Getting one
Who can get a 16-25 Railcard?
Anyone aged 16 to 25 can get a 16-25 Railcard — and so can mature students aged 26 or over in full-time education. The age cut-offs for the 1-year and 3-year cards, the rules for mature students, and the ID you need.
On this page
At a glance
- Anyone aged 16 to 25 can buy one, plus full-time mature students aged 26 or over.
- The 1-year card can be bought or renewed up to The day before your 26th birthday — and if you buy it at 25 you can use it for the full year.
- The 3-year card has to be bought Before your 24th birthday, and it runs out the day before your 27th birthday.
- Mature students can only have the 1-year card, need their college or university to endorse the form, and Open University, distance learning and part-time courses don’t count.
The short answer
The 16-25 Railcard is open to anyone aged 16 to 25. You don’t have to be a student — it’s based on your age. It’s also open to mature students aged 26 or over who are in full-time education, under extra rules (below).
The age cut-offs
There are two cards, and each has its own deadline.
| Card | Last chance to buy | When it runs out |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year | The day before your 26th birthday (you can renew up to then too) | A year after it starts |
| 3-year | Before your 24th birthday | The day before your 27th birthday |
Turning 26 during your card’s year? That’s fine. If you were 25 when you bought a 1-year card, you can keep using it for the whole year, even after your 26th birthday.
Mature students (26 and over)
If you’re 26 or older, you can still get a 16-25 Railcard if you’re a full-time student. The rules:
- You can only buy the 1-year card — not the 3-year one.
- Your course must be at a recognised college or university for more than 15 hours a week, for at least 20 weeks a year.
- Open University, distance learning and part-time courses don’t qualify.
- You fill in the Mature Student section of the application form, and your college or university has to complete and endorse it.
- For photo ID you can use an NUS card or your college or university photocard.
- Approval can take up to 5 working days, so apply in good time.
- You have to show you’re still a student every time you renew.
What you need to apply
When you buy online you prove your age with one of these:
- a passport
- a UK driving licence (a provisional licence is fine)
- an EEA national identity card
You’ll also need a digital passport-style photo.
Buying one for someone else
Parents, this one’s for you: you can buy a 16-25 Railcard online for another eligible person by choosing “The Railcard is for someone else”. The card is still theirs alone, though. Only the named holder can use it, and a railcard can’t be used to get cheaper tickets for anyone else.
If you’re 16 or 17
You can have a 16-25 Railcard at 16 or 17, but there’s also a separate card just for this age: the 16-17 Saver. It gives 50% off — including Season tickets — in England and Wales, and costs £35. Since 17 August 2026 it stays valid for 12 months from when you buy it, instead of stopping at your 18th birthday. More in other railcards for 16-17s and 26-30s.
Sources
Checked 17 October 2026. We wrote this guide from these sources, in our own words:
- 16-25 Railcard (official site) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard: are you eligible? (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- 16-25 Railcard: renew or replace (official) (16-25railcard.co.uk)
- Trainline: 16-25 Railcard (thetrainline.com)
- Department for Transport: changes to the 16-17 Saver (3 August 2026) (gov.uk)
We are an independent guide, not the official Railcard website. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.