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If you travel regularly by train, perhaps because you’re still commuting, or you regularly visit family and friends but prefer not to drive, rail fares can take a big chunk out of your monthly budget.
Even though rail fares have been frozen across England until March 2027, advance tickets and some operator-set unregulated fares, which make up over half of all tickets, can still rise. This means that the cost of even short journeys can be prohibitively expensive, especially if you need to travel at peak times.
However, if you’re aged 50 or 60 and above, there are several railcards that are available which enable you to benefit from either free or discounted travel. It pays to read the small print though, as there may be restrictions as to when you can travel and, while some cards are free, others you have to pay for. Here’s everything you need to know about railcards for over-50s and 60s.
Senior Railcard
If you are over 60 and a frequent rail traveller, you may want to consider buying a Senior Railcard from National Rail. This will save you a third on train fares for a year across the National Rail network in England, Scotland, and Wales, with the exception of some morning peak services within the London and South East Network Railcard area. Having the card also provides you with access to special deals from Railcard partners. For example, at the time of writing you could get a free Club Gin Craft Taster Box worth £35 (you only need to cover postage costs), £50 to spend at Virgin Wines, and up to 50% off theatre tickets.
How much does it cost?
The Senior Railcard costs £35 for one year and £80 for three years, so buying the longer-length card will save you £25 compared to buying a card each year for three years. According to the National Rail website, Senior Railcard users save up to £112 per year on average, or £5.25 per journey.
How do I apply?
You can apply for a Senior Railcard online at National Rail using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID. Alternatively, you can apply for the card in person at most staffed railway stations – remember to take ID.
Are there any restrictions?
The Senior Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between stations in the London and South East area. It’s worth checking locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ depending on where you’re travelling from. This restriction does not apply on public holidays.
What if I’m not 60 yet?
If you’re over 50 but not yet 60, you may want to look at other Railcard options such as the Two Together Railcard if you travel regularly with someone else. This card also entitles you to a third off fares.
Two Together Railcard
You can only use the Two Together card to obtain a discount if you and the other named cardholder are travelling together for the entire journey. The card, which costs £35 for a year, can be used at any time on weekends and public holidays on rail transport throughout Great Britain, and from 10:00am Monday to Friday.
If you regularly travel by train to or in the capital, you can’t use your Two Together Railcard to get discounts on Oyster Pay As You Go or tickets bought from London Underground retailers. However, you can buy discounted rail tickets for a journey which involves a cross London journey using the Underground to travel between two London mainline train stations. Learn more about and apply for the Two Together Railcard at Two Together Railcard.
60+ Oyster Card
If you are over 60 and you live in any London borough, you can apply for a 60+ Oyster Card, which will allow you to use all public transport in the capital free of charge. You can use the card on buses, tubes, trams, the Dockland Light Railway, London Overground, most of the Elizabeth line, and most National Rail services in London. The card also entitles you to discounted fares on river services and on Santander bicycle hire.
How much does it cost?
There’s a one-off charge of £35 for the 60+ Oyster Card. There is also a £18 annual fee and you’ll need to provide evidence each year that you still live in a London borough.
How do I apply?
You can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard two weeks before your 60th birthday. You can apply online at Transport for London.
When applying, you’ll need an email address, details from a valid passport or your valid UK driving licence (full or provisional), along with a colour image of your passport showing your photo, personal details and passport number. You’ll also need a clear, unaltered colour digital photo of you which is a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file and less than 6MB. Finally, you must have a debit or credit card registered at your address to confirm you live in a London borough and pay your £20 application fee.
If you don’t have these, you’ll still need to apply online but you’ll be able to print out a verification letter which you can then take to your local Post Office who should be able to help you complete your application. Remember to take proof of your age, such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of your address, such as a recent utility bill.
If you have any problems applying online or proving your age or address at a Post Office, you can contact Transport for London Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm on 0343 222 1234.
Are there any restrictions?
You won’t be able to use your 60+ Oyster Card on Transport for London or National Rail services between 4:30-9am, Monday to Friday. If you’re travelling on the Elizabeth Line, you can’t use your 60+ card between West Drayton and Reading.
Freedom Pass
The five-year Freedom Pass is available to London residents who are aged over 66 and entitles you to free public transport across the capital and on local buses across England. It is a separate scheme to the 60+ Oyster scheme.
You become eligible for an older person’s Freedom Pass on your 66th birthday, however, you can start the application process for the Pass 14 days before your 66th birthday. To qualify, you must live at a London address, and this needs to be your main residence, which means you must live there most of the time.
How much does it cost?
The Freedom Pass is free, although if you lose your card you may have to pay for a replacement at a typical cost of £14.35.
How do I apply?
You can apply online at London Councils for your Freedom Pass. You’ll need your email address, complete name and home address, proof of your name and age, proof of your residential status in London, and a colour photograph of yourself.
Cards are sent out by second-class post and may take up to 10 working days to reach you. If you still haven’t received your Freedom Pass after 10 working days, you should email [email protected] or call the Freedom Pass helpline on 0300 330 1433.
Are there any restrictions?
You can travel free on Transport for London services, including buses, tubes and trams, with your Freedom Pass anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holidays. If you move out of London, you’ll no longer be eligible for a Freedom Pass.
ScotRail Club 50
If you are over 50 and live in Scotland, then you may want to consider a ScotRail Club 50 Card. This enables you to save 20% on any off-peak train tickets bought online in advance. The card also gives you access to time-limited flat fares anywhere in Scotland throughout the year. You’ll also save 50% on hot and cold drinks on board.
How much does it cost?
The Club 50 card costs £15 a year.
How do I apply?
You need to register for a free Smartcard when you apply for the ScotRail Club 50 card. To do this, you’ll need an email address and a recent (passport quality) photo. You can only sign up for the card online at ScotRail.
Your Club 50 Smartcard will arrive in the post within no more than five working days, ready to use. You’ll be required to carry proof of age with you when travelling to validate your ticket.
Are there any restrictions?
The ScotRail Club 50 card does not provide discounts on ‘London North Eastern Railway only’ and ‘CrossCountry only’ fares.
Bear in mind that discounts are bigger when you buy Off-Peak and Advance tickets online. You’ll need to select ‘Club 50 Web’ from the list of Railcards for your 20% online discount. If you want to buy Off-Peak and Advance tickets at the station, or over the phone instead, you’ll only save 10% on fares. Make sure you ask for the Club 50 discount when buying.
Greater Anglia and Stansted Express Club 50
You can use the Greater Anglia and Stansted Express Club 50 railcard to save on Off-Peak and Advance tickets for Standard or First Class Greater Anglia trains. This Club 50 card can also be used for certain Stansted Express ticket types, excluding their Advance ticket. Discounts are only available for Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services. You’ll receive 20% savings on Off-Peak and Advance fares online and 10% savings on Off-Peak and Advance fares if you’re buying tickets at the station.
How much does it cost?
The Greater Anglia Club 50 Railcard costs £20 a year.
How do I apply?
You can buy your Greater Anglia Club 50 card online at Club 50 Railcard. You cannot buy your card more than 10 days in advance. You’ll be sent your Club 50 railcard via Royal Mail 1st class post but if you need the card before it arrives, you can use your Order Confirmation email as a temporary card until the card turns up.
The card should arrive within five working days, so if you haven’t received yours by then, contact National Rail on 0345 600 7245 and choose option 6.
Are there any restrictions?
Yes, the Club 50 railcard cannot be used before 10 am on weekdays, although it can be used at any time on weekends and bank holidays. You can’t use the Club 50 card to buy Advance Stansted Express tickets.
60+ SmartPass and Senior (65+) SmartPass
To apply for a 60+ SmartPass you must be aged between 60 and 64 and have been permanently resident in Northern Ireland for at least three months. To apply for a Senior (65+) SmartPass you must be aged 65+ and have been permanently resident in Northern Ireland for a minimum of three months.
How much does it cost?
There’s currently a one-off application charge of £20 for the SmartPass and £12 for the Senior (65+) SmartPass. The cards are generally valid for five years.
How do I apply?
You can get an application form either by calling in person at any manned Translink bus or rail station, by phoning 028 9066 6630 and asking for a form to be posted to you. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] and ask for the type of application form you require (for example, 60+, or Senior 65+) to be posted to you.
Once you’ve completed your application form you must take it, in person, to your nearest Translink bus or rail station along with a countersigned passport-sized photograph. You’ll also need documents to prove your age and residency, such as a passport or driving licence and a recent utility or council tax bill.
It can take up to four weeks for applications to be processed. If you’re applying for the 60+ SmartPass, you must wait until at least six weeks before your 60th birthday. If you’re applying for the 65+ SmartPass, you can only submit your form up to four weeks before your 65th birthday.
Are there any restrictions?
The 60+ SmartPass is only valid for free travel within Northern Ireland, while the Senior (65+) SmartPass allows free travel throughout all of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on services run by participating operators. You can find more information on the participating operators in the Republic of Ireland on the Free travel in Ireland website.
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