A 16-25 Railcard gets you 1/3 off most rail fares across Great Britain. It costs £35 for one year or £80 for three. It’s open to anyone aged 16 to 25 and to mature students in full-time education, so if you travel home or visit friends a few times a year, it usually pays for itself quickly.
How much does a 16-25 Railcard cost?
The official prices are £35 for a 1-year Railcard or £80 for a 3-year Railcard. The 3-year card works out cheaper if you’re sure you’ll keep using it. The official 16-25 Railcard site says holders save an average of £212 a year, but what you save depends on how often and how far you travel.
Who can get a 16-25 Railcard?
- Anyone aged 16 to 25. You don’t need to be a student.
- Mature students aged 26 and over in full-time education in Great Britain. That means at least 15 hours a week for at least 20 weeks a year, on campus.
Distance learning and part-time courses aren’t eligible. Open University courses aren’t either, except full-time courses at the Milton Keynes campus. A mature student card lasts one year, and you can renew it while you’re still in full-time education.
When should I buy or renew before my 26th birthday?
You can buy or renew a 1-year card up to the day before your 26th birthday and keep using it until it expires. A 3-year card can be bought up to the day before your 24th birthday. After 26, the 26-30 Railcard keeps the savings going.
Can I use my 16-25 Railcard before 10am?
Yes, but on weekday journeys before 10am a £12 minimum fare applies. It doesn’t apply to Advance tickets, on public holidays or during July and August. If you have a 9am lecture, compare the discounted fare with the £12 minimum, or see whether a slightly later train is cheaper.
Which tickets does the 16-25 Railcard cover?
It covers Standard Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets, Standard and First Class Advance tickets, airport express trains to Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow, PlusBus day tickets, and Rover and Ranger tickets.
It doesn’t cover season tickets, weekly or monthly Travelcards, First Class tickets not booked in advance, Eurostar, or some train companies’ own promotions.
Does the 16-25 Railcard work in London?
Yes, in two ways. You can get 1/3 off an Anytime Day Travelcard bought as part of a journey into London from outside Zones 1 to 9, though a minimum fare applies. You can also have the discount added to a registered Oyster card to save on off-peak pay as you go fares on the Tube and DLR. Take your Oyster and Railcard to a London Underground station and ask staff to set it up.
Can I buy discounted tickets for friends?
No. The discount only applies to tickets for your own travel. Anyone travelling with you needs their own Railcard to get the discount.
How do I get a 16-25 Railcard?
- Get your ID ready. You’ll need a passport, UK driving licence (not Northern Ireland) or EEA national identity card, plus a passport-style photo.
- Choose digital or physical. A digital card lives in the Railcard app and is the quickest option. Physical cards are posted to you.
- Mature students: download the mature student application form, get it signed by your college or university, and upload it with your student ID. These applications are checked by hand, so allow extra time.
- Use it when you book and carry it on every journey. You can’t travel on discounted tickets until you have the card.
Is a 16-25 Railcard worth it for students?
If you’ll spend more than about £105 a year on train tickets, the 1/3 discount covers the £35 cost (a third of £105 is £35). For many students, a couple of return trips home does that. If you rarely take the train, or mostly travel on a season ticket, it may not be worth it. Also compare coach fares for longer trips. Our guide to saving money as a student covers coachcards and other travel savings.
What if I’m 16 or 17?
Look at the 16-17 Saver instead. It gives 50% off train tickets, which beats the 16-25 Railcard’s 1/3 discount while you’re eligible.
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Last checked: 6 November 2026, using the official Railcards and 16-25 Railcard sites. Prices and rules can change, so check there before you buy.