Independent guide — not the official Railcard website and not connected to National Rail, the Rail Delivery Group or train companies. Buy railcards from the official railcard site.

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Using it

Digital or plastic: carrying your railcard and the rules on the train

How the digital 16-25 Railcard works — the app, offline use, two phones, flat batteries — and the rules that apply to every railcard when you travel.

  • Checked 17 October 2026
  • 2 min read
  • 4 sources
On this page

At a glance

  • A digital card lives in the free Railcard app (iOS 14.0+ or Android 7.0+) and works offline once downloaded.
  • It can be on up to two devices at a time, and moving it to a new phone is free.
  • A flat battery is no excuse — you’re treated as if you’d forgotten your railcard.
  • You can’t switch between digital and plastic until you renew.

The Railcard app

A digital 16-25 Railcard is kept in the free official Railcard app. It needs iOS 14.0 or later or Android 7.0 or later (Windows Phone isn’t supported).

  • After you buy, you get a download code by email to add the card to the app.
  • Once it’s downloaded, it works offline — you only need the internet to buy it or to add it to a new device.
  • If you bought your railcard from Trainline, it lives in the Trainline app instead, not the Railcard app.

Phones and devices

  • A digital card can be on up to two devices at a time.
  • To add another, remove one first: go to “Manage my Railcard” > “Details” > “Manage Digital Devices”, then ask for a new download code.
  • New phone, or lost your old one? You can move the card at no charge.
  • But don’t overdo it: the official FAQ warns that “excessive device changing can result in a Railcard being blocked”.

Flat battery = forgotten railcard

Staff can ask to see your railcard at any time, and a digital card must be available on your phone for the whole journey. If your phone dies, that’s no excuse — the forgotten-railcard rules apply, which can mean paying the full fare or a Penalty Fare. See lost, stolen or forgotten.

Switching format

You can’t switch between plastic and digital while a card is running, and you can’t hold both at once. When you renew online, you can choose the other format.

Rules for every railcard, digital or plastic

  • You must carry a valid railcard when you travel and show it when asked.
  • Only the named holder can use it — railcards can’t be transferred, lent or resold.
  • You can’t use your railcard to get cheaper tickets for other people.
  • If someone else uses your railcard for their discount, they face the same consequences as a forgotten card.
  • Misuse or fraud can lead to prosecution.

Sources

Checked 17 October 2026. We wrote this guide from these sources, in our own words:

  1. 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
  2. 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
  3. 16-25 Railcard: digital Railcard (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
  4. Trainline: 16-25 Railcard (thetrainline.com)

We are an independent guide, not the official Railcard website. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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