Which railcard is best? Every National Railcard explained

The best railcard is the one that matches your age, who you travel with, and where you go. Aged 16 to 30? There's a card for you. Over 60? The Senior Railcard. Travel as a pair or with children? Two Together, or Family & Friends. Most National Railcards take a third off eligible fares, so if you take a few longer trips a year it's worth doing the sums. The catch is the small print about time limits, which is where people get caught out.

Every National Railcard at a glance

Each card has its own conditions page on the official Railcard website. Read the one for yours. It's dull, but it's the bit that decides whether the card works for your journeys.

Which railcard is best for young people and students?

If you're 16 or 17, the 16-17 Saver is the strongest discount going: half off. From 16 to 25, the 16-25 Railcard takes a third off, and mature students over 25 in full-time education can get it too. Then the 26-30 Railcard carries on the same discount until you turn 31, though it only comes as a digital card on your phone.

For students who go home by train at the end of each term, a railcard is one of the most useful things you can own (or be given). We've put together more ideas in gifts for students who take the train home.

Couples, families and friends

Two Together works for any two named adults who travel together, which suits couples, friends and parent and grown-up child pairs. Both of you need to be on the train, and it doesn't work before 09:30 on weekdays.

Family & Friends covers up to four adults and four children aged 5 to 15, with at least one child travelling. Adults get a third off, and children get a bigger discount on top of the normal child fare. For a family day out to the seaside or a museum, it can make a real difference.

Over 60s, disabled travellers and veterans

The Senior Railcard is for anyone aged 60 or over and takes a third off. Check the conditions for any time limits where you live, particularly if you travel at busy times around London.

The Disabled Persons Railcard gives a third off for the holder and one adult travelling with them, which is useful if you travel with a carer or companion. The Veterans Railcard is for people who served in the UK armed forces, and the HM Forces Railcard is for those still serving.

Can you use a railcard for commuting?

Partly. Railcards generally don't reduce season tickets, and several have limits on weekday morning travel or a minimum fare for early trains. If you commute a few days a week, a flexi season ticket or a run of day returns may suit you better, depending on your operator. We cover the options in train commuting tips.

Where a railcard does help is for everything outside the commute: weekends away, visits to family, a trip to see the Christmas lights in another city.

Is a railcard a good gift?

It can be, especially for a student or a newly retired parent who's started taking the train more. Railcards are personal, so you'll need the holder's details (and for most cards a photo) to buy one. The Railcard website is the place to check how to buy one on someone else's behalf. Pair it with a card telling them where you think they should go first.

For someone who takes the train most days, a board that shows their next train might be more use day to day. TrainTicker is an amber LED departure board for any National Rail station, £199.99 with no subscription, and you can add a gift note at checkout. Have a look at the free demo to see what it shows.

Railcards and late trains

A railcard doesn't stop you claiming if your train is late. Delay Repay is worked out from what you paid, so railcard holders can claim just like anyone else, though the payout is based on the discounted fare. Our guide to Delay Repay has the details.