Rail Card
Rail Card is the official online seller of National Railcards, found at railcard.co.uk. A Railcard takes a third off most rail fares across Great Britain. It is run by the Rail Delivery Group, and the Railcard idea dates back to 1974. Cards cover young people, seniors, couples, families, disabled travellers and veterans, so most regular rail users will find one that fits.
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More ways to save at Rail Card
- Student discountRailcard offers student discounts primarily through the 16-25 Railcard, also known as the Student Railcard. Mature students attending a recognised college or university full-time are also eligible. Trainline, in conjunction with Student Beans, offers a 15% discount on the 16-25 Railcard and 26-30 Railcard.
- NHS discountNHS and healthcare workers can access Railcard discount codes through providers like Health Service Discounts.
- Military discountRailcard offers discounts through the Veterans Railcard for ex-service personnel and UK Merchant Mariners, and the HM Forces Railcard for currently serving personnel, regulars or reserves, and their spouses or civil partners.
- Join Partner DiscountsWhile Railcard does not have a named loyalty programme, holders benefit from various partner discounts. These include offers on Virgin Experience Days, Hoseasons lodges, cottages.com bookings, YHA membership, tastecard membership, and savings on sightseeing tours and theatre tickets. Virgin Trains Ticketing also allows customers to earn Virgin Points when purchasing Railcards.
- Click & CollectSkip delivery fees by collecting in store.
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About Rail Card
Which Railcard fits
- 16-25 Railcard: for anyone aged 16 to 25, and full-time mature students can qualify too.
- 26-30 Railcard: for those aged 26 to 30.
- Senior Railcard: for anyone aged 60 or over.
- Two Together Railcard: for two named people travelling together.
- Family & Friends Railcard: for adults travelling with children aged 5 to 15.
- Disabled Persons Railcard and Veterans Railcard: for those who are eligible.
- Network Railcard: regional savings in the South East.
Digital or plastic
Every type can be bought as a digital Railcard for your phone, and a physical card is also an option. Digital cards can be used straight away, while physical ones come by post. Cards are valid for one or three years, and renewal can be done online up to 30 days before expiry. The site explains eligibility and the ID needed for each type.
Before you buy
Railcards are generally non-refundable once bought, so check eligibility first. Lost or stolen cards can be replaced through an online application. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Phone support runs from 07:00 to 22:00 daily, apart from Christmas Day.
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Rail Card quick facts
| Delivery | Digital railcards instant, physical cards 5-7 working days |
|---|---|
| Returns | As Railcards are discount cards for rail travel, they are typically non-refundable once purchased. However, support is available for issues such as lost or stolen Railcards, for which replacements can be applied for online, and for any problems encountered with digital Railcard downloads or app functionality. |
| Click & Collect | Yes |
| Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express |
| Loyalty scheme | Partner Discounts |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Parent company | ATOC Ltd (trading as Rail Delivery Group) |
| Stores | Hundreds |
Rail Card contact
- Website
- railcard.co.uk
- Phone
- 0345 3000 250
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm
Rail Card FAQs
Who can get a 16-25 Railcard?
Anyone aged 16 to 25 can apply, and mature students in full-time study at a recognised college or university are also eligible.
How long is a Railcard valid?
Railcards last either one year or three years. Renewal can be done online up to 30 days before the current card expires.
Can I get a refund on a Railcard?
Generally not, as Railcards are non-refundable once bought. If your card is lost or stolen, you can apply online for a replacement.
How long does a physical Railcard take to arrive?
Physical cards are posted and usually take 5 to 7 working days. A digital Railcard can be used straight away on your phone.
When can I call customer service?
Phone lines run from 7am until 10pm, seven days a week, with Christmas Day the only exception.
