Benefits of the 16-25 Railcard
1/3 Off most rail fares
Who is eligible for the 16-25 Railcard?
There are two different profiles of eligible 16–25 Railcard users:
Standard eligibility: Age 16-25
Anyone between 16 and 25 can apply for a 16–25 Railcard. Your Railcard will be valid for 3 years or 1 year, depending on the card you choose, until your 27th birthday at the latest. You will need a valid form of ID to prove you fit the age requirement.
Special eligibility for mature students
The 16–25 is also valid as a mature student railcard, with over-25s in full-time study being eligible for application. Since TrainPal does not support mature student applications, you will need to fill in a Mature Student form and apply via the official 16–25 Railcard website. Mature students can also choose to apply for a 26–30 Railcard.
Where can I use my 16-25 Railcard?
A 16–25 Railcard is valid for use across the National Rail network – you can use it for train travel in England, Scotland and Wales. It can also be linked to your Oyster card for discounts on London transport: you’ll get 1/3 off Off-Peak pay-as-you-go fares.
The 16–25 Railcard is also open to visitors from abroad as well as Great Britain residents – meaning international students can save on their uni transport too.
How to apply for the 16–25 Railcard: What documents do I need?
- A smartphone with the TrainPal app
- Proof of age: As the 16–25 Railcard is age-dependent, you will need to provide a UK driving licence, passport or National ID
- A digital, passport-style photo is needed for the 16–25 Railcard photo requirements.
The 16–25 Railcard online application can be completed on the TrainPal app for quick and easy processing. So once you have all your documents at hand, head to the app and start your application!
How much can you save with a 16-25 Railcard?
Using a 16–25 Railcard saves you 1/3 on most train travel fares across Great Britain. This amounts to average savings of a whopping £208.00 a year (based on the average savings made by cardholders between April 2024 and March 2025, excluding price of Railcard).
Cardholders save even more with a 3-year Railcard for £80.00 – a saving of £25.00 upfront compared to manually renewing three 1-year Railcards. The 16–25 Railcard discount applies to Standard Anytime, Off-Peak and even Advance tickets – usually the cheapest of the lot – meaning students can cut down on travel expenses and keep their money for when they need it most. Discover the savings you can make with versus without a 16–25 Railcard below.
Ticket types and time restrictions of the 16-25 Railcard
The 16–25 Railcard offers a 1/3 student train discount on most Standard Class rail fares, including Anytime, Off-Peak, Super-Off-Peak and Advance tickets. It is not valid for discounts on Season tickets, and the 16–25 Railcard discount on First Class service is limited to Advance tickets.
This young person's Railcard's main restriction is its £12.00 minimum fare for morning peak hours. This minimum fare applies to journeys starting between 04:30 and 09:59 on weekday mornings – excluding public holidays.
Standard Anytime & Anytime Day (Singles & Returns)
Standard Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak (Singles & Returns)
Standard Advance
First Class Advance
Caledonian Sleeper: seated tickets and Club Solo or Classic Solo rooms.
Gatwick Express
Stansted Express
Heathrow Express
Anytime Day Travelcards: Save when purchased as part of a ticket to London from outside the London Zones 1-9 (subject to a £23.60 minimum fare).
Oyster Card Discounts: Link your Railcard to your Oyster card to save on Off-Peak pay as you go single fares and Daily Price Caps across National Rail, London Underground, Overground, and DLR.
Most Rail Rover tickets
PLUSBUS tickets
Isle of Wight Services: Discounts apply to select rail/sea journeys via Wightlink, Red Funnel Ferries, and Hovertravel (must be part of a journey to/from a National Rail station).
A £12.00 minimum fare applies to all journeys made between 4:30 am and 9:59 am, Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays and during July & August).
Season tickets
Eurostar tickets
First Class fares that aren't booked in advance
Special excursion or Charter trains
Certain coach/bus links, including Railair services
Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets
Understanding the £12.00 minimum fare rule
What is the minimum fare rule?
The minimum fare rule means that the final discounted fare you pay with a 16–25 Railcard cannot be less than £12.00 on weekday morning journeys.
When does the rule apply?
The £12.00 minimum train fare applies to all journeys made between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday. Advance fares are excluded from this 16–25 Railcard restriction, and the minimum fare does not apply on public holidays or during July and August.
Remember, not every ticket type is available for every journey, so make sure to check your options before booking.
| Train route | Full Fare | Railcard price | Is it below the £12.00 minimum? | Final Fare You Pay | Your Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester to Warrington | £8.58 | No discount | | £8.58 | £0.00 |
| London to Birmingham | £43.65 | £29.10* | | £29.10 | £14.55 |
| London to Edinburgh | £141.56 | £94.38* | | £94.38 | £47.18 |
How to buy and use the Digital Railcard on TrainPal
Step 1
Log in or register your TrainPal account
Step 2
Select the Railcard
Step 3
Enter your information
Step 4
Verify with a digital passport-style photo and ID
Step 5
Complete the purchase on TrainPal
Step 6
Activate with any train ticket purchase within 180 days
FAQs about 16-25 Railcard
What is a 16-25 Railcard?
16–25 Railcard is a national railcard for anyone aged 16–25, as well as eligible mature students of any age. It provides a 1/3 discount on most fares and can be purchased at £35.00 for one year or £80.00 for three years.
How do I get a 16-25 Railcard?
You can purchase a 16–25 Railcard online via the official 16–25 Railcard website or at a staffed station ticket office. Online applications require digital proof of age, and offer the choice between 1-year and 3-year Railcards. Only 1-year Railcards are available at stations. Mature students will need to fill in an additional form.
Can you use a 16-25 Railcard on an Oyster card?
Yes, 16–25 Railcards can be linked to Oyster cards. This provides a 1/3 discount on Off-Peak pay-as-you-go within London zones 1–9. This Oyster card discount must be added by staff at a station.
How to get a 16-25 Railcard as an international student?
International students can apply for a 16–25 Railcard via the same process as standard. An international passport can be used as proof of age for online and in-person applications.
When can you use a 16-25 Railcard?
The 16–25 Railcard discount can be used on most fares; however, a £12.00 minimum fare applies on weekday mornings between 04:30 and 09:59. This restriction does not apply on public holidays or during July and August. Advance fares are excluded from the minimum fare rule.
Can you use a 16-25 Railcard on Season tickets?
No, the 16–25 Railcard discount cannot be used on Season tickets.
Can I still renew my 16-25 Railcard when I'm 25?
Yes, you can renew a 1-year Railcard up to the day before your 26th birthday to enjoy a full year of the discount until your 27th birthday. A 3-year Railcard can only be bought before turning 24.
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