16-25 Railcard for 1/3 Discount on UK Train Travel
Official Railcard Retailers
Save 1/3 on Rail Fares
Also Valid for Mature Students
What Is a 16-25 Railcard?
The 16-25 Railcard (also known as the ‘Student Railcard’ or ‘Young Persons Railcard’) offers a 1/3 discount on most UK rail fares for those aged 16-25 or mature students.
16-25 Railcards are only £30 for one year, or £70 for three years, and offer an average annual saving of £192 per year*, although there is no limit to the amount of times you can use the Railcard in the validity period.
The 16-25 Railcard is ideal for students, graduates, and young professionals just starting out in their careers.
This Railcard offers discounts on a variety of ticket types, including Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance and more, but note that there is a cheapest fare of £12 for all journeys made between 4:30 am and 09:59 am from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
For an in-depth breakdown of eligibility and terms of use, see below.
How to Get a 16-25 Railcard?
You can purchase your Railcard (1-year or 3-year) through the Trip.com app, as shown below. Mature students( aged 26 or over) can also buy it.
What do I need on-hand when buying my Railcard?
Identification proof (valid UK driving licence/provisional licence, passport, or EEA national ID card)
A high-quality digital passport-style photo of yourself
A debit or credit card for payment
Step 1: Open the Trip.com app and tap "Trains" at the top of the homepage
Step 2: Tap "Buy a Railcard" at the bottom of the page
Step 3: Sign in to your Trip.com account and select the right Railcard for you
Step 4: Enter your personal information (including name, date of birth and a passport-style photo) and purchase
Step 5: You can now tap ‘My Railcards’ to view your new Railcard
Step 6: Make sure to add your Railcard when booking train tickets digitally (or select it if buying tickets physically) to enjoy discounts.
16-25 Railcards for Mature Students
Despite the name of the card, mature students (aged 26 or over) are also entitled to a 16-25 Railcard for each year they are in full-time education.
To apply for a 16-25 Railcard as a Mature Student, you will have to meet the following criteria:
Enrolled full-time for over 15 hours a week
Study for at least 20 weeks a year
Attend a recognized institution (excluding Open University and distance learning)
Please note: Trip.com cannot verify the status of a mature student. In order to purchase the railcard as a Mature Student, you must buy the railcard from the official website.
16-25 Railcard Benefits With Trip.com
Where Can You Travel With a 16-25 Railcard?
16-25 Railcard Restrictions
The 16-25 Railcard offers a 1/3 discount on most Off-Peak rail fares for travel across the UK. Below, you will find information on tickets, time restrictions, and the cheapest fares available.
Note that Railcard discounts only apply to a minimum fare of £12 for all journeys made between 4:30 and 09:59 am, Mon – Fri (excludes public holidays and July and August).
| Ticket Type | Available | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Anytime (Day, Single & Return) | | - |
| Standard & Super Off-Peak (Day, Single & Return) | | - |
| Standard & First-Class | | - |
| Oyster Cards | | Available on National Rail, London Underground, Overground, and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services. |
| Anytime Day Travelcards | | When bought as part of your ticket to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to cheapest fare of £22.60). |
| Hop-on, Hop-off | | Available on PLUSBUS tickets and most Rail Rover fares. |
| Express Trains to Airport | | Discounts apply Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, and Heathrow Express. |
| Caledonian Sleeper | | Discounted tickets available for Club Solo or Classic Solo rooms and seated products. |
| Combined Rail/Sea Journeys | | Discounts are available on some rail/sea journeys to stations on the Isle of Wight with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries, to and from Ryde Hoverport with Hovertravel services, and to the Republic of Ireland with Stena Line ferries.* |
| Eurostar | | - |
| Season tickets | | - |
16-25 Railcard FAQs
Can I buy a 16-25 Railcard when I’m 25?
Yes, you can still buy a 1-year Railcard up until the day before your 26th birthday, meaning, if you do purchase it on that date, the last possible valid day to use your 16-25 Railcard would be the day before your 27th birthday. However, you can only buy a 3-year Student Railcard up until the day before your 24th birthday.What is the difference between a 16-25 Railcard and a 26-30 Railcard?
Other than the age groups they are available for, there are very few differences between these Railcards. They both offer 1/3 off the price of UK train tickets with identical restrictions for travel routes and times.
The only key difference is that the 16-25 Railcard comes in 1-year and 3-year variants, whereas the 26-30 Railcard is only available as a 1-year Railcard. Those with 26-30 Railcard also tend to save more on average (£258) in comparison to 16-25 Railcard holders (£192).
What are the benefits of a 16-25 Railcard compared to a 16-17 Saver?
The 16-17 Saver Railcard offers a 50% discount on various ticket types, such as Standard Anytime, Standard Off-Peak, Standard Advance, and Season Tickets, allowing for travel at any time of the day. In contrast, the 16-25 Railcard provides a 1/3 discount on Standard Anytime, Standard Off-Peak, Standard Advance, as well as Standard and First Class Advance tickets. Ultimately, the 16-17 Saver provides a bigger discount but can only be used for a shorter amount of time.
How do you use a 16-25 Railcard?
Once you have purchased your 16-25 Railcard, simply select the 'Add Railcard' option when purchasing your train ticket on Trip.com app or at a valid ticket machine. You will need to present your 16-25 Railcard alongside your ticket on the train or when buying a ticket in person.How do you add a 16-25 Railcard to your Oyster card?
Take your Oyster cards and Railcards to a ticket office in any underground or train station, and ask the staff to add your discount entitlement to your Oyster card. This discount will be valid on your Oyster card until the expire date of the Railcard.Can you use the 16-25 Railcard on the London Underground?
Yes, you can receive discounts on the Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and National Rail services with a 16-25 Railcard. To do so, you must add your Railcard to an Oyster card or 18+ Student Oyster photocard, or purchase discounted Off-Peak Day Travelcards, which allow you to travel after 10:00 am on weekdays (09:30 am during July and August), and anytime on weekends and bank holidays, when travelling to London from outside Zones 1-9.Can anyone else use my 16-25 Railcard?
No, the 16-25 Railcard is for personal use only. However, other available Railcards, such as the Family & Friends or Two Together Railcards, allow for discounts for multiple travellers.Does the 16-25 Railcard work during peak times?
Yes, although there is a cheapest fare of £12 for journeys made between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday for your discount to be applied.Where can you use a 16-25 Railcard?
The 16-25 Railcard is valid on most UK train journeys, including National Rail network and most operators in England, Scotland, and Wales. Some restrictions on certain routes and during peak travel times may apply, so make sure you check before travelling.
How do I renew my 16-25 Railcard?
You can only renew your Railcard online. It's especially convenient on the Trip.com app by following the following steps:
Click ‘My Railcards’ on the Trip.com app
Click ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard
Select the best plan for you
What happens to my 16-25 Railcard when I turn 26?
Your 16-25 Railcard remains valid until the date of expiry even after you have turned 26. It is important to note that you will not be able to renew your 16-25 Railcard following your 26th birthday unless you are a mature student (but you can always purchase a 26-30 Railcard to continue receiving 1/3 off train tickets instead).