Studying in the UK, known for its high cost of living, requires an understanding of how to utilize various transportation discounts. After purchasing a UK Railcard, cardholders can buy train tickets at a lower price. For students who often travel with friends or family, the Two Together Railcard is an excellent choice. Cyclopes highlights key information on how to utilize two types of UK Railcard discounts, enabling students to understand Railcards and flexibly use them to purchase train tickets at discounted rates.
Source: Freepik
What is a Railcard?
A Railcard is a widely used discount card for train tickets in the UK. Cardholders can enjoy up to 1/3 off train ticket fares, making it an economical choice for international students residing or studying in the UK for an extended period. After purchasing a Railcard, cardholders can enjoy reduced ticket prices for both commuting and traveling, benefiting frequent train users.
The UK offers a variety of Railcards suitable for different groups, such as students, young people, and seniors. Those meeting specific criteria can even enjoy discounts of half-price or more. So, how does one utilize Railcard benefits?
Types of Railcards offered by National Rail
There are many different types of Railcards, including:
- 16-17 Saver
- 16-25 Railcard
- 26-30 Railcard /The Millennial Card
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- Family & Friends Railcard
- Network Railcard
- Senior Railcard
- Two Together Railcard
- Veterans Railcard
Source: National Rail
Each type of Railcard has different application conditions and benefits. For students studying in the UK, the more commonly used types of Railcards are the Two Together Railcard and the 16-25 Railcard. Their purchase qualifications and other details are as follows:
Two Together Railcard
- Price: £30/year
- Age restriction: Two adults aged 16 or over, who must purchase tickets and travel on the same train
- Suitable for: Couples, spouses, friends who travel together frequently
- Applicable areas: Across the UK
Benefits:
- 1/3 OFF train ticket discounts
- Valid for all ticket types (Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance)
- Other restrictions: Cannot be used between 4:30 am and 9:30 am from Monday to Friday, but there are no restrictions on weekends and bank holidays.
16-25 Railcard
- Price: £30/year, £70/3 years
- Age restriction: Anyone aged 16 to 25; students aged 26 or over
- Suitable for: Students, young professionals, tourists
- Applicable areas: Across the UK
- Minimum fare restriction: Ticket prices must be over £12 between 4:30 am and 10:00 am from Monday to Friday, but there are no restrictions on weekends, bank holidays, and during July and August.
Benefits:
- 1/3 OFF train ticket discounts
- Valid for all ticket types (Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance)
- Compared to the Two Together Railcard, the 16-25 Railcard is more suitable for Hong Kong students studying in the UK, as it does not require two people to travel together.
How to Purchase a Railcard
- Online Purchase
You can choose to purchase through the Railcard App (Google Play｜App Store). When buying online, you can choose between a digital card or a physical card:
- Digital card: You can receive the virtual card immediately after payment and store it on your phone.
- Physical card: It will be sent to a UK address free of charge within 5 working days.
- Purchase at Train Stations
All National Rail staffed station ticket offices offer Railcards for purchase.
Regardless of whether you purchase online or at a train station, you should prepare the application form and required documents in advance, including:
- Passport (passport details for online purchase)
- A color passport-sized photo that clearly shows your face without hair covering (digital file of the photo for online purchase)
- Mature Student Application Form (applicable for full-time students over 25 years old)
Source: Freepik
For students studying in the UK, a Railcard is a way to significantly save on transportation costs. Different types of Railcards, such as the Two Together Railcard, offer additional convenience and discounts for those who frequently travel with friends or family. We hope this article helps you understand how to use UK Railcard discounts to save more on travel expenses during your studies in the UK. Stay tuned to Cyclopes for more UK study information, and feel free to consult our professional UK study abroad consultant team!