Heading off on a family trip to the seaside? Dropping the kids off at their grandparents for the weekend? A Family & Friends Railcard can make those journeys that bit cheaper. But what else can it do?
From sharing pick-up and drop-off duties with other family members to day trips with friends and their children, here’s a simple guide to what you can and can’t do with a Family & Friends Railcard (and who you can bring along on the journey).
elay Compensation Table
Family & Friends Railcard savings
Here’s a quick reminder of the eligibility and savings, before we run through who can use the Railcard and when.
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Who can use your Family & Friends Railcard?
The Family & Friends Railcard is designed to make train journeys simpler (and cheaper) for groups of up to four travelling adults and four children. So, if you’re doing your neighbour a favour and sharing the school run duties, her two kids can tag along with yours for the journey (so long as you’re travelling too).
Two adults can be named cardholders on a Family & Friends Railcard; that can be Mum & Dad, Nan & Grandad, a parent and an adult sibling, or a different combination. To benefit from the discount, at least one of the named cardholders must be travelling with at least one child for every journey - kids are the key here!
Delay Compensation Table
What are the age restrictions for the Family & Friends Railcard?
Children must be aged between five and fifteen for the Railcard discount to apply. So, if your teens are taking driving lessons, then they’re too old, we’re afraid.
Don’t forget the ‘Friends’ part
They say that ‘friends are the family we choose’, and a Family & Friends Railcard lets you choose exactly who you’re travelling with.
While a perfect solution for parents to save money, friends and extended family can also enjoy a discount with a Family & Friends Railcard. As long as one of the named adult cardholders is travelling with a child, then Granny, Grandad, Uncle Rob, or Mum’s friend, Sue, can tag along too.
Example: If Mum and her two kids travel with Grandma, everyone gets the discount. If Dad travels with his friend and his daughter, all three also get the discount.
Can I use my Family & Friends Railcard when travelling alone?
This Railcard is designed for big days out, school runs, taking the kids to theme parks, and spending time together. So, at least one child needs to be travelling too for the discount to apply.
If you are travelling solo - for work, weekend breaks, or everything in between - we have plenty of other Railcards that can help you save on fares, such as the 26–30 Railcard or Senior Railcard.
Example: If you drop the kids off at school and continue your commute alone, you can’t use the Railcard for the adult-only portion of the journey.
Can other family members use your Family & Friends Railcard?
Other family members can benefit from the Family & Friends Railcard if they’re travelling with you or are a named cardholder, but they can’t borrow it outright.
If you and your partner are both named cardholders, then either one of you can use it when travelling with the children. But if only one parent is listed, the other can’t use it alone with the kids. (PS: If it’s just you and your partner in your family unit, the Two Together Railcard is a great way to save).
Similarly, your neighbour or friends can’t borrow your Family & Friends Railcard to take the kids on a day trip without you being present, unless they’re a named cardholder themselves.
When can you use a Family & Friends Railcard?
From taking the kids to see attractions in London to regular, everyday travel, you can use your Family & Friends Railcard whenever you need to, with few exceptions, enjoying discounts on Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, Anytime, and Standard Class Advance tickets.
Can I use my Family & Friends railcard before 9:00 am?
Yes, you can use your Railcard before 9:00 am (parents everywhere: relax!). The only exception is if your journey is a morning peak service wholly within the London and South East area on a weekday.
The school run can be stressful: shoes on, jumper missing, lunchbox not packed - and all that before you’ve even thought about getting tickets for the train. So, even just a little saving can help to shave off some of the chaos. You’ve got this.
Example: A Saturday morning family trip at 8:00 a.m. is eligible for the discount (if you can get the kids up that early on a weekend!), but a 7:45 a.m. weekday train to London won’t qualify.
Using your Family & Friends Railcard: Everyday scenarios
Whoever you class as family - cousin, neighbour, auntie, or your childhood friend from school - travel together for less and enjoy simple, fun days out with Avanti West Coast.
Ready to put it all together? Here are some example use cases for how you can make the most out of a Family & Friends Railcard this year:
- Grandparent hand-off
Grandma’s on duty for the day? Jump on an Off-Peak train together, hand the kids over with zero motorway stress, and let the Family & Friends Railcard trim the fare without any dodgy discount code-hunting. Book seats so bags, buggies and snack boxes have a home, then enjoy a quick coffee together on the platform before you peel off. Hand-over done, costs down, everyone smiling.
- A day trip to the seaside
Pack the kids’ buckets and spades (and an emergency umbrella - you know what the British weather’s like), then ride the rails to the coast. With your Railcard, Off-Peak returns feel kinder on the wallet, so you can say “yes” to extra chips, a whirl on the pier, and a round of ice creams. No traffic, no parking meters, just sandy toes and sleepy kids on the way home.
- Fun adventures with family who feel like friends
You, your best mate, and both your mini sidekicks - because “family” is who you bring along. As long as at least one adult and one child travel together, your Railcard works its magic, even if you’re not related. Split the snacks, swap the colouring pens, and spend the savings on a museum ticket or a post-adventure pizza.
- Saturday footie run
It’s the Saturday school fixture and everyone’s raring to go: players, shin pads, and a proud Grandad. Hop on an Off-Peak train with your Family & Friends Railcard so the kids arrive fresh (not carsick), their kit bag has a seat, and Grandad can cheer from the touchline without the parking drama.
- Birthday blow-out
Planning a big birthday day out with your little one and their friends? Jump on an Off-Peak train, add your Family & Friends Railcard, and make the journey part of the fun. Reserve a cluster of seats so party bags, cake box, and coats all have a home, then roll into the city for the zoo, bowling or a make-your-own-pizza lunch. The Railcard works as long as at least one adult and one child travel together, so you can invite a handful of their classmates for the day.
Travel with loved ones for less
Be it shared school runs or weekend trips with your friends and their kids, travel with your loved ones for less with Avanti West Coast. Find out more about the Family & Friends Railcard or explore other ways to travel as a group on a budget today.
