Is the Railcard online or physical?

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.



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You can get your Railcard in a digital format to be stored in the National Rail Railcard app on your phone or tablet, or as a physical card. You can use your Railcard to buy tickets online, at a ticket office, from a ticket machine, and over the phone.

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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.

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Types of Digital Railcard with Trainline You can now buy the following digital Railcards with us and store them directly in your Trainline app. Age-based Railcards are great for students, young professionals and seniors. Railcards are great for friends, couples and family members.

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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.

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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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Digital Railcard can be bought online only. Please click on 'Buy Now' on the website homepage to get started. When you get to the question 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like', select 'Digital' and follow the instructions on the screen to continue with your purchase.

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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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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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Add a travel card on your iPhone or Apple Watch
  1. On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.
  2. Tap the Add button .
  3. Tap Travel Card to add a new travel card or tap Previous Card to add a travel card that you've previously added to the Wallet app.
  4. Choose a travel card from the list, or search by location or card name.


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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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If you are travelling by train on a ticket with a Railcard discount, you must travel with your valid Railcard. 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.

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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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You can secure an Off-Peak Family Travelcard on selected Chiltern Railways, c2c, West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway routes at Trainline.

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While railcards might seem like an expensive investment for those who don't regularly travel by train, do not underestimate their worth. Most railcards mean you could save up to 1/3 on train fares.

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If you bought your physical Railcard at a rail station, you must carry your separate 16-25 Photocard that was issued at the time of purchase (or where appropriate a 'Permit to travel without Photocard') and you must present this in any circumstance where you present your physical Railcard (i.e. when buying tickets and ...

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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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Digital Railcard can be bought online only. Please click on 'Buy Now' on the website homepage to get started. When you get to the question 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like', select 'Digital' and follow the instructions on the screen to continue with your purchase.

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