Two Together Railcard Rules: When & Where You Can Use It

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Travelling is always better with a companion, and the Two Together Railcard makes it easier than ever to travel as a pair for less.

Designed for dynamic duos who regularly travel side-by-side, this Railcard unlocks impressive savings across the network. But, before you grab your tickets, you might be wondering: what are the rules for the Two Together Railcard?

From when it’s valid to which journeys you can take (and with who), we’ve broken down the restrictions and guidance into example scenarios to make sure you’ll never get caught out at the ticket gate.

Two Together Railcard restrictions

Prefer to keep it concise? Here’s a handy reminder of the main rules, restrictions, and eligibility requirements for the Two Together Railcard before we explain exactly when and where you can use it.

Save ⅓ on train tickets.
Costs £17.50 yearly (per person).
Average saving of £98 annually. Both travellers must be 16+.
Only for two named people. Tickets for both people must be bought at the same time.
For use on Off-Peak,*Advance, Standard, and First Class Anytime fares. Travellers don’t have to be a couple.

* Off-Peak tickets apply after 9:30 am on Mondays-Fridays.

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Using your Two Together Railcard

They say “Two’s company, three’s a crowd”, and the same goes for the Two Together Railcard. This Railcard is designed for a party of two travellers who make the same journey regularly. (So, if you and your best friend are practically joined at the hip, this is the Railcard for you).

Two Together is not just for couples

You don’t have to be a couple to save on fares with the Two Together; as long as you love travelling together, that’s all that matters to us! Your travel buddy can be a sibling, a friend, a colleague, one of your coursemates, or even your neighbour - as long as you are both over 16 and travelling at the same time.

Jump ahead to example scenarios  for more on who you can travel with.

Do I need to buy two Two Together Railcards?

This question often causes confusion for travelling companions. The answer is no, you don’t need to purchase two Railcards to get a discount; simply split the cost of one Two Together and make sure you’re both named cardholders. You do have to buy two tickets when you travel, though, and at the same time.

Can you use the Two Together Railcard alone?

They say that the world was built for two, and the Two Together Railcard operates under the same principle. In order to get a reduced train fare, both you and your chosen travelling companion need to be making the journey at the same time.

Example: If you and your friend share a Railcard and journey into town together, but they get off a few stops earlier, your Railcard discount isn’t valid for the part of your journey when you are alone.

Alternatives to Two Together

If you prefer to ride solo from A to B, making trips by yourself more often than not, you can still benefit from reduced train fares with any of the following Railcards (provided you meet their criteria):

All Railcards

When can you use the Two Together Railcard?

This Railcard was designed to make commuting, catching up, and coordinated travel much easier, so we’ve made sure that there are very few Two Together time restrictions.

Can I use a Two Together Railcard before 9.30 am?

No, you can’t get a discounted fare with a Two Together Railcard before 9:30 am, as the Railcard is not valid during this peak morning period. However, you can enjoy a discount at any other time, including:

  • After 9:30 am on weekdays
  • Anytime on weekends
  • During public holidays.

Example: If you and your mum share a Two Together Railcard and want to head into town for a shopping trip on your Friday off, you’d need to catch any train after 9:30 am to enjoy a discounted fare.

As for tickets, the Two Together gives you discounts on Standard Anytime, First Class Anytime, Off-Peak (after 9:30 am Mon-Fri), and Advance - so you can treat mum to a First-Class seat with a window view.

Where can you use the Two Together Railcard?

You and your trusted travelling companion can use the Two Together Railcard to make adventuring cheaper across the UK's franchised National Rail networks, extending from city breaks to escapes to the country.

The Railcard covers a wide range of journeys across England, Scotland, and Wales, meaning you can hop on board with confidence, no matter where your plans take you. From charming coastal routes to bustling urban lines, the savings apply as long as you’re both travelling together for the whole journey.

Is a Two Together Railcard valid on Eurostar?

We like your savvy thinking, but the Two Together discount does not extend to the Eurostar, as this isn’t part of the National Rail network. If you’re trying to keep costs down for you and your travel buddy on the Eurostar, be sure to book well in advance.

Can I use my Two Together Railcard on the London Underground?

If you’re based in or regularly travel through London, you can benefit from discounts on London Underground fares for some journeys. Let’s explain:

Exclamation mark icon You can’t use your Two Together Railcard for discounts on Oyster Pay As You Go or tickets from London Underground retailers.

Green list card list tick icon However, if your train journey involves cross-London travel where you have to use the Underground to travel between two London mainline train stations, a discount will still apply.

Example: Say you’re travelling with your partner from Manchester to Brighton and need to get from Euston to Victoria on the Underground as part of your journey. Because it’s included in your through rail ticket, your Two Together Railcard discount still applies. If you’re both just taking the Tube within London, like Oxford Circus to Leicester Square, the Railcard won’t give you a discount.

Travelling with Two Together: Example scenarios

Still unsure how the Two Together would work for you? Here are some examples of happy travelling duos saving on fares with the Railcard to get you inspired to send that “Shall we go in on a Railcard together?” text.

  1. Two colleagues sharing an off-peak commute

    If you and a colleague travel the same route after the 9:30 morning peak, you can share the savings day after day by catching the train together. It’s an easy way to reduce the weekly cost of commuting to the office and is perfect for hybrid workers with more flexible start times.

  2. Travelling to lectures with a flatmate

    Sharing timetables with a friend? If you and your classmate often head to campus together, the Two Together Railcard can cut the cost of those regular journeys. It’s a simple way to make student life a little more budget-friendly while sticking to the same routine.

  3. Saving on match day with your brother

    The Two Together Railcard is perfect for keeping up traditions with the ones you love. If you and your brother haven’t missed a match at your local stadium in years, why not go in on a Railcard together to save on fares and spend more time catching up on the way to the ground?

  4. Cheaper date nights

    Be it dinner, drinks, or seeing a show, enjoy date nights for less (and without the stress of driving or parking). With the Two Together Railcard, your tickets are cheaper, your journey’s easier, and the evening feels that bit more special. And the best part? No one needs to be the designated driver!

  5. Making memories with mum

    Whether you’re visiting family, enjoying a day trip, or heading off for a weekend escape, you and your mum can use the Railcard to save every time you travel together. It’s an easy way to make those catch-ups more affordable and more frequent.

Travel with your favourite person for less

Whoever you choose to be your trusted travelling companion, and wherever you venture off to, travel for less with the Two Together Railcard. Get yours today or find out more about other ways to save when travelling with friends at Avanti West Coast.