Using your Railcard
Use your Railcard as often as you like but be sure to keep it with you when travelling.
- The Railcard discount is valid for journeys except those made within the London and South East during morning rush hour
- Travel off-peak, but check locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ. This restriction does not apply on public holidays
Your Senior Railcard will save you 1/3 on the cost on the following:
Standard and First Class Anytime tickets (Day, Single or Return)
- Standard and First Class Anytime Day - (Single and Return) tickets must be used on the date shown on your ticket and up to 04:29 the following day.
- Standard and First Class Anytime Single - must be used within 2 days of the date shown on the ticket and up until 04:29 after the last day of validity
- Standard and First Class Anytime Return - your journey out must be made within 5 days and up until 04:29 after the last day of validity, with your return trip being within one calendar month and up until 04:29 after the last day of validity
Standard and First Class Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak (Day, Singles and Return tickets)
These tickets may require you to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route. Always be sure to check the details on your ticket before boarding.
Standard and First Class Advance tickets
These tickets need to be booked before your date of travel
Some ticket types offered by individual train companies
Please enquire locally for details
Express Trains to the Airport
This applies to Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express
Through tickets on RailAir
For travel between Reading and Heathrow Airport
Hop-on, Hop-off Tickets
Discounts are available on PLUSBUS (unlimited bus travel at your origin/destination station on participating operators - visit www.plusbus.info or your local staffed station for further details) and most Rail Rover tickets
Caledonian Sleeper
Discounts available on Club Solo or Classic Solo rooms and seated products
Combined Rail/Sea Journeys
Discounts are available on some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to the Republic of Ireland**
Oyster Cards
Save on the off-peak pay as you go Daily Price Cap and Off-Peak pay as you go single fares when you use your Oyster Card 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 minimum fare of £22.60)
**Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station or on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.
Minimum Fares and Time Restrictions
Avoid the Rush – Travel Off-Peak
Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between stations in the London and South East area. Check locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ. This restriction does not apply on public holidays.
Not every ticket type is available for every journey you may want to make
Make sure you always check before booking. And be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard
There are some exceptions...
There are some tickets and fares that the Senior Railcard won't be valid on, so it's always worth checking before you travel.
The Senior Railcard will not apply to the following:
- Season tickets including Travelcard Season tickets. The good news is these tickets have their own savings – click here for more information on Season Tickets
- Eurostar tickets
- Some Train Company-specific promotional offers
- Tickets for special excursion or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including RailAir services
- Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets (unless using Oyster pay as you go)
If your ticket includes travel on a bus or ferry link your Railcard may offer a smaller discount than the standard 1/3. This is because the bus or ferry operator may have specified a smaller discount or none at all.
Read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard.
Easements on Time Restrictions
Discounts are allowed on trains departing from the stations at the times shown in the table below and are only applied to the ticket types which are normally valid on the train service shown.
Please note that all easements are subject to change, therefore it is recommended that you check with the ticket office staff at your local station before buying or using tickets. The table below was last updated in October 2021.
Origin Station |
Departure Time |
Service |
Easements apply: |
Ascott-under-Wychwood | 07:43 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Combe (Oxfordshire) | 07:58 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Charlbury | 08:31 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Evesham | 07:50 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Finstock | 07:53 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Gatwick Airport | at any time | Gatwick Express service to London Victoria | All Gatwick Express services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria at any time. |
Honeybourne | 07:58 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Hanborough | 07:45 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Kingham | 08:01 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
London Victoria | at any time | Gatwick Express service to Gatwick Airport | All Gatwick Express services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria at any time. |
Moreton-in-Marsh | 08:11 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Pershore | 07:41 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Shipton | 07:41 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Worcester Foregate Street | 07:28 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |
Worcester Shrub Hill | 07:32 | Great Western Railway service to London Paddington | To all destinations |