What is a Senior Railcard? How may I get one? What are the requirements? If you are over 60 years old, you may be eligible for a Senior Railcard. This can earn you discounts on train tickets, and even other offers. This Your Benefits article will walk you through everything you need to know.

Senior railcard cost 2022

The Senior Railcard costs £30. However, after you have completed a number of trips, the price of the card will have been paid off. Why? Because of all the savings you will have been able to do. After a few trips, the savings you will have been able to make will have amounted to the price of the card. 

To give you a better idea, the card costs around £2.50 a month if you were to buy it annually. For that price, you are able to get a one-third discount on your train tickets. 

What is a senior railcard

The Senior Railcard is a benefit specifically for senior citizens. It allows them to travel less for cheaper. You must be at over 60 years old to earn the Senior Railcard, and it can earn you up to 30% off train tickets within Great Britain. 

You may use the Senior Railcard on a variety of tickets. It will earn you a discount on Advance fares, Off-Peak, Standard and First Class Anytime tickets. You are not limited in the number of times that you can use your card. As such, it is recommended that you use it plenty of times.

What are the benefits of a senior railcard

There is a high amount of ticket types for which you can earn discounts. In fact, you could get 1/3 off train fares throughout Great Britain:

• First Class and Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Returns and Singles;
• Standard and First Class Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Returns and Singles;
• First Class and Standard Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Returns and Singles;
• Standard and First Class Advance (you must book the tickets prior to your travel to earn your discount);
• Caledonian Sleeper (you may earn a discount on a variety of offers: most Rail Rovers Tickets, Classic and Club Solo rooms, as well as seated products);
• Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express and Stansted Express;
• Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go Daily Price Cap and Off-Peak pay as you go single fares for journeys on National Rail, Dockland Light and London Underground Railway (Oyster can tell you more about Railcard discounts for these kinds of expenses);
• Discounts on local train tickets from individual train companies (learn more by contacting your local train station);
• Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 (this is when they are purchased as a part of the ticket coming from inside London and with a destination outside of London, and the minimum amount required for the ticket is £19.60);
• Through tickets meant for travelling via the Railair link (this is for travelling between the Heathrow and Reading Airport);
• Plusbus (their offer is unlimited bus travel for your origin station and destination station, for qualifying operators);
• Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries, for some sea and rail journeys (this is for destinations that arrive at Isle of Wight stations);
• Hovertravel services (for travels that either go to or from Ryde Hoverport);
• Stena Line ferries in destination of Republic of Ireland (you may only earn the discount if you book the tickets for the travel in advance).

Not all tickets are available to earn you a discount. The following tickets do not fall under the eligibility of the Senior Railcard:

• Most Docklands Light Railway or London Underground tickets (if you use Oyster pay as you go, you may still earn a discount);
• Ticket prices for special travel, Charter trains and a variety of coach and bus links (this includes Railair services);
• Some Train Company (for more specific promotional offers that they provide);
• Eurostar tickets;
• Season tickets (this is including Travelcard Season tickets).

Do I need a photo for a Railcard?

You may decide to create a digital Senior Railcard. In this case, you will need to give a photo. On this photo, the outline of your eyes must not have anything covering them. This is the same for your mouth and your nose. 

The same rules as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Passport Agency are applied throughout the rail industry. As such, you may not wear a full facial burka or niqab on your photo. These are types of veils that cover the face. 

Your face needs to be clear and visible in order for the photo to be valid. This is also the case if you are at a train station. Members of the rail staff must be able to confirm your identity.

This is so that they can confirm that you are the person on your Senior Railcard. As such, a member of the rail staff may not be able to confirm that you are indeed the same person as on your Railcard. If this is the case, the Train Companies have certain rights.

They may decide that you cannot use the discount for your ticket. As such, you may need to pay full price Standard Single fare.  If this is the case, it is because the Train Company will make it as if no ticket was bought prior to your travel. Additionally, you may have to pay a Penalty Fare. This is not sure, only possible in some cases.

When can I use my Senior Railcard?

During normal working days, outside of public holidays, you will not be able to earn a discount. In other words, during normal weeks, you may not earn a discount before 9am. 

There are specific restrictions when it comes to the time at which you may use your Railcard. First, you may travel in the Network Railcard area of validity during morning peak hours. In this case, when travelling between two stations, you are not eligible to earn a discount with your Senior Railcard. 

Second, the services that operate off-peak times vary by route. As such, it is highly recommended to verify the time before buying your tickets.

However, these restrictions do not apply during public holidays. In other words, you may earn a discount on your train tickets during public holidays. There are also exceptions to time restrictions. The table below lists the stations, times and ticket types that the discounts usually apply to:

How to get a Senior Railcard

You are able to buy your Senior Railcard online. More specifically, you can do this on the Railcard website. Furthermore, you may also buy one at a ticket office. Finally, if you want another way to buy a Senior Railcard, you can do it at a National Rail-licensed Travel Agent.

Can I buy my Senior Railcard in advance?

If you do so online, you may buy your Senior Railcard before your 60th birthday. More specifically, you can order it within 14 days of you turning 60 years old.

Note that you cannot buy your Senior Railcard in advance at a train station. The only way to buy your Railcard in advance is on the internet. Otherwise, if you absolutely wish to do it in person, you may buy one once you turn 60. 

Senior railcard offers

First, you may earn a 5% discount on holidays by train through Railbookers. As such, you will be able to earn discounts on travels outside Great Britain.

Then, you may also earn more discounts on cottages.com. More specifically, you can earn 5% discounts on bookings on their website. Haven Holidays also offer up to £50 in savings off of the offers on their website with your Senior Railcard. 

Finally, if you would like discounts on food, Senior Railcard holders are entitled to a 3 months tastecard membership, free of charge. 

Can people over 60 travel for free?

You may not travel for free with the Senior Railcard. However, you may be eligible for the Freedom Pass. Indeed, this card allows you to travel for free around London. It can also provide you a range of discounts on various services.

With the Freedom Pass, you can get free travel on a variety of travel methods. This includes bus, tram, DLR, London Overground and Tfl Rail. With an Older Person’s Freedom Pass, you are able to travel on the Tfl services free of charge.