16-25 Railcard, 1 year
£35
The same price whether you choose a digital or a plastic card. Sold online and at staffed station ticket offices.
Source: 16-25 Railcard (official site) · 16-25 Railcard: benefits (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Key figures
16-25 Railcard key figures
Prices, the discount, age limits and the other numbers that matter — each with who or where it applies to, its source and the date we last checked it.
16-25 Railcard, 3 years
£80
The official site says that’s £25 less than three 1-year cards. Mature students can’t buy the 3-year card.
Source: 16-25 Railcard (official site) · 16-25 Railcard: benefits (official) · 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
The discount
1/3 off
Including Advance fares. Some tickets get no discount — see which tickets it works on.
Source: 16-25 Railcard (official site) · 16-25 Railcard: using your Railcard (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Weekday morning minimum fare
£12
The railcard can’t take a fare below £12 at these times. It doesn’t apply to Advance fares, on public holidays, or at all in July and August. The terms say the amount can change.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: using your Railcard (official) · 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Last day to buy or renew a 1-year card
The day before your 26th birthday
Buy it at 25 and you can use it for the full year, even after you turn 26. Mature students (26+) in full-time education can still buy the 1-year card.
Source: 16-25 Railcard (official site) · 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Last chance to buy a 3-year card
Before your 24th birthday
The homepage and terms say “the day before” your 24th birthday; one line in the official FAQ says “the week before” — check when you buy. The card then expires the day before your 27th birthday.
Source: 16-25 Railcard (official site) · 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official) · 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Mature students: course needed
More than 15 hours a week, 20+ weeks a year
Full-time at a recognised college or university. Open University, distance learning and part-time courses don’t qualify. 1-year card only.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: are you eligible? (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Minimum fare for an Anytime Day Travelcard with the discount
£23.60
This is the figure on the official “Using your Railcard” page and in the FAQ. The 16-25 homepage showed £19.10 when we checked, so check the official site.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: using your Railcard (official) · 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official) · 16-25 Railcard (official site)
Checked 17 October 2026
Replacing a lost or damaged card
£10
Free if the card was stolen and you have a police crime reference number. Changing your name also costs £10.
Source: 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official) · 16-25 Railcard: lost or stolen (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
When you can renew online
Up to 30 days before it runs out
Cards bought at a station can’t be renewed online.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: renew or replace (official) · 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Phones a digital card can be on
Up to 2 at a time
Moving it to a new phone is free, but the official FAQ warns that changing devices too often can get a card blocked.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official) · 16-25 Railcard: digital Railcard (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Claiming back after forgetting your card
Normally once a year
If you had to pay extra because you didn’t have your Railcard, train companies normally let you claim the difference back once a year, if you can show you held a valid card before the journey.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: FAQs (official) · 16-25 Railcard: renew or replace (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Average saving per journey (official claim)
£4.93
The official site’s figure, footnoted as based on 16-25 Railcard holders.
Source: 16-25 Railcard (official site) · 16-25 Railcard: benefits (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Average yearly saving (official claim, all railcards)
£212
Not specific to the 16-25 Railcard, and it doesn’t take off the price of the card.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: benefits (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Current Railcard conditions run until
8 March 2027
The train companies can change the conditions and aim to give three months’ notice.
Source: 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions (official)
Checked 17 October 2026
Penalty Fare in England
£100 + the full single fare
Reduced to £50 plus the fare if paid within 21 days. In Wales it is £20 or twice the full single fare, whichever is more. From a secondary source — check with the train company.
Source: Penalty fare (Wikipedia)
Checked 17 October 2026
16-17 Saver (a different railcard)
£35
Half price, including Season tickets. Since 17 August 2026 it stays valid for 12 months from purchase.
Source: 16-25 Railcard: are you eligible? (official) · Railcards (official site for all railcards) · Department for Transport: changes to the 16-17 Saver (3 August 2026)
Checked 17 October 2026