Railcards
I am only visiting the UK briefly, should I buy a railcard?
In short, if your rail fares end up being greater than £90 (of if 2 of you are travelling together after 0930, then if your fares are greater than £45) then you will be saving. I use these figures, as that is you in effect covering the cost of a railcard. Anyone eligible can purchase one at a ticket office, or online if you have at least 10 days to receive it in the post to a UK address, or some railcards can be a mobile phone enabled railcard by uploading photos etc. Search for "Digital Railcards". If you fit these scenarios, you can obtain a railcard, noting benefits and restrictions.
16-25 Railcard - if you are wholly within these age ranges, one third off most rail fares, with a minimum fare of £12 for flexible fares before 10am weekdays September - June. (ie - if the fare you wish to buy is £15 at 8am travel, the fare you'd pay is £12, where as if you were travelling at 10am, then you'd get the full third off - so £10. No time restriction in the summer months of July & August. Full discount off advance purchase fixed fares at anytime of the day. The railcard applies throughout England, Scotland and Wales on trains only, and some ferry services when buying through rail/ferry tickets. Whilst discounts apply to first class advance purchase fixed fares, there is no discount offered to walk up/flexible "off peak," "anytime" , or "package inclusive" first class fares. This railcard also applies to the Scottish Rover passes which includes some bus and ferry travel too. A Photo is required.
26-30 Railcard - this is a newly released railcard effective January 2019. It is for anyone upto the age of 30 - one can buy this the day before they turn 30, and it is still carries a one year validity. The same main conditions of the 16-25 railcard except, that the £12 minimum fare applies for the whole year, no exceptions apply in July & August. This card is only available as a Mobile card, and cannot be bought at any train station. A digital photo is required.
Senior Railcard - if you are aged 60 years or more, then you buy one regardless of where you are resident. Applies throughout England, Scotland and Wales. There are no time restrictions, except generally not valid before 0930 (time varies slightly by route) for tickets wholly in the London and South East area on weekdays. One third off standard and first class fares. This railcard also applies to the Scottish Rover passes which includes some bus and ferry travel too. No Photo is required.
Two Together Railcard - this is for anyone of any age 16+, and applies to the same two people travelling together from 0930 onwards weekdays, and anytime at the weekend or bank holidays. You both receive a third off advance fares, and walk up fares in standard and first class. This railcard also applies to the Scottish Rover passes which includes some bus and ferry travel too. A photo of each of you is required.
Disabled Railcard - this is for any one 16+ who has a disability described , and if you send them the required prof, then you are issued with a disabled green railway card. It provides one third off nearly all fares, including the Rover passes within Scotland, and also for a companion too. There are no time restrictions. It applies throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and applies to some through ticketing of rail/ferry travel also. Allow time for processing. No Photo required.
Club50 - If you are 50 and over, you can apply online only via the Scotrail website. Any off peak fares that you buy will be loaded to your card, online, and you receive a 20% discount. If you buy a paper ticket from the counter or a Blue/grey Scotrail Ticket vending machine (choosing smartcard ticketing option) then you will receive a 10% discount. These discounts are not available from the LNER & VT ticket machines at Edinburgh, Glasgow Central , Berwick or Aberdeen stations. In the lower seasons of travel there are often £17 return fares to anywhere in Scotland - that is when you know you are on a true winner (often promoted in November, and January - March)
