Got a 16-25 Railcard? Travel on the cheap anytime in July and August

Former_MSE_Lawrence

What's the deal?

It's common knowledge now that the £24/year 16-25 railcard's a decent buy if you travel often and fit the requirements, as it gets you a third off all off-peak rail travel in Britain.

Yet the problem comes if you want to travel peak time, as there's a minimum fare that applies, meaning you often won't save. During July and August however the 'minimum fare' price is dropped, so you can travel on the cheap before 9:30AM too; a boon given current standard prices.

Who's this for?

This is for 16-25 railcard holders that usually travel on tickets that cost less than £8 after the railcard discount. If yours costs more, it'll make no odds.

How it works:

Generally, if you travel before 9:30AM with a railcard the minimum fare is £8. So, if you want a ticket that costs less, you can't get a discount at all (in fact, try to get the railcard discount at a machine and it'll boost the ticket cost up to £8, no matter how much cheaper it actually is).

July and August effect an annual temporary change in the goodwill of the train operators (they say it's kindly done for the student break, though it's more likely they've lower demand), and they drop the minimum fare requirement for 16-25 railcard holders completely (on most tickets anyway, see below). So, you can leave earlier and still get a third off. This is about as kind as train companies get, so enjoy it!

Exceptions:

For London Travelcards, the minimum fare isn't entirely scrapped for this period, but it is thankfully reduced from £8 to a more palatable £4.80.

If you've got any other top railcard tips, do please add them below! Also, for full train cost-cutting tips, read the full Cheap Trains article.

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Thomask

I have a couple of questions:

1. Does this include the discounted cap a railcard holder gets on zones 1 and 2 when starting their journey in offpeak? It is currently £3.10. Could I start my journey in July/August prior to 9.30am and still only pay a maximium of £3.10 for travelling in zones 1 and 2?

2. When TFL refers to 'starting' your journey, does this include buses? Whether it's July/August or even November, if I take a bus at 9am then my first tube ride at 9.31am have I effectively started my day during the off-peak period?

Thanks

dzug1

Thomask wrote: »

I have a couple of questions:

1. Does this include the discounted cap a railcard holder gets on zones 1 and 2 when starting their journey in offpeak? It is currently £3.10. Could I start my journey in July/August prior to 9.30am and still only pay a maximium of £3.10 for travelling in zones 1 and 2?

2. When TFL refers to 'starting' your journey, does this include buses? Whether it's July/August or even November, if I take a bus at 9am then my first tube ride at 9.31am have I effectively started my day during the off-peak period?

Thanks

AFAIK TFL haven't changed their rules, only National Rail. So before 0930 would be peak. It does include buses.

ellie_jane_2

Great news! I was just thinking about getting a Railcard and as I get the train to work this is even more incentive.

I have one question though:

- For work, I often buy a 'season ticket' which is valid for a week. Does anyone know if the discount will apply to this ticket as well?

Thanks!

Nicolak_2

My son works in Birmingham and buys a monthly train pass for our local line.He's almost 18 and goes to college one day a week too. Would he be eligible for 16 -25 pass or is just for people travelling long distances? he gets the train before 8am and returns between 5 and 6pm.

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

Nicolak wrote: »

My son works in Birmingham and buys a monthly train pass for our local line.He's almost 18 and goes to college one day a week too. Would he be eligible for 16 -25 pass or is just for people travelling long distances? he gets the train before 8am and returns between 5 and 6pm.

Thanks!

It is for anyone between 16-25 plus mature students or people with ISIC cards and he IS elligible.


on the subject of ISIC cards and Railcards you cant get a railcard if you are a mature open university student because you are PT....HOWEVER if you do 60 or more credits per year you are elligible for an ISIC card (http://www.statravel.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/uk_division_web_live/hs.xsl/ISIC-card.htm) for £9. Take the ISIC card along to a railway station and you can get a 16-25 railcard (http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/where-can-i-buy-one).

dzug1

ellie_jane wrote: »

Great news! I was just thinking about getting a Railcard and as I get the train to work this is even more incentive.

I have one question though:

- For work, I often buy a 'season ticket' which is valid for a week. Does anyone know if the discount will apply to this ticket as well?

Thanks!

Railcard discounts do not apply to season tickets

dzug1

Nicolak wrote: »

My son works in Birmingham and buys a monthly train pass for our local line.He's almost 18 and goes to college one day a week too. Would he be eligible for 16 -25 pass or is just for people travelling long distances? he gets the train before 8am and returns between 5 and 6pm.

Thanks!

He's eligible but would be subject (normally) to the minimum fare rules so it might not actually help. It would not help with the monthly pass either - only daily tickets.

gavhen

flexiblefish wrote: »

It is for anyone between 16-25 plus mature students or people with ISIC cards and he IS elligible.


on the subject of ISIC cards and Railcards you cant get a railcard if you are a mature open university student because you are PT....HOWEVER if you do 60 or more credits per year you are elligible for an ISIC card (http://www.statravel.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/uk_division_web_live/hs.xsl/ISIC-card.htm) for £9. Take the ISIC card along to a railway station and you can get a 16-25 railcard (http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/where-can-i-buy-one).

or for people with a natwest student account who appear to have forgotten that you're over 25 and have graduated this year. received mine unexpectedly through the post this morning - bonus moneysaving!!