Getting one
Other railcards for 16-17s and 26-30s
Before and after the 16-25 Railcard there are two other cards to know about — the 16-17 Saver, which gives half price, and the digital-only 26-30 Railcard.
On this page
At a glance
- The 16-17 Saver costs £35 and gives 50% off — including Season tickets — in England and Wales.
- Since 17 August 2026 a 16-17 Saver lasts 12 months from when you buy it, instead of ending at 18.
- After 25, the 26-30 Railcard also costs £35 for a third off — but it’s digital only.
- Mature students aged 26+ in full-time education can still get the 16-25 Railcard.
Three cards, three age groups
| Card | Who | Price | Discount | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-17 Saver | Ages 16–17 | £35 a year | 50% off, including Season tickets | England and Wales only |
| 16-25 Railcard | Ages 16–25, and full-time mature students | £35 a year or £80 for 3 years | A third off most fares | Great Britain |
| 26-30 Railcard | Ages 26–30 | £35 a year | A third off | Digital only; £12 weekday morning minimum fare |
If you’re 16 or 17
The 16-17 Saver gives half off rather than a third — and, unlike the 16-25 Railcard, it works on Season tickets, which can matter if you travel to school, college or work every day. It covers England and Wales only.
Since 17 August 2026 the 16-17 Saver stays valid for 12 months from the day you buy it, instead of stopping at your 18th birthday (the Department for Transport announced the change on 3 August 2026).
When you turn 26
You can buy or renew a 1-year 16-25 Railcard right up to The day before your 26th birthday, and keep using it for the whole year. After that, the next step is the 26-30 Railcard: £35 a year for a third off, digital only, and it has the same kind of £12 weekday morning minimum fare.
If you’re 26 or over and still in full-time education, you can stay on the 16-25 Railcard as a mature student — see who can get one.
Other railcards
There are other national railcards — for example Two Together, the Network Railcard and the Disabled Persons Railcard. Prices and rules for all of them are on the official railcard site.
Sources
Checked 17 October 2026. We wrote this guide from these sources, in our own words:
- 16-25 Railcard: are you eligible? (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- Railcards (official site for all railcards) (railcard.co.uk)
- Department for Transport: changes to the 16-17 Saver (3 August 2026) (gov.uk)
- 26-30 Railcard (official) (26-30railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
We are an independent guide, not the official Railcard website. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.