Official Railcard Retailers
Save 1/3 on Rail Fares
Ideal for Students
The 16-25 Railcard, also known as the student Railcard or Young Persons Railcard, is one of the most popular ways for young travelers to save money on Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance UK train tickets. Offering a 1/3 discount on most rail fares across Britain, the Railcard is ideal for cutting the cost of everyday travel, university commutes, or memorable weekends away.
The 16-25 Railcard costs just $49.39 for 1 year, but you can also buy a 3-year Railcard for $112.88, with an average saving of $293.48* per year (though there is no limit to the number of times you can use the card)!
We recommend the 16-25 Railcard for:
- Students traveling to/from university or college
- Graduates and young professionals who commute
- Young adults who regularly visit friends and/or family
- Cost-conscious travelers looking to explore the UK
Save on popular journeys with a 16-25 Railcard
Birmingham New Street to London Euston
$8.38 with a Railcard$12.70
Coventry to London Euston
$8.38 with a Railcard$12.70
Newcastle to Durham
$4.19 with a Railcard$6.35
Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston
$20.49 with a Railcard$31.04
Durham to Newcastle
$1.86 with a Railcard$2.82
London Euston to Birmingham New Street
$8.38 with a Railcard$12.70
Why buy your 16-25 Railcard with the Trip.com app?
Regular discounts from Trip.com
Enjoy frequent, exclusive discounts when you buy your digital Railcard on the Trip.com app
All together now
Save time swapping between apps by having your train tickets and Railcard in the same place
Keep your Railcard safe
You can store your digital Railcard on up to two devices that are signed into your Trip.com account. That way, you don't need to worry about forgetting or losing it.
Here's what our users have to say about Railcards
How do I get a 16-25 Railcard
It's easy to start saving with your Railcard if you have the Trip.com app downloaded. If you have the Trip.com app downloaded on your phone, you can start saving today by following these simple steps.
Tap 'Trains'
Open the Trip.com app and access the Trains section via the homepage.
Select 'Buy a Railcard'
You'll find a Railcard button toward the bottom of the page.
Find the right Railcard for you
Take a look at the different types of Railcards available and select your ideal option. Use our sorter above for help!
Purchase your Railcard
Once you've found the right choice for you, enter your personal and payment information and select 'Continue.'
View 'My Railcards'
You can find your Railcard by going into your Account - you're now all set to start saving!
Add your Railcard
Make sure your Railcard is added when booking any train tickets to start enjoying discounts.
Which ticket types can I use my 16-25 Railcard for?
The 16-25 Railcard offers a 1/3 discount on most Off-Peak rail fares for travel across the UK. Below, you will find information on tickets, time restrictions, and available fares.
| Ticket type | Available | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Anytime (Day, Single & Return) | | A minimum fare of £12 applies Monday-Friday between 4:30 AM and 9:30 AM, excluding public holidays. |
| Standard & Super Off-Peak (Day, Single & Return) | | - |
| Standard & First-Class | | - |
| Oyster Cards | | Available on National Rail, London Underground, Overground, and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services. |
| Anytime Day Travelcards | | When bought as part of your ticket to London from outside London Zones 1–9 (subject to a minimum fare of $31.89). |
| Hop-on, Hop-off | | Available on PLUSBUS tickets and most Rail Rover fares. |
| Airport Express trains | | Discounts apply to Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, and Heathrow Express. |
| Caledonian Sleeper | | Discounted tickets are available for Club Solo or Classic Solo rooms and seated products. |
| Combined Rail/Sea Journeys | | Discounts are available on some rail/sea journeys to stations on the Isle of Wight with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries, to and from Ryde Hoverport with Hovertravel services, and to the Republic of Ireland with Stena Line ferries.* |
| Eurostar | | - |
| Season tickets | | - |
16-25 Railcard for mature students
Please note: Trip.com cannot verify the status of a mature student. To purchase the 16-25 Railcard as a mature student, you must buy the Railcard from the official website.
Despite the name of the card, mature students (aged 26 or older) are also eligible for a 16-25 Railcard for each year they are in full-time education.
To apply for a 16-25 Railcard as a mature student, you will have to meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled full-time for over 15 hours a week
- Study for at least 20 weeks a year
- Attend a recognized institution (excluding Open University and distance learning)
This information can be provided via the mature student application form, which must be signed by a tutor, head of department, or administrative staff at your place of education. When signing up, be sure to have your University ID to hand as proof of enrolment.
16-25 Railcard FAQs
Buying and renewing your 16-25 Railcard
What is a 16-25 Railcard?
A 16-25 Railcard is a discount card for young adults and students (also called a Student Railcard) which offers 1/3 off most train fares across the UK. They are available in 1-year and 3-year versions for anyone aged 16-25 and full-time mature students.
How much is a 16-25 Railcard?
A 1-year Railcard is available for £35, while a 3-year Railcard costs £80. Stay tuned for frequent discount Railcard deals (as low as £1!), with Trip.com.
What's the difference between a 16-17 Saver and 16-25 Railcard?
The 16-17 Saver gives you 50% off a wide range of tickets, including Standard Anytime, Standard Off-Peak, Standard Advance, and Season Tickets with no time-of-day restrictions. By comparison, the 16-25 Railcard offers 1/3 off Standard Anytime, Standard Off-Peak, Standard Advance, and both Standard and First Class Advance tickets. In short, the 16-17 Saver offers a larger discount, but it’s only available for persons aged 16–17.
Can I buy a 16-25 Railcard when I’m 25?
You can buy a 1-year 16-25 Railcard right up until the day before your 26th birthday. If you buy it on that day, it will remain valid until the day before your 27th birthday. However, a 3-year 16-25 Railcard can only be purchased up to the day before your 24th birthday.
How do I renew my 16-25 Railcard?
You can easily renew your Railcard online!
- On the Trip.com app, go to "Account", select the settings icon in the top-right corner, and ensure that your country or region is set to the United Kingdom.
- Go to "Home" > "Trains" > "My Railcards".
- Select the option to renew your expired or nearly expired Railcard.
What happens to my 16-25 Railcard when I turn 26?
Your 16-25 Railcard remains valid until its expiry date, even after you turn 26. However, you cannot renew it once you’ve reached 26 unless you qualify as a mature student. Alternatively, you can switch to a 26-30 Railcard to continue getting 1/3 off train tickets.
Using your 16-25 Railcard
How do you use a 16-25 Railcard?
After buying your 16-25 Railcard, just select the "Add Railcard" option when booking your train ticket on the Trip.com app or website. Remember, you'll need to show your 16-25 Railcard along with your ticket when traveling, or when buying a ticket in person.
Does the 16-25 Railcard work during peak times?
Yes, though your discount applies only to fares above the minimum of £12 for journeys made between 4:30 AM and 09:30 AM on weekdays, excluding public holidays.
Can you use a 16-25 Railcard on season tickets?
No, you cannot add a 16-25 Railcard to season tickets.
How do you add a 16-25 Railcard to your Oyster card?
Simply take your Oyster Card and Railcard to a ticket office at any Underground, Overground, or Elizabeth Line station and ask a member of staff to add your Railcard discount to your Oyster card. The discount will remain active on your Oyster Card until your Railcard expires.
Can you use the 16-25 Railcard on the London Underground?
Yes, a 16-25 Railcard can get you discounts on the Tube. To access these discounts, you need to link your Railcard to an Oyster card or buy an Off-Peak Day Travelcard. Off-Peak Travelcards are valid after 9:30 AM on weekdays and at any time on weekends and bank holidays. Railcard discounts on London Travelcards are usually only available when the ticket is bought as part of a National Rail journey from outside London Zones 1–9.
Can anyone else use my 16-25 Railcard?
No, the 16-25 Railcard is for personal use only. If you're looking to save as a group, other options, like the Family & Friends, or Two Together, Railcards, are recommended.
Where can you use a 16-25 Railcard?
The 16-25 Railcard is not restricted by region, meaning you can use the Railcard across almost all UK routes.
Do digital 16-25 Railcards work on older iPhone models with Trip.com?
Yes, as long as your app is up-to-date and your device supports mobile ticketing features.
If I buy a 16-25 Railcard with Trip.com, can I use it with tickets booked on other apps?
Absolutely - your 16-25 Railcard is available across all UK train services and providers. You can apply your Railcard to train bookings made through other channels. Just be sure to have the Trip.com app (where your 16-25 Railcard is stored) ready to present to any ticket inspector when you travel.
