Which (if any) railcard do I want?

[aar0]

Hi,

My partner and I currently both have 26-30 railcards. Unfortunately mine expires in a few months’ time and I’m no longer eligible for one. I’m considering a two together or family railcard (we have a one year old). Our typical family travel is Swansea - London and back, 4ish times a year, plus trips around the UK to see family and friends. The Swansea - London is normally a peak (0558 from Swansea) Thursday or Friday train, then Sunday return.

It seems that a two together railcard doesn’t give a discount on advance fares during peak times, unlike other railcards. Family and friends requires a child ticket which I don’t need for 4 years. I can’t work out if I’m best off:

• Sticking as we are, my partner gets 1/3 off
• Getting a two together railcard, and the Sunday returns and non-London travel are 1/3 off
• Getting a family and friends railcard, and buying baby an unnecessary ticket

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome - looking to book our next trip in November and advance tickets have just gone on sale.

 

[yorkie]

If you usually travel together as a pair, but sometimes without a child and/or are happy for the 1-year-old to sit on your laps, get a Two Together Railcard.

Alternatively, if you are more likely to travel separately but with your child and/or if you want a seat for your 1-year-old, then get a Family Railcard.

If you regularly or occasionally travel before 0930, then the Family Railcard is better.

A child under 5 does not require a ticket, but is supposed to sit on your lap and is not entitled to a seat unless you get a ticket for them, which of course would be far cheaper with a Family Railcard discount (60% off a child ticket) than a full priced child ticket. Whether or not you would prefer to book them a seat or not is personal preference, and that may change over time as they get bigger (having a 4-year-old on your lap in three years time will be more of an inconvenience than a 1-year-old!)

 

[fandroid]

Are you already too old to qualify for another 26-30 Railcard? If that birthday hasn't quite arrived yet, it might be worthwhile buying a new one while the old one is still valid.

 

[aar0]

If you regularly or occasionally travel before 0930, then the Family Railcard is better.

Ok that seems to be the key thing for our London trips

A child under 5 does not require a ticket, but is supposed to sit on your lap and is not entitled to a seat unless you get a ticket for them, which of course would be far cheaper with a Family Railcard discount (60% off a child ticket) than a full priced child ticket. Whether or not you would prefer to book them a seat or not is personal preference, and that may change over time as they get bigger (having a 4-year-old on your lap in three years time will be more of an inconvenience than a 1-year-old!)

Ah, so an F&F railcard child’s ticket is 60% less than the standard rate, which is already 50% the full fare? So for two adults the addition of the child’s ticket makes the whole purchase cheaper than two full price adult fares.

Are you already too old to qualify for another 26-30 Railcard? If that birthday hasn't quite arrived yet, it might be worthwhile buying a new one while the old one is still valid.

Unfortunately I’m 32 this year, timed the previous renewal to maximise my railcard use. I might be eligible for a 16-25 as a full time student but I’ve not had success with that previously (and I’ve been a student pretty much constantly since 2013!)

 

[Haywain]

Ah, so an F&F railcard child’s ticket is 60% less than the standard rate, which is already 50% the full fare? So for two adults the addition of the child’s ticket makes the whole purchase cheaper than two full price adult fares.

It also makes it cheaper with just one adult (and child).

 

[Watershed]

. I might be eligible for a 16-25 as a full time student but I’ve not had success with that previously (and I’ve been a student pretty much constantly since 2013!)

If you have evidence you meet the criteria (15+ hours a week of study for at least 20 weeks a year) you should be able to get one on the 'mature student' basis.

See this FAQ, which includes a link to the application form.

 

[Haywain]

If you have evidence you meet the criteria (15+ hours a week of study for at least 20 weeks a year) you should be able to get one on the 'mature student' basis.

Although that seems to be regarded as attending the educational establishment, not studying at home. Aside from that, and unconnected with railcards, it's an interesting definition of "full time" - you could get paid work for that amount of time and still be considered unemployed!

 

[Watershed]

Although that seems to be regarded as attending the educational establishment, not studying at home.

Yes, although even that requirement isn't hugely onerous given it's only for 15 hours a week. A hybrid course could meet those requirements, I would imagine.

Aside from that, and unconnected with railcards, it's an interesting definition of "full time" - you could get paid work for that amount of time and still be considered unemployed!

And you could even be in paid work whilst studying for that amount of hours, e.g. a degree apprenticeship. I suppose it is also intended to cover the likes of people doing PhD courses, who may not have many 'contact hours' but would still be studying outside of those hours.

 

[saismee]

It might be worth double-checking the requirements for a Disabled Persons Railcard. I know of at least one person who didn't even realise they could get one until I pointed it out to them. As it allows discounting an adult companion's ticket, you can take advantage of it if either you or your partner are eligible.

Are You Eligible - Disabled Persons Railcard

www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk

If you are disabled or have a progressive medical condition you are eligible for the Disabled Persons Railcard if you:

• receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment(CDP) at either:
  • the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
  • the higher or middle rate for the care component
• have a visual impairment
• have a hearing impairment
• have epilepsy
• receive Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)
• receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
• receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
• buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme

 

[aar0]

If you have evidence you meet the criteria (15+ hours a week of study for at least 20 weeks a year) you should be able to get one on the 'mature student' basis.

See this FAQ, which includes a link to the application form.

Thanks. Will see if my PhD supervisor will sign it. Previously we didn’t get very far but then the 26-30 railcard came out which is as good. If not an F&F railcard seems a good investment.

It might be worth double-checking the requirements for a Disabled Persons Railcard. I know of at least one person who didn't even realise they could get one until I pointed it out to them. As it allows discounting an adult companion's ticket, you can take advantage of it if either you or your partner are eligible.

Are You Eligible - Disabled Persons Railcard

www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk

Not eligible but good suggestion to check. Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jul 2025 ==

Didn't realise F&F wasn't valid on any first class tickets! Bit of a shame. However searching for tickets for 2 adults and a child has revealed an even cheaper non-railcard-discounted GWR only "Family advance". Standard only, £94 for two adults on the 0557 Swansea-London, which is cracking value. Saves at least £25 on the best railcard discount, and I can put some cash towards a seatfrog if one is available (though unlikely on a peak train)