The quickest and easiest way to buy is right here online. All you need is:
A valid passport or UK driving licence to verify your identity
A digital passport-style photo saved to your computer, tablet or mobile phone
A debit or credit card
What happens next?
Digital Railcard: if you buy a digital Railcard, you'll be sent a code and once you download the Railcard app and upload the card onto your phone, you can start using it straight away.
Physical Railcard: we aim to dispatch your Railcard within one working day of you ordering it, but it’s probably best to allow up to five working days for your Railcard to arrive. It’ll be sent out free of charge by UK Mail, but if you prefer, you have the option to pay for Special Delivery.
You’ll need to have your Railcard with you to be able to get a discount on your rail ticket, so be sure to leave enough time before your journey for the Railcard to reach you.
If you're a mature student, please allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be approved.
Travelling today? You’re better off buying a digital Railcard or over the counter at a staffed National Rail station.
At a Staffed Station Ticket Office
You can buy a 16-25 Railcard at any staffed station ticket office or National Rail-licensed Travel Agent. You can do it on the day you are travelling, just ensure the ticket office is open.
If you're applying at a station for the first time you'll need to complete an application form. There are usually application forms available at stations, but in order to save time it’s a good idea to fill in the form before you get there. You can print and fill in the application form which is available to download here and bring the form alongside either of the following:
Your birth certificate
Passport (all nationalities accepted)
UK driving licence
National identity card
You'll also need:
A passport-size photo
Proof of eligibility if applying as a mature student please check here for details
If you're renewing your Railcard, you'll need to fill in the application form, and take your existing Railcard and Photocard. These are automatically accepted as proof of your age. If you are renewing an online Railcard at a station you will need proof of age as above.
Once you've bought your Railcard at a station, you can then register it online. This will make it easier for you to renew or buy other cards online.
By Phone
You can get your Railcard over the phone. Call our telesales service on 0345 3000 250 (0700hrs to 2200hrs every day except Christmas Day). Calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02) and may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes. Please note, you’ll also need to submit your photo via email.
