Enjoy 1/3 Off Train Fares with a 16-25 Railcard
Looking to save money on your train travel? The 16-25 Railcard is your ticket to easy, affordable journeys whether you’re studying, working, or making the most of time off with friends. Available digitally or physically, this card will save you a third on rail fares across Britain, including Advance and First Class Advance tickets. Plus, it gives you access to great discounts on holidays, dining out, theatre tickets and more.
Why Choose a 16-25 Railcard?
Curious about the perks? Here’s what makes this rail card stand out for students, recent school leavers and young adventurers:
- Get 1/3 off a huge range of fares: The 16-25 railcard discount means extra money in your pocket, no matter if you’re booking ahead or travelling last-minute.
- Flexible options for everyone: Go for a one-year card, or pick a 3 year railcard 16-25 and lock in your discount for longer - perfect for university courses and gap years.
- Your card, your way: Store it conveniently on your smartphone, or opt for a physical card to slip in your wallet.
- Extra offers and deals: Enjoy exclusive savings on trips out, entertainment, and more - just for being a Railcard holder.
How to Get Your 16-25 Railcard
Not sure how to get a 16-25 railcard? Here are your easy steps:
- Check your 16-25 Railcard eligibility: If you’re aged 16 to 25, great news - this rail card is for you. Mature students also qualify if you’re in full-time higher education (study 15+ hours per week, 20+ weeks a year).
- Sort your documents: Have your passport, driving licence or national ID ready. (Mature students will need proof of their course.)
- Apply online: The application takes just a few minutes. Upload a digital photo, fill in your details and make your payment, then choose between a digital or physical card. You can start saving with your digital card almost straight away,
Popular Journeys with a 16-25 Railcard
Check out the savings you could get with the 16-25 Railcard on some of the most popular student journeys:
- Trains to London to see top attractions
- Trains to Manchester for concerts and sporting events
- Trains to Nottingham for university or days out
- Trains to Sheffield for shopping and gigs
16-25 Railcard FAQs
The 16-25 Railcard is designed to suit young people and students with busy lifestyles and tight budgets.
- You must be aged 16-25 – or a mature student in full time education, aged 26 or over, subject to eligibility.
- You can buy a three-year 16-25 Railcard up until the day before your 24th birthday.
A three-year railcard costs £80. For one year, it’s £35.
The average annual saving on travel is £199.
You can buy one-year and three-year railcards online, as a digital or physical railcard. Or visit any staffed ticket office to buy a one-year railcard.
- Buying tickets online: Simply select the 16-25 Railcard option from the railcards dropdown.
- Using the ticket machine: Once you’ve chosen your route, select the 16-25 Railcard button.
- In the ticket office: Show your 16-25 Railcard when buying your ticket.
- On the train: You must keep your railcard on you when you travel, so you can present it during your trip. If you forget, you will need to buy a new ticket. If you have a digital railcard and your phone runs out of battery or gets lost, you can swap your railcard onto another mobile device.
A minimum fare of £12 applies for journeys made between 04:30 and 10:00 Monday to Friday. This minimum fare does not apply to Advance tickets, journeys on public holidays, or during July and August. If you have an Anytime Day Ticket that is purchased with a 16-25 railcard, this can be used on a train that departs before 10:00am Monday to Friday but will have a minimum fare of £12.
If you lose or damage the mobile device storing your digital Railcard, you can upload it to a new device at no additional cost by accessing your online account.
Yes, you can link your 16-25 Railcard with an Oyster card to get 1/3 off Off-Peak travel around London.
As long as you purchased the Railcard before your 26th birthday (or 24th birthday for a 3-year Railcard), you can continue to use it and enjoy the discounts for the full validity period.
You can use your Railcard for early morning commutes, but the minimum fare of £12 applies for journeys starting between 4:30am and 9:59am on weekdays. If you travel regularly during these times, a weekly or monthly season ticket might be more cost-effective
Yes, the 16-25 Railcard cannot be used with:
- Season tickets (including Travelcard Season tickets)
- Eurostar tickets
- First Class fares that aren't booked in advance
- Some train company-specific promotional offers
- Tickets for special excursion or charter trains
- Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets (when not part of a National Rail journey)
The 16-25 Railcard is valid for journeys throughout Great Britain. However, it's important to note that for some journeys involving bus or ferry links, the discount may be smaller than the standard 1/3 off, as these operators may specify a smaller discount or none at all.
The 16-25 Railcard is not valid for international travel. Specifically, it cannot be used on Eurostar tickets.