Railcards allow you to save up to 33% off most rail fares, including discounts on Advance Purchase tickets. There are eight different railcards available. There are also a number of Regional Railcards - for more information please see the below links; 16-25 Railcard (previously Young persons Railcard)
However, at peak times you can only use railcards when the cost of the ticket is over £12. This doesn't apply to the Disabled Person's Railcard. This essentially means a railcard is almost always worth using, except for a short journey at peak times.
“In my opinion, the best days of the week to buy train tickets are Tuesdays and Wednesdays,” said Miller. “These days tend to have lower demand for train travel compared to weekends or Mondays. Therefore, purchasing tickets on weekdays, such as Tuesday or Wednesday, can often result in better deals.
About RailcardsWhether it's a day out in the city or in the countryside, a trip to catch-up with your friends or visiting the family, with a Railcard you can save 1/3 on your train trips. A Railcard saves you money on almost every journey you take.
Get 1/3 off your train tickets with a Railcard! From children to seniors, there is a Railcard to suit everyone – and you get at least 1/3 off your tickets.
A: Yes, your Railcard is accepted by all the Train Companies who operate Passenger Railway Services within England, Scotland and Wales. Railcards do not give discounts on Eurostar services, Charter services, and Heritage Railways unless state otherwise.
Is Trainline more expensive than National Rail? The trainline is a reseller/agent so although the fares are usually the same, you may other charges such as booking fees/credit card fees and delivery fees and may miss any special promotional fares. There is no point in booking through them.
This depends on the type of railcard some railcards are only valid on Off-peak fares such as the 26-30 railcard, others are available to use all day such as the Senior railcard.
If you are aged 26-30 years old and still in full-time education, you can choose whether to buy a 26-30 Railcard, or buy a 16-25 Railcard as a mature student. Mature students who are over the age of 30, can only choose the 16-25 Railcard option and apply as a mature student.
Reserve Early. The earlier you book your tickets, the more likely you are to get the lowest fare available for the dates you want on the routes along your journey. You may book your travel up to 11 months in advance.