Is digital or plastic Railcard better?

Digital Railcards are stored within the Railcard app on your smart phone or tablet, meaning there's no need to carry the physical card around with you. They can be stored on up to two devices and used quicker than plastic Railcards as they do not need to be sent in the post.



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Yes. Although your Railcard will live in your Trainline App, it can still be used with tickets bought elsewhere.

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Under 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like' you can select if you want a 'Digital' or a 'Plastic' Railcard. You will be asked to provide a digital passport-style photo if you select 'Digital'. You do not need a photo if you have ordered a 'Plastic' Network Railcard.

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Whether you want to get a digital Railcard or prefer the traditional version, there are 2 ways you can purchase your Senior Railcard: Online (1-year or 3-year Railcard) At a staffed station ticket office (1-year Railcard only)

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Once your online payment has been successful you will receive an email confirmation and acknowledgement of your application number (this confirmation cannot be used to buy discounted tickets). If you have ordered a plastic Railcard, please allow 5 working days for delivery.

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If you have selected 'Digital' under 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like', you will be asked to provide a passport style photo.

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In most cases, your digital Network Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your digital Network Railcard.

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If you have already bought a digital Railcard, you should have received a 'digital Railcard Download code' on both the purchase confirmation page and by email. Once you've got this code, go to the Railcard app, tap on the '+' button in the top left of the screen and enter your code.

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Please allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be reviewed and approved. Once approved, your Disabled Persons Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard.

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At a station You can also apply for your Railcard by visiting any staffed station ticket office within the Network Railcard area and get your Railcard on the same day! Just be sure to allow yourself plenty of time between purchasing your Railcard and before you need to depart for your journey.

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If you bought it at a station, provided you can produce the completed Receipt portion of your original application form, then you can apply for your lost or damaged Railcard to be replaced at any staffed station ticket office.

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Why can't the Network Railcard be used before 10:00am Monday to Friday? The Network Railcard is designed to promote off-peak leisure travel. This means that it encourages people to use trains outside of the busy commuting period which occurs before 10:00am Monday to Friday.

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Yes. You must show your valid Railcard when you buy your ticket. You also need to have your Railcard with you on each journey and present it to staff when your ticket is checked aboard the train.

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“The terms and conditions of e-tickets are clear that the customer must activate and take the ticket with them when they travel. A photograph or screenshot is not acceptable, as this is not the ticket and could be used by anyone.

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You cannot swap a plastic Railcard to a digital Railcard. However, when the time comes to renew your Railcard you can do this online and choose to have a digital Railcard. Click here for the step by step guide on how to renew your Railcard.

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Your head and shoulders should be in close-up, with your face clearly visible and filling approximately 70% of the frame (in the same way it would for a passport or driving licence). The image must be in sharp focus. Please make sure that your face is not obscured by hats or hair.

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If you have purchased a digital 16-25 Railcard, in most cases it will be available to use straight away.

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