- Discount: A huge 50% off train fares.
- Cost: £30 per year.
- Who’s Eligible? Anyone aged 16 or 17.
- Best For: College and sixth-form students, apprentices, or young commuters.
- Covers Anytime, Off-Peak, and Advance fares.
- Great for students commuting to school or college
- Still in school? Get the 16-17 Saver for 50% off.
Affordable and efficient rail travel for students
At East Midlands Railway, we know that as students, you’re always on the move - whether you're commuting to university, heading home for the weekend, or exploring new cities. That’s why we offer discounted student train tickets to help you travel for less.
Why Choose a Student Ticket?
Being a student comes with plenty of expenses, but rail travel doesn’t have to be one of them. With East Midlands Railway, there are several ways to secure a discounted rail ticket as a student. Save money on your rail journeys while enjoying a fast, reliable, and comfortable travel experience.
In this guide, we'll explore the best ways to save money on your train tickets as a student:
- Get a Railcard and Save up to 1/3
- Book in Advance for the Best Prices
- Travel as a Group & Save More
- Travel Off-Peak for Cheaper Fares
Benefits of Cheap Student Train Tickets
- Save Money - Get exclusive discounts on train fares, making travel much more affordable.
- Flexible Travel – Choose between single or return tickets to fit your schedule.
- Easy Booking – Simple online booking with secure payment options.
- Fast & Reliable Service – Travel comfortably across the East Midlands and beyond.
- Railcard Discounts – Save even more with a Student Railcard.
Whether you’re commuting to university, visiting friends, or heading home for the holidays, a cheap student train ticket helps you travel for less.
Best Ways to Secure Cheap Student Train Tickets with EMR
Being a student means balancing studies, social life, and finances. At East Midlands Railway, we want to make travel more affordable, so you can get where you need to go without breaking the bank. Here are some of the best ways to save on your train tickets.
1. Get a Railcard and Save up to 1/3
One of the easiest ways to save is by getting a Railcard. For just £30 a year, you can save up to 1/3 on train fares across the UK. We’ve detailed the most popular options for students below.
Railcard Types for Students
Here are the main types of student Railcards available with East Midlands Railway for rail travel across the UK:
Ready to save on your travel? Get your Student Railcard today and start enjoying discounts on your next journey.
2. Book in Advance for the Best Prices
Train tickets are usually cheaper when booked in advance - sometimes up to 12 weeks before departure. These Advance fares are limited, so the earlier you book, the more you can save. Sign up for EMR’s Ticket Alert service, and we’ll notify you when Advance train tickets for your route go on sale.
3. Travel as a Group & Save More
Going on a rail trip with friends? Groups of 3 to 9 people can save up to 1/3 on train tickets with GroupSave. Just select this option when booking together, and enjoy extra savings.
Find out more about group train tickets
4. Student Season Tickets
If you’re a student travelling on a regular basis for school, university or college may benefit from a Season Ticket or Flexi Season Ticket.
- Discount: Up to 50% off weekly, monthly, or termly travel.
- Who’s Eligible? Students travelling regularly on EMR routes.
- Best For: Students who commute daily to school, university or college. If you’re only commuting a few days a week, a Flexi Season Ticket may be the better option.
- Unlimited travel between two stations for a set period.
- Travelling regularly? Get a Student Season Ticket and save today
- Available as weekly, monthly, or annual passes.
5. Travel Off-Peak for Cheaper Fares
Train fares are generally cheaper outside of Peak hours. If you have a flexible schedule, try travelling during:
- Off-Peak: Avoid rush hour (usually weekdays 10:00–15:30 & after 19:15).
- Super Off-Peak: Travel at even quieter times for the biggest savings.
When booking with EMR, our Journey Planner highlights Peak and Off-Peak times, making it easier for you to choose the cheapest ticket.
Ready to save on your journey? Book your student train ticket today.
Find out more about Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets
Book Your Student Ticket Today
Booking your student train ticket with East Midlands Railway is quick and easy. Whether you're heading to college, visiting friends, or travelling home, follow these simple steps to secure your discounted student ticket.
How to book a Student Train Ticket
Already have a Railcard? Enter your discount code when booking to save instantly. Follow the below steps when using our online Journey Planner:
Step 1: Select Your Journey
- From: (Enter your departure station)
- To: (Enter your destination station)
- Travel Date: (Choose your preferred date)
- Ticket Type:
- Single (One-way ticket)
- Return (Round trip)
- Open Return
Step 2: Select your Student Railcard or Discount Type
- If you have a valid Railcard or Student Discount, select the relevant type from the list shown on our Journey Planner
Step 3: Select your Desired Travel Times
- Review the list of travel times for your journey and select the best option
- If there is a cheaper option, this will be highlighted for you
Step 4: Enter Your Details
- When prompted, enter your details as required
- Full Name (As it appears on your ID)
- Student ID Number - if applicable
Step 4: Confirm & Pay
- Choose your preferred payment method (Credit/Debit Card, PayPal, or Student Railcard Payment Options).
- Click "Book Ticket" to secure your seat.
- You will receive an e-ticket via email or can choose to collect your ticket at the station.
If you don’t have a student discounted railcard, apply for one today.
Student Ticket Discount FAQs
Which Student Discount Ticket Should you Choose?
Is a Student Railcard right for me?
When can I use my student Railcard?
How do I use student Railcards?
How Much Could I Save with a Student Train Ticket?
How do I Get a Student Railcard?
With so many ways to save money on your train tickets, students can travel affordably and conveniently with East Midlands Railway.
• Travelling regularly? Get a 16-25 Railcard or Student Season Ticket
• Still in school? Get the 16-17 Saver for 50% off
• Travelling in a group? Use GroupSave to cut costs
• Flexible with travel times? Choose Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets
To be eligible for a student Railcard, you must be aged within the relevant brackets or a mature student in full-time education aged 26 or over, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.
• The 16-17 discount card remains active for a 12-month period, or until the holder's 18th year, whichever occurs first, and must be purchased online channels, rather than at station ticket counters
• You can buy a three-year 16-25 Railcard up until the day before your 24th birthday.
• You can purchase a 26-30 Railcard any time before your 31st birthday and keep using it for a year.
You'll enjoy discounted fares on most off-peak, standard class journeys, and Advance tickets. Please note that you cannot use it for Season tickets, and some restrictions may apply during peak hours.
Important Note: If you travel before 10:00 AM Monday to Friday, a minimum fare of £12 applies to all ticket types.
For full terms and conditions, visit our Railcards page.
1. Buying Tickets Online - Simply select the relevant Railcard option from the railcards dropdown when purchasing tickets online.
2. Using the Ticket Machine - After choosing your route, select the relevant Railcard button at the machine.
3. In the Ticket Office - Present your Railcard to the ticket office staff when buying your ticket.
4. On the Train - Make sure to have your railcard with you while travelling. If you forget it, you’ll need to purchase a new ticket. If you have a digital railcard and your phone battery dies or you lose your phone, you can easily transfer your railcard to another device.
On average, 16-25 Railcard holders save 1/3 on train travel but up to 50% for 16-17 Saver railcard holders.
You can easily purchase your student friendly 16-17, 16-25 or 26-30 Railcard online, either as a digital or physical railcard. Alternatively, visit any staffed ticket office to buy a one-year railcard.