Railcard terms of use

Last updated: 20 Oct, 2020

 

Railcard ticket types:

  1. Family & Friends Railcard
  2. Network Railcard
  3. Two Together Railcard
  4. 16-25 Railcard
  5. 26-30 Railcard
  6. Senior Railcard
  7. 16-17 Saver

 


 

1. Family & Friends Railcard

When can I use my Railcard?

Your Family & Friends Railcard gets you 1/3 off Standard Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance adult fares, and 60% off for kids’ fares too. And because there’s no limit to the number of times you can use your Railcard, the potential for family adventures is huge.

Save on these types of tickets:

Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns

Standard Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard Advance (must be booked before you travel)

Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express

Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside the London Zones area (subject to minimum fare of £19.10)

Caledonian Sleeper - discounts apply on seated tickets only

PLUSBUS tickets

Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to Republic of Ireland*

*Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

 

Time Restrictions:

Your Family & Friends Railcard is NOT valid when travelling between two stations inside London and the South East area during morning peak time.

Morning off-peak services vary by route, so it's a good idea to check before buying your tickets.

Morning peak time restriction does NOT apply on public holidays.

 

Sorry, your Family & Friends Railcard won't be valid on:

First Class travel, except when using a First Class Upgrade at weekends (subject to availability) upon payment of the appropriate supplement

Season tickets including Travelcard Season tickets

Some Train Company-specific promotional offers, including GroupSave

Eurostar tickets

Tickets for special excursion or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including Railair services

Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets


 

2. Network Railcard

Discounts on tickets

Your Network Railcard gets you up to 1/3 off the following range of ticket types and because there’s no limit to the number of times you can use your Railcard, the potential for savings is huge.

Network Railcard discounts apply to:

Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns

Standard Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your ticket to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to minimum fare of £19.10)

PLUSBUS tickets – for bus travel to and from the station (and around town)

Discounts on some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, and Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport*

*Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

Please note:

  • You can buy Network Railcard discounted tickets for travel any time on weekends and public holidays or from 10.00 Monday to Friday. From some stations you may be able to start your trip a little earlier.
  • Minimum fares of £13 apply for all journeys Monday to Friday.
  • Minimum fares and child supplement fares also apply for journeys to the Isle of Wight - check for details at your local staffed station before planning your journey.
  • Some ticket types may have conditions or restrictions that apply, such as time restrictions for travel to/from central London. You will be advised of these conditions or restrictions at the time of purchase.
  • If you travel outside the Network Railcard area you can only use the Network Railcard to the boundary and will have to buy full price tickets for the journey outside the area. You must purchase these tickets before you cross the boundary and the train you are travelling on must stop at the boundary station.

Remember, not every ticket type is available for every journey that you might want to make, so it’s always best to check before booking. And be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard.

 

Your Network Railcard WON'T apply to:

Season tickets, including Travelcard Season tickets

Advance tickets

First Class tickets

Journeys where the origin and/or destination is outside the Network Railcard area

Oyster pay as you go

Eurostar tickets

Special excursions or charter trains

Tickets for journeys wholly on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway 

Bus links, including those to airports e.g. Railair Links

Port-to-port only tickets on Wightlink, Red Funnel (ferries or ‘Red Jet’) or Hovertravel services

Some train company special offers and promotional tickets (see offer or ticket terms & conditions details)

Train companies  that accept the Network Railcard discount: 

Avanti West Coast; c2c; Chiltern Railways†; CrossCountry † East Midlands Railway; Gatwick Express; Great Northern;  Great Western Railway ††; Greater Anglia†; Heathrow Express; London Northwestern Railway †; London North Eastern Railway; London Overground; Southeastern; Southern; South Western Railway; Stansted Express; TfL Rail; Thameslink

† Some restrictions apply on services provided by these train companies.
†† Some restrictions apply on services provided by Great Western Railway. Network Railcard discounts are not available on tickets routed Evesham/Stroud.


 

3. Two Together Railcard

Travel times & tickets

Get 1/3 off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares when you travel together after 0930 Monday to Friday*, or anytime at weekends and public holidays with your Two Together Railcard.  

Save on these types of tickets

Standard and First Class
  • Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns
  • Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
  • Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
  • Advance**
Rover and Ranger Tickets
  • All Line Rail Rover
  • Most Rover and Ranger tickets - please check with your local staffed station
Caledonian Sleeper Tickets

Discounts apply on seated tickets only.

Around London
  • Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express
  • Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of ticket to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (Subject to minimum fare of £19.10)
Onward Travel
  • PLUSBUS Day tickets - visit plusbus.info for more details
  • Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to Republic of Ireland***

* If a train is scheduled to depart at 0930 a Two Together Railcard discounted ticket will be valid.

**These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

Remember, some tickets are subject to availability, time or restrictions - so it's always best to check before booking and be sure to read the full terms and conditions of your Railcard.

Your Two Together Railcard discount WON'T apply to:

  • Season tickets, including Travelcard Season tickets
  • Oyster pay as you go fares in London
  • Eurostar tickets
  • Tickets for special excursions or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including Railair services
  • Rail/sea journeys to Calais, Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
  • Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets
  • Most Train Company, Community Rail Partnership and Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) specific tickets

***Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.


 

4. 16-25 Railcard

When can I use my Railcard?

Your 16-25 Railcard gets you 1/3 off Standard Anytime and Off-Peak fares, as well as Standard Advance and First Class Advance fares. And because there’s no limit to the number of times you can use your Railcard, the potential for adventure is huge.

Save on these types of tickets

Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns

Standard Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard and First Class Advance*

Most Rail Rovers fares

Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express

Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go Daily Price Cap and Off-Peak pay as you go single fares for journeys on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway

Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside the London Zones area (subject to minimum fare of £19.10)

Caledonian Sleeper: discount on Club Solo or Classic Solo rooms and seated products

PLUSBUS tickets

Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to Republic of Ireland**

*These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

** Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

Minimum Fares & Time Restrictions

A £12 minimum fare applies for journeys starting between 4.30am-10am Monday to Friday excluding Advance Fares. This minimum fare does not apply on Public Holidays or throughout July and August.

Journeys that commence at 10:00 will receive the Railcard discount

If you travel regularly between 04:30 and 10:00 Monday to Friday, to work or your place of study for instance, a Weekly or Monthly Season ticket could be the best way for you to save money. Railcards do not give discounts on Season tickets.

The £12 minimum fare DOES NOT apply at weekends, on Public Holidays and during July and August. For full details of minimum fares, please ask at your local staffed station and some National Rail-licensed Travel Agents.

Remember, not every ticket type is available for every journey that you might want to make, so it’s always best to check before booking. And be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard.

Your 16-25 Railcard WON'T apply to:

Season tickets including Travelcard Season tickets

Eurostar tickets

First Class fares (except First Class Advance and Weekend First for some train companies, as mentioned above)

Some Train Company-specific promotional offers

Tickets for special excursion or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including Railair services

Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets (unless using Oyster pay as you go)

 


5. 26-30 Railcard

Where and when can I use my Railcard?

Your 26-30 Railcard gets you 1/3 off most off-peak rail fares to travel across Great Britain. There are tickets, time restrictions and minimum fares, so check below to help you plan:

Save on these types of tickets

Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns

Standard Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard and First Class Advance*

Most Rail Rovers fares

Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express

Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go Daily Price Cap and Off-Peak pay as you go single fares for journeys on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway

Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside the London Zones area (Subject to minimum fare of £19.10)

PLUSBUS tickets

Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to Republic of Ireland**

 

*These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

**Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

Minimum Fares & Time Restrictions

A £12 minimum fare applies on all journeys made between 04:30 and 10:00 Monday to Friday

Journeys that commence at 10:00 will receive the Railcard discount

If you travel regularly between 04:30 and 10:00 Monday to Friday, to work or your place of study for instance, a Weekly or Monthly Season ticket could be the best way for you to save money. Railcards do not give discounts on Season tickets.

The £12 minimum fare DOES NOT apply at weekends and on Public Holidays.

For full details of minimum fares, please ask at your local staffed station and some National Rail-licensed Travel Agents.


Remember, not every ticket type is available for every journey that you might want to make, so it’s always best to check before booking. And be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard.

Your 26-30 Railcard WON'T apply to:

Caledonian Sleeper tickets for travel in Sleeper or Seated accommodation with a route Caledonian Sleeper only

Season tickets including Travelcard Season tickets

Eurostar tickets

First Class fares (except First Class Advance and Weekend First for some train companies, as mentioned above)

Some Train Company-specific promotional offers

Tickets for special excursion or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including Railair services

Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets (unless using Oyster pay as you go)

 


6. Senior Railcard

When can I use my Railcard?

Your Senior Railcard gets you 1/3 off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares. And because there’s no limit to the number of times you can use your Railcard, the potential for adventure is huge.

Save on these types of tickets:

Standard and First Class Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns

Standard and First Class Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard and First Class Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard and First Class Advance*

Caledonian Sleeper: discount on Club Solo or Classic Solo rooms and seated products

Most Rail Rovers tickets

Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express

Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go Daily Price Cap and Off-Peak pay as you go single fares for journeys on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway - find out more about Railcard discounts with Oyster

Some ticket types offered by individual train companies – please enquire locally for details

Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside London (Subject to minimum fare of £19.10)

Through tickets for travel on the Railair link between Reading and Heathrow Airport

PlusBus - unlimited bus travel at your origin / destination station on participating operators - visit PlusBus website or your local staffed station for further details

Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to Republic of Ireland*

* These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

** Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

Time Restrictions:

Your Senior  Railcard is NOT valid when travelling between two stations inside London and the South East area during morning peak time.

Morning off-peak services vary by route, so it's a good idea to check before buying your tickets.

Morning peak time restriction does NOT apply on public holidays.

You can also buy tickets for these services Mondays to Fridays:

WORCESTER TO OXFORD/LONDON PADDINGTON ROUTE FIRST GREAT WESTERN

Worcester Foregate Street dep 0737

Worcester Shrub Hill dep 0742

Pershore dep 0751

Evesham dep 0800

Honeybourne dep 0807

Moreton in Marsh dep 0819

Kingham dep 0828

Charlbury dep 0838

 

FIRST GREAT WESTERN SERVICE

Shipton dep 0746

Ascott-u-Wychwood dep 0748

Finstock dep 0756

Combe (Oxon) dep 0800

Hanborough dep 0803

We're sorry but your Senior Railcard discount won't apply to:

Season tickets including Travelcard Season tickets

Eurostar tickets

Some Train Company specific promotional offers

Tickets for special excursions or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including Railair services

Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets (unless using Oyster pay as you go)

 


 

7. 16-17 Saver

When can I use my 16-17 Saver?

Your 16-17 Saver gets you 50% off Standard Anytime and Off-Peak fares, as well as Standard Advance fares and Season Tickets (except for Travelcards valid wholly within London Zones 1-9). And because there’s no limit to the number of times you can use your 16-17 Saver, the potential for adventure is huge.

Save on these types of tickets
Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns
Standard Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
Standard Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
Standard Advance*
Standard Season tickets (except for Travelcard Season tickets valid wholly within London Zones 1-9)
Some Rail Rover fares
Gatwick Express and Stansted Express Standard tickets
Heathrow Express Advance tickets
Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside the London Zones area
PLUSBUS One Day tickets**

*These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

** Please note that for these tickets a 34% discount will be applied if you make use of your 16-17 Saver rather than 50%.

Minimum Fares & Time Restrictions

No minimum fares or time restrictions apply at any time.

Remember, not every ticket type is available for every journey that you might want to make, so it’s always best to check before booking. And be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your 16-17 Saver.

Your 16-17 Saver WON'T apply to:
Eurostar tickets
First Class fares
Some Train Company-specific promotional offers
Tickets for special excursion or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including Railair services
PlusBus Season tickets
Travelcard Season tickets valid wholly within London Zones 1-9
Oyster pay as you go, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets
Rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to Republic of Ireland
ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services