two Together Railcard, you can unlock additional benefits such as free gym passes, discounted stays at a range of holiday parks and reduced theatre tickets!
Railcard occasionally runs sales and offers on their cards, so be sure to check out our Railcard discount code page to see if there are any extra savings to be made.
Prices were correct at time of writing When you click on one of our links to our discount code page or a retailer page, we may receive a small commission if you purchase something from the retailer's website. Here's how it works.
Hi, I’m Jack; a Senior Copywriter on the vouchers team at Future PLC. Since joining in 2022, I’ve been crafting my money-saving skills in several areas, including tech, entertainment, sports, fitness, home and travel. You’ll usually find me here at MyVoucherCodes; updating users with money-saving hints, tips, discounts, and offers for hundreds of popular retailers. I can also be found on one of our other sites, TechRadar.
A former sports journalist and content creator, I decided to swap the press box for a permanent desk several years ago. Despite giving match reports the red card, I still enjoy attending live sporting events and I like to wind down by playing video games, visiting new places, and getting my head stuck into a good book.
