Travelling by train is one of the quickest and most convenient ways to get around the UK, but, with regular travel, fares can add up. That’s where Railcards come in. With savings of up to 1/3 off most train journeys, choosing the right Railcard can make a big difference to your wallet.
But which Railcard is best for you? And which one can save you the most? Below, we’ve mapped our Railcards onto different travel needs and lifestyles, so you can see exactly how much you could save.
Which Railcard is best for me if...
Click on a scenario that best matches your travel habits to explore which Railcard is for you, how much you could save, and specific journey examples.
Which Railcard is best for me if I get the train to school or university?
If you regularly catch the train to school in the mornings, or you travel to university for lectures, then the 16–17 Saver Railcard or 16–25 Railcard is your best bet. Based on your age, opt for either of these two Railcards and shave off a few pounds from your daily train fare, weekend trips home, or city breaks spent visiting friends at different universities.
Discount
Get 50% off most train tickets (including season tickets) with the 16–17 Saver Railcard and enjoy a 1/3 off train fares with the 16–25 option. If you’re a mature student aged 25 or older and you still commute to uni full-time, you can still benefit from the 16-25 Railcard. On average, the 16-25 Railcard saves travellers £199 each year.
Savings example
16-17 Saver Railcard: A return from Hale to Manchester Piccadilly for the school commute at £7.30 without a Railcard, becomes £3.65 - saving you £18.25 each week!
16-25 Railcard: A Manchester–Liverpool return for uni travel at £18.90 without a Railcard becomes £12.55 with the Railcard. If you commute in for lectures on Mondays and Thursdays, you could save over £50 per month.
Which Railcard is best for me if my partner and I travel together a lot?
Want to know what the best Railcard for couples is? If you and your other half do most of your travel together (be it fun days out locally or weekend city breaks), a Two Together Railcard is the perfect choice for savings..
Discount
For just £17.50 each per year, you can save 1/3 off rail fares every time you travel together. This is ideal for off-peak adventures at weekends or travelling together to meet friends, enjoy a date night, or see a gig on a weeknight.
What about when couples travel separately?
If you’re not always travelling with your partner but you still want to save on your fare, you could opt for a 26-30 Railcard, costing £35 per year and saving you 1/3 on travel. If you’re based in the South East of England, a Network Railcard is another great option, saving travellers an average of £191 annually.
Savings example
If you and your partner live in Manchester and book a romantic weekend away in London, it will cost you £228 to get there and back using an Off-Peak return. But, if you use your Two Together Railcard, it will only cost you £151.80, saving a third on the total fare.
Which Railcard is best for me if I usually travel with my children?
If family trips are a regular feature in your calendar (whether that's filling the school holidays with fun days out or simply visiting the grandparents), the Family & Friends Railcard is your best companion. You, three adult friends or relatives, and up to four children aged 5-15 can all travel for a reduced rate with this Railcard, as long as at least one of the two named cardholders is on the journey too.
Discount
You, your husband, and your two children are planning a trip from Glasgow to London to visit family for the week. Without the Family & Friends Railcard, the return journey will cost £560.70 for an Off-Peak return; add the Railcard discount on, though, and this drops to £319.90.
Savings example
You, your husband, and your two children are planning a trip from Glasgow to London to visit family for the week. Without the Family & Friends Railcard, the return journey will cost £560.70 for an Off-Peak return; add the Railcard discount on, though, and this drops to £319.90
What’s the difference between a Family & Friends Railcard and a Two Together Railcard?
If your family unit is just you and your partner (cats not included!), then the Two Together Railcard is ideal, since it covers two adults. The Family & Friends Railcard is designed for households with children, or for friends or family members making trips with their kids - covering up to eight people.
Which Railcard is best for me if I commute to the office a few times a week?
If you’re a hybrid worker, finding a fare-saving solution that works the way you do can be tricky. If you’re based at home but travel to the office a few days a week, the 26-30 Railcard can be great value, especially since you can also use it to save on journeys that aren’t just your weekly commute. Did somebody say weekend exploring?
Discount
For £35 per year, a 26-30 Railcard will get you 1/3 off most fares. No matter how far in advance you like to book your tickets, your Railcard can help you save, covering you for spontaneous meetings or regular commutes with Advance, Off-Peak, Anytime, and Flexible Season tickets.
Savings example
If you have to commute from Coventry to London (Euston) twice a week, you could save up to £530.50 per month with the 26-30 Railcard, bringing down the cost of an anytime return from £178.00 to £118.50
Which Railcard is best for me if I need assisted travel?
If you have a disability and are travelling with another adult, the Disabled Persons Railcard is perfect for saving you both money on your fares, wherever you’re headed. Be it popping into town for essentials or a day trip to a museum, save on your own fare and a friend’s, family member’s, or carer’s fare too.
Discount
The Disabled Persons Railcard costs you just £20 per year and saves you and a friend 1/3 on travel without restrictions. So, you can head off at any time of day and save big on your fare.
Savings example
You’re heading to Manchester Piccadilly from Stoke-on-Trent for a Saturday shopping spree with your friend. Without your Disabled Persons Railcard, an open return would cost £44.60 in total. With the Disabled Persons Railcard saving you both 1/3, the journey will only cost £29.70, leaving you a little more spending money to shop with. At just £20 a year, the Railcard will quickly pay for itself too.
Which Railcard is best for me if I’m retired and travel for leisure?
If you’ve got more time on your hands to explore and enjoy the best of the UK, a Senior Railcard is the perfect choice. From cultural trips to museums, scenic countryside journeys, or visiting family further afield, pay less for your train fares with a Senior Railcard for over 60s.
Discount
For just £30 a year, you’ll save 1/3 off most rail fares. That means more day trips, more spontaneous outings, and more visits to the people and places you love, all while keeping travel costs down. On average, over-60s save £98 per year with this Railcard.
Savings example
You’re planning to travel from London to Carlisle for a week’s stay with your sister. If leaving on a Monday on an Off-Peak train without your Railcard, the trip would cost £158.40 for an open return. But, with your Senior Railcard discount, the total is brought down to just over £105, giving you spending money for a bunch of flowers, some fizz, and your sister’s favourite chocolates on the way.
Save 50% on all travel for the three-month period during which your free Railcard is active. This works with Anytime tickets, Advance fares, Off-Peak tickets, and Season tickets (up to three months).
Savings example
You need to make the quick trip from Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Street for a job interview on a Monday at 10:00am. Without the Jobcentre Plus Railcard, an Anytime Day Single will cost you £6.20. With your free Railcard, the fare would be just £3.10.
Wondering which Railcard gives the best discount? Of all the Railcards available for Avanti West Coast travel, the 16–17 Saver Railcard technically gives the biggest discount at 50% off, making it ideal for teens commuting daily.
For adults, the savings are usually greatest with the Family & Friends Railcard, since both adults and children benefit at once. However, it goes without saying that the Railcards that save the most are the ones that are used the most.
How much does a Railcard save me?
Depending on the Railcard you have, you could save hundreds per year on train fares. For example, an average of £191 is saved by couples each year on the Two Together Railcard.
