We'll find the right digital Railcard for you

Official retailer of Railcards by National Rail. Buy a digital Railcard online with us - it's stored directly in the Trainline app, so you can use it right away to get 1/3 off eligible journeys for a whole year. Save an average of £167 a year with a Railcard*.

16-25 Railcard icon
Senior Railcard icon
26-30 Railcard icon
Two Together Railcard icon
Family & Friends Railcard icon
Network Railcard icon
16-17 Saver icon

How to buy a digital Railcard online with us

We're here to help make your next digital Railcard purchase as easy as possible.

Renew your digital Railcard

Is it time to renew your Railcard? Why not renew it with us – ​just log into your Trainline account and follow our easy steps to get started.

Renew your Railcard

What our customers say about digital Railcards

Read what our customers have been saying on Trustpilot about Railcards. Got something to say? Leave your feedback on Trustpilot. To find out more about how we collect reviews please visit our customer support page.

Why should you get a digital Railcard?

Railcard savings add up

Get 1/3 off the price of your train tickets by adding your Railcard discount to your booking. After a few journeys, your digital Railcard could have paid for itself!

There are lots to choose from

Whether you travel regularly with family, partners or friends, or you fit into a specific age group or region, there's a Railcard discount for you.

Railcards and tickets in one place

Digital Railcards live alongside your tickets in our app. Use your digital Railcard on tickets bought anywhere (not just with us).

What is a Railcard?

A Railcard is a discount card that allows you to save up to 1/3 off the price of eligible train tickets, making it a great way to secure cheap fares.

Railcard types 

There are nine main types of UK Railcards available. These are:

  • Network Railcard
  • 16-17 Saver
  • 16-25 Railcard
  • 26-30 Railcard
  • Family & Friends Railcard
  • Two Together Railcard
  • Senior Railcard
  • Disabled Persons Railcard
  • Veterans Railcard

As an official retailer of Railcards from National Rail, you can buy seven of these in a digital format with us.

Please note that the Disabled Persons Railcard and Veterans Railcard are not available to buy with us. We are currently working on the ability to verify eligibility.

How much is a Railcard?

All new Railcards cost £30 for the whole year, except for the Disabled Persons Railcard, which costs just £20. Once you have a Railcard, you can get 1/3 off the price of your rail travel, making it a great way to secure cheap fares. Some Railcards are also available as a three-year option for £70, giving you even greater value for money (therefore costing around £23 per year).

When can I use a Railcard?

Again, this depends on the type of Railcard you have. Generally, all Railcards can be used for discounted train fares during Off-Peak times, weekends, and public holidays. Some, like the age-related Railcards, can be used during Peak times with a minimum fare, and the Disabled Persons Railcard can be used at any time.

Which tickets can you save money on?

It varies depending on the type of Railcard you have, as some are valid for use during Peak times, but generally, as a Railcard holder you can save money on Advance tickets, Off-Peak, Standard, and First Class tickets.

Railcard prices

TypeDiscount1-year Railcard price3-year Railcard price
Network Railcard1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' fares in London and the South East of England£30Not available
16-17 Saver50% off adult rail fares£30Not available
16-25 Railcard1/3 off rail fares£30£70
(Save £20‡)
26-30 Railcard1/3 off rail fares£30Not available
Family & Friends Railcard1/3 off adult fares and 60% kids' fares£30£70
(Save £20‡)
Two Together Railcard1/3 off adult fares for two named people travelling together£30Not available
Senior Railcard1/3 off adult rail fares£30£70
(Save £20‡)
Disabled Persons Railcard1/3 off rail fares for you and the person travelling with you£20£54
(Save £6‡)
Veterans Railcard1/3 off rail fares for you and a named companion and 60% off kids' fares£30£70
(Save £20‡)

‡ Savings based on the full price of three 1-year Railcards over a three year period

How to buy and use your digital Railcard

You'll need to have iOS 15.0 and above or Lollipop on Android to get your digital Railcard on your phone. Don’t have our app yet? Download it now and follow these easy steps to buy your Railcard today with us.

1

Tap 'Buy 1-year for £30' or 'Buy 3-year for £70' (if applicable) to get the Railcard you want on your phone

2

Enter your first and last name (and date of birth if you need to prove your age)

3

Upload a digital passport-style photo for your Railcard from your phone

4

Sign in to your Trainline account on the app and buy your digital Railcard

5

You’ll find your new Railcard under 'Railcards' in the Account tab of the app. Please make sure you're signed into the app with the same account you used to buy your Railcard

6

Enter your departure and arrival station, select the start date of your ticket and the number of people travelling, then select your new Railcard from the drop-down menu – the 1/3 savings will be applied automatically to your booking.

Which is the right Railcard for you?

Each Railcard offers a similar discount – 1/3 off the price of an adult fare, as well as some great discounts for children too. Choosing the right one for you depends on things like your age, where you live, and how you like to travel.

Railcards by age

Age-based Railcards are great for students, young professionals and seniors. Don't fall into these age brackets? Choose one from the other Railcard options – by group or by region – below.

16-25
Railcard

For ages 16-25
Get 1/3 off train travel across Great Britain. Minimum fare applies

Great for:
Teenagers, students, graduates, and young professionals

1- or 3-year validity available
Save £20 with a 3-year Railcard

Digital only
Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them on any of your compatible devices. No download codes are needed!

Renew in minutes
Sign into your Trainline app and you'll renew your 16-25 Railcard in no time!

You must be aged 16-23 to buy the 3-year Railcard

26-30
Railcard

1 year
£30

For ages 26-30
Get 1/3 off train travel across Great Britain. Minimum fare applies

Great for:
Millennials, graduates, and young professionals

Digital only
Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them on any of your compatible devices. No download codes are needed!

Renew in minutes
Sign into your Trainline app and you'll renew your 26-30 Railcard in no time!

Senior
Railcard

For ages 60+
Get 1/3 off train travel across Great Britain. Conditions apply

Great for:
Seniors, grandparents, and retirees

1- or 3-year validity available
Save £20 with a 3-year Railcard

Digital only
Your digital Railcard lives on your phone in the account section of the Trainline app. Because it's digital only, you won't need a paper copy of it to use your discount! You can use your Railcard on any of your compatible devices. No download codes are needed.

Renew in minutes
Sign into your Trainline app and you'll renew your Senior Railcard in no time!

16-17
Saver

For ages 16-17
Passengers get 50% discount on most tickets, including Season tickets

Great for:
School and college students

Digital only
Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them on any of your compatible devices. No download codes are needed!

Railcards by group

Group-based Railcards are great for friends, couples and family members. You don't need to be related or in a relationship to use them. They're a good option for anyone aged 31-59 who doesn't qualify for an age-based Railcard and also offer discounts on child fares.

Two Together
Railcard

1 year
£30

Must travel together
1/3 off train travel for you and a friend/companion when travelling together. Conditions apply

For ages 16+

Great for:
Friends, couples, flatmates, or colleagues who regularly travel together

Digital only
Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them on any of your compatible devices. No download codes are needed!

Renew in minutes
Sign into your Trainline app and you'll renew your Two Together Railcard in no time!

Family & Friends
Railcard

For up to four adults and four children (5-15 years old)
Adults get 1/3 off, children get a 60% discount. At least 1 adult and 1 child must travel together. Conditions apply

Great for:
Anyone who travels in groups with children – no relation necessary

1- or 3-year validity available
Save £20 with a 3-year Railcard

Digital only
Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them on any of your compatible devices. No download codes are needed!

Renew in minutes
Sign into your Trainline app and you'll renew your Family & Friends Railcard in no time!

Railcards by region

Region-based Railcards apply to specific areas in Britain. Currently, only the Network Railcard is offered as a digital Railcard. It lets you explore the Network Railcard area 16 counties across the South East, including London for 1/3 less.

Network
Railcard

1 year
£30

For travellers in the South-East of England
Get 1/3 off travel after 10:00 am (and any time on weekends and public holidays). Applies only to journeys starting and ending in the South-East Network Railcard zone.

For up to four adults and four children aged 5-15
Children get 60% off

Great for:
Commuters and Londoners

Digital only
Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them on any of your compatible devices. No download codes are needed!

Renew in minutes
Sign into your Trainline app and you'll renew your Network Railcard in no time!

Other Railcards

Disabled Persons
Railcard

1 year
£20

Save 1/3 on all train travel
Travelling with another adult? They will also get 1/3 off their rail fare

Great for:
People with a disability that makes travelling by train difficult. Proof of eligibility applies

Not available to buy with Trainline. We are currently working on the ability to verify eligibility. In the meantime, to buy a Disabled Persons Railcard, you can apply online here.

Veterans
Railcard

Save 1/3 on all train travel
Travelling with another person? A named adult will also get 1/3 off their rail fare, with 60% of child fares for up to 4 children

1- or 3-year validity available
Save £20 with a 3-year Railcard

Great for:
UK Veterans and Merchant Mariners. Proof of eligibility applies

Not available to buy with Trainline. We are currently working on the ability to verify eligibility. In the meantime, to buy a Veterans Railcard, you can apply online here.

Get more for your money with a 3-year Railcard

You can enjoy even better savings if you opt for a 3-year Railcard, especially if you plan to do a lot of travelling over the next 3 years. Plus, you won’t have to worry about renewing your Railcard every year after it expires.

The 16-25, Senior, Family & Friends and Veterans Railcards are available as a three-year option for £70, meaning you can save £20 on the cost of three individual Railcards. The Disabled Persons Railcard also has a three-year option but it’s cheaper and costs just £54.

 

What is a digital Railcard?

Digital Railcards are stored within the Trainline app on your smartphone or tablet, meaning there's no need to carry the physical card around with you. They can be stored on any compatible device you travel with – there’s no limit on the number of devices you can have your digital Railcard on – and they can be used quicker than paper Railcards as they do not need to be sent in the post.

The minimum Operating System (OS) your Railcard would be available on is iOS 15.0 and above or Lollipop on Android. There are no device limits or download codes needed.

How do I get a digital Railcard?

Digital Railcards can be bought online only – use our Railcard recommender at the top of the page to find the best type of Railcard that suits your needs. Once you have chosen your Railcard, simply tap the ‘Buy’ button and follow the instructions on the screen to get your digital Railcard.

How long does it take to get a digital Railcard?

Your digital Railcard will automatically appear in your app straight after you have bought it. All you need to do is sign into your app to view your Railcard. 

How do I use a digital Railcard?

Once you’ve bought a digital Railcard online with us, follow these easy steps to use it:

  1. When searching for tickets on our website or in our app, tap ‘add a Railcard’ and scroll down to select the type of Railcard you’ve bought from the list
  2. We'll automatically apply your Railcard savings and show you the discounted price
  3. Book your train tickets as a digital ticket, or to be collected at the station
  4. Bring the device your digital Railcard and train tickets are stored on to show to a ticket inspector if asked.

Why a digital Railcard?

Never forget your Railcard again. With the Trainline app, your tickets and Railcards are all in one place. No more switching between apps or digging around for your paper Railcard. There's no need to queue at the ticket office of your local station to purchase one either, simply follow the steps in our app.

 

Railcards secure
on all your devices

Digital Railcards are added to your Trainline account, so you can access them on any compatible device you travel with. Please be aware that the minimum Operating System (OS) your Railcard would be available on is iOS 15.0 and above or Lollipop on Android. There are no device limits or download codes needed.

Stress-free travel

With Trainline, you know you have everything you need to travel. See the ticket inspector coming? Don't stress, your digital Railcard is right where it needs to be, one tap from your ticket**.​ Sound good? If the expiry date on your current Railcard is coming up, why not renew your Railcard with us and start enjoying stress-free train travel today.

Frequently asked questions

Buying a Railcard

Getting a digital Railcard

Using a Railcard

I save 1/3 on my train tickets with my 26-30 Digital Railcard

From September, I've been commuting from Chelmsford three times a week since the office opened. Having that in mind during summer, I knew that I had to find a way to save on my travel expenses. The easiest way to do that was to buy the one-year 26-30 digital Railcard.

The last two months I have saved 1/3 out of every train journey I took. Also, I forgot to mention that because I love English nature, I always find time to travel somewhere with my friends and family during the weekends. With that in mind, I think getting a digital railcard was a very smart idea for me and my wallet.

Last but certainly not least for me is that having a digital railcard is very useful as I am not going to forget it, since it is always with me!

About Menelaos

Menelaos is one of our trusted, hand-picked travel writers. The information for this article was recorded first-hand, based on his own genuine experience of the journey.

Where will your Railcard discount take you?

Planning your next train journey but not sure where to go? Our travel hub is full of inspirational days out you can take by train using your Railcard. Take full advantage of getting 1/3 off rail travel and enjoy exploring the UK!

*Average saving over 12 months of customers with Railcards purchased on Trainline from March 2021 - September 2021, excluding price of Railcard

**Applies to tickets in the Trainline app only.

§Applies to selected train fares. See Trainline's Railcard terms for full details of each Railcard, eligible tickets and travel times.