Renewals & problems
Renewing your 16-25 Railcard
You can renew a 16-25 Railcard online up to 30 days before it runs out, or renew a 1-year card at a staffed ticket office. What to do if you bought it at a station, and what changes after your 26th birthday.
On this page
At a glance
- Renew online Up to 30 days before it runs out: log in, check your details and pay.
- A card bought at a station can’t be renewed online — buy a new one instead, ideally once the old one has run out.
- You can renew a 1-year card at a staffed ticket office.
- After your 26th birthday you can only renew as a mature student.
Renewing online
If you bought your card online, you can renew it up to 30 days before it expires:
- Log in to your account on the official 16-25 Railcard site.
- Check your details are still right.
- Pay.
When you renew online you can also switch format — from plastic to digital or the other way round.
If you bought it at a station
A railcard bought at a station can’t be renewed online. Instead, create an account and buy a new card online — ideally once the old one has expired, so you don’t lose any days. Or renew a 1-year card at a staffed ticket office.
Age limits when renewing
- You can renew a 1-year card up to The day before your 26th birthday.
- The 3-year card has to be bought Before your 24th birthday.
- After your 26th birthday you can only renew as a mature student — and mature students have to show they’re still a student every time they renew. See who can get one.
- If you’re moving on, the 26-30 Railcard is the next step.
Don’t let it lapse before a trip
You can’t get the discount until your new card has arrived, and if you travel without a valid one you pay full fare. If your card is about to run out and you’re travelling soon, renew early, or choose digital, which usually arrives straight away.
Thinking about the 3-year card?
If you’re under 24 and renewing anyway, it’s worth comparing: £80 for three years against £35 a year. The official site says that’s £25 less than three 1-year cards. See 1-year or 3-year.
Sources
Checked 17 October 2026. We wrote this guide from these sources, in our own words:
- 16-25 Railcard: renew or replace (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard: where to buy (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard (official site) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard: are you eligible? (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
We are an independent guide, not the official Railcard website. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.