Save 1/3 with a Disabled Railcard Discount
The Disabled Persons Railcard is one of the best ways for disabled passengers to save money on train travel across the UK. If you’re living with a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you can get a disabled railcard discount of 1/3 on most rail fares for both you and a companion. It’s a simple, flexible and affordable way to make rail travel easier - whether you commute daily, enjoy weekend trips, or visit family and friends.
What is the Disabled Persons Railcard?
Travel Savings for You and a Friend
If you’re living with a disability, you can enjoy cheaper travel with the Disabled Persons Railcard. Save a third on rail travel for you and a travel companion on journeys across the UK.
Am I Eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard?
You may qualify if you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult. Accepted evidence includes (but isn’t limited to):
- PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
- DLA (Disability Living Allowance)
- Registered visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Epilepsy
- Use of mobility aids or assistance
- Those who have a Disabled Persons Bus Pass in England, Scotland or Wales
- Those who have a London Disabled Persons Freedom Pass
- Those who have a Blue Badge
- Those currently unable to drive on medical grounds
- Those who receive Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) benefits
- Those who receive Industrial Injuries Benefit for 20% degree of disablement or higher
- Those who are without speech
The Disabled Persons Railcard is for people with a disability that makes travelling by train difficult. To check if you’re eligible, visit disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
When Can I Use a Disabled Persons Railcard?
The good news is, anytime you like. The Disabled Persons Railcard gives you and a friend discounted rail travel across Great Britain. You can use it anytime, as often as you like and on most ticket types.
You can use your disabled persons railcard discount:
- At any time of day
- Any day of the week
- As many times as you need
- On most rail fares across the National Rail network
You can’t use the railcard:
- On Season Tickets or Travelcards
- On Eurostar services
- On some promotional fares
- On the London Underground or DLR (except when using Oyster pay as you go)
How to Get a Disabled Railcard
If you’re applying for disabled railcard, here’s what to do:
- Apply Online: The quickest way. You’ll need to upload a photo or scan of your proof of eligibility.
- Apply by Post: Download the application form and send it with your evidence.
- Renew Disabled Persons Railcard: If your details are the same, you can renew your Disabled Persons Railcard online or by phone.
How to Use Your Disabled Persons Railcard
Using your railcard is easy, whether you book online, via machine, or at the ticket office.
- Booking Online: Select Disabled Persons Railcard in the railcards dropdown menu.
- At Station Machines: Choose your journey, then select the Disabled Persons Railcard button before confirming ticket type.
- In a Ticket Office: Show your railcard to staff 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.
Disabled Child Railcard / Discounts for Children
There isn’t a separate railcard for disabled children, but:
- Children aged 5–15 already receive 50% off rail fares.
- If a disabled child regularly travels with an adult, the adult may benefit from the Disabled Persons Railcard as it provides 1/3 off for both the cardholder and a companion.
Some concessionary fares may also apply depending on disability and journey type.
Other Concessionary Fares for Disabled Passengers
If you don’t have a Disabled Persons Railcard, you may still get discounts, such as:
- Reduced fares for wheelchair users
- Companion tickets
- Reduced rates for blind or visually impaired passengers
These can sometimes offer similar benefits to a disability train pass. Find out more about discounts for older and disabled passengers.
Apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard
Disabled Persons Railcard – FAQs
A Disabled Persons Railcard costs £20 for 1 year or £54 for 3 years. The 3-year railcard offers the best long-term value.
No. You cannot buy a Disabled Persons Railcard at the station. You must apply online, by post, or renew by phone.
You’re eligible if you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult. This includes physical, sensory, learning, and mental health disabilities. Evidence such as PIP, DLA, visual impairment registration, or epilepsy diagnosis is typically accepted.
You get 1/3 off most rail fares for you and a companion. This is often referred to as a disabled railcard discount or disabled persons railcard discount.
You can apply online by uploading a photo and proof of eligibility or apply by post using a paper form. If you already have one, you can renew your Disabled Persons Railcard online or by phone.
Yes. The discount is valid any time of day, including Peak and Off-Peak periods. You can use it as often as you like.
It works on most ticket types, including Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets. It does not apply to Season Tickets, Eurostar, or some promotional fares.
You can only use the discount on the London Underground and DLR when travelling with Oyster pay as you go. It does not apply to paper or contactless fares.
There is no separate “Disabled Child Railcard”. Children aged 5–15 already get 50% off train tickets. If a disabled child travels with an adult, the adult may benefit from the Disabled Persons Railcard because it provides a discount for both the cardholder and a companion.
The Disabled Persons Railcard is a national discount card for rail travel. Some local authorities also offer concessionary disability train passes, but these schemes vary regionally.
You must be able to show your railcard during your journey. If you can’t, you may need to buy a new ticket. Digital railcard holders can move their railcard to another device if their phone is lost or out of battery.
Yes. One companion travelling with you also receives 1/3 off their fare on eligible tickets.
You can choose either a 1-year or 3-year Disabled Persons Railcard.
You can renew online using your existing details or renew by phone if nothing has changed with your eligibility.
Yes. If you’re visually impaired or a wheelchair user, you may qualify for concessionary fares even without a railcard, including free companion travel on some services.
Whenever you like, and as many times as you like – you can use your Disabled Persons Railcard discount on most ticket types for travel at any time of day.
You can’t get a discount on Season Tickets, Eurostar or some promotional offers. And you can't use it on London Underground and DLR services except when using Oyster pay as you go.
Concessionary fares
Other concessionary fare discounts are available if you're visually-impaired or a wheelchair user and don't have a Disabled Persons Railcard.
Find out more about discounts for older and disabled passengers .