If you paid for 'Special Delivery' and placed your order before 15:45pm, your Railcard will be delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday). If you are applying as a mature student please allow an additional 5 working days for your application to be reviewed and approved.
You can buy a Family & Friends Railcard at any National Rail staffed station ticket office or National Rail-licensed Travel Agent. You can do it on the day you are travelling, just ensure the ticket office is open.
If you forget your Railcard you will either be required to buy a new ticket or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare. However, a train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year where this happens.
Most Railcards can be purchased online with the option to download as a digital Railcard to your smartphone or device with our Railcard App. Some 1-year Railcards can also be purchased at any National Rail staffed ticket office.
Do they always check Railcard? A: Yes. You must show your valid Network Railcard (digital or plastic) when you buy your ticket and travel on the train. Failure to present a valid Railcard will mean you have to pay a full fare or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare.
Railcards can be renewed within 30 days of expiry, to either a digital or a plastic Railcard. Just log into your account and select 'Digital' when completing the application process.
It's perfectly acceptable to buy the tickets online first and buy the railcard later - just as long as you have it when boarding the train. All I have to say is that you must have the railcard with you when you travel as the rail ticket without the railcard will then be invalid.
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.
You can also apply for your Railcard by visiting any staffed station ticket office and get your Railcard on the same day! Just be sure to allow yourself plenty of time between purchasing your Railcard and when you need to depart for your journey.
We'll automatically apply your Railcard savings and show you the discounted price. Book your train tickets as a digital ticket, or to be collected at the station. Bring the device your digital Railcard and train tickets are stored on to show to a ticket inspector if asked.