Student life often means balancing lectures, part-time jobs, and trips home, which is why every saving helps. And one of the best ways to save is with a Railcard. But between peak times, ticket types, and age limits, it’s not always clear exactly when you can use them to make the largest savings.
If you’re a student studying full-time, travelling to get into college, or commuting to uni a few days a week, this guide helps break down the most common questions about Railcards for students, from when they’re valid to how they work with Anytime Train Tickets, Off-Peak tickets, and even Season Tickets.
What counts as a student Railcard?
The first thing to clear up is that there’s not actually a specific Railcard for students. When people talk about a “student Railcard,” they’re usually referring to one of two discount age-specific railcards designed for young travellers:
- 16–17 Saver Railcard: Ideal for school and college students, offering 50% off most rail fares, including Season Tickets.
- 16–25 Railcard: Perfect for university students and young professionals, giving 1/3 off most fares, including Advance and Off-Peak tickets.
Both can help you save on journeys across the Avanti West Coast network, whether that’s getting to lectures or visiting family for the weekend.
Can you get a Railcard if you’re a mature student?
You can absolutely get a Railcard if you’re a mature student. Full-time mature students aged 25 or over can still apply for a 16–25 Railcard, as long as you can prove you’re studying full-time.
You’ll just need your university to verify your enrolment, which can usually be done with an official stamp or a digital approval form when applying online.
So, whether you’re doing a postgraduate degree or retraining in a new field, you can still unlock 1/3 off most fares and make your journeys to campus or back home cheaper.
Can you use a student Railcard during peak times?
When you can use your student Railcard is one of the biggest points of confusion, especially for commuters.
In most cases, Railcard discounts don’t apply to peak-time fares (that is, trains departing before 9:30 am on weekdays). However, there is one key exception.
The 16–17 Saver Railcard offers 50% off most fares, including those at peak times and even Season Tickets. So, if you’re catching the 8:15 am train to college, your 16–17 Saver will still save you half the cost, but if you’re using the 16–25 Railcard, it won’t apply until after 9:30 am.
What time is peak travel?
Peak times are generally before 9:30 am, Monday to Friday, when most commuters travel. After that, fares drop to Off-Peak prices, which are often significantly cheaper.
That means if your lecture starts later in the morning or you’re heading home for the weekend, you can travel at Off-Peak times and enjoy your full Railcard discount.
Can you use a student Railcard after 9:30 am?
Yes, you can use a student Railcard even when you’re not travelling directly to school. Both the 16-25 and the 16-17 Saver Railcards apply to any journeys that start after 9:30 am on weekdays and all day on weekends, bank holidays, and university breaks.
That makes them ideal for students travelling for day trips, weekend getaways, or later starts at uni.
Can you use a student Railcard with a Season Ticket?
Yes, you can use your student Railcard with a Season Ticket but it does depend on which Railcard you have:
- The 16–25 Railcard can’t be used to buy a Season Ticket, as those ticket prices are already discounted for regular travel.
- The 16–17 Saver Railcard, however, does apply to Season Tickets, giving 50% off daily, weekly, or monthly passes.
This makes the 16–17 Saver a great option for students commuting to college every day.
For example, if you were a 17-year-old travelling from Crewe to Manchester for sixth form, you could save hundreds over a term with a discounted Season Ticket.
What trains can I get with an Off-Peak Return?
An Off-Peak Return lets you travel at quieter times of the day (after 9:30 am weekdays, and any time on weekends or bank holidays), perfect for students with flexible schedules.
Both the 16–25 Railcard and 16–17 Saver can be used on these tickets.
- The 16–25 gives 1/3 off the fare.
- The 16–17 Saver gives a 50% discount.
For example, if you’re travelling home from university on a Friday afternoon, an Off-Peak Return from Birmingham to London could drop from around £72 to £48 with a 16–25 Railcard.
Can you use a student Railcard with Advance Tickets?
Combining a Railcard with Advance Tickets is one of the easiest ways to make your student budget go further.
Advance tickets are cheaper fares released ahead of travel, available on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re ideal if you know your plans in advance, like heading home for the holidays or visiting friends for the weekend.
When you book an Advance fare using your 16–17 Saver or 16–25 Railcard, the discount applies on top of the already reduced price, giving you the best of both worlds. In many cases, you’ll pay less than half the standard fare by combining both savings.
It’s a simple way to stretch your savings even further: plan ahead, book early, and always add your Railcard when you buy your ticket.
What happens to your 16-17 Saver Railcard when you turn 18?
When you turn 18, your 16–17 Saver will expire, but you can switch seamlessly to the 16–25 Railcard to keep saving. The only difference is that the 16–25 offers 1/3 off fares rather than 50%, and applies mainly to Off-Peak and Advance tickets.
Student rail travel made simple with Avanti West Coast
Railcards are one of the easiest ways to save money on train travel when you’re a student, and even with just a few journeys, they more than pay for themselves.
Whether you’re commuting to college, heading home for the holidays, or planning a weekend trip with friends, knowing when your Railcard applies means you’ll always get the best value.
Explore our full range of Railcards and start saving on every journey today.