Railcards over 30?

Harvester963

Currently turning 30 in june next year boo. Since being a student ive always relied on rail cards currently got the 26-30 railcard but it seems there isnt one for over 30s. Anyone know of another system or discount system to mitigate the cost of rail as moving into 30s and above?

Newbie_John

An expensive option is to buy a year train ticket which comes with Annual Gold card which acts as Railcard.
Cheapest option was £152 in 2020:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/cheapest-way-to-get-a-gold-card.198344/post-4664393

Brie

This is one hope....

26-30?

If you’re between 26 and 30 years old, you’re eligible. It’s that simple!

You can buy a National Rail 26-30 Railcard any time before your 31st birthday and keep using it for a whole year, until its expiry date.

So basically you are covered until you're almost 32.  Buy it the last day before you turn 31.  

Otherwise there are family cards and 2 together cards but nothing for single individuals until you double in age.  

Are you eligible - 26-30 Railcard

Emmia

Brie said:

This is one hope....

26-30?

If you’re between 26 and 30 years old, you’re eligible. It’s that simple!

You can buy a National Rail 26-30 Railcard any time before your 31st birthday and keep using it for a whole year, until its expiry date.

So basically you are covered until you're almost 32.  Buy it the last day before you turn 31.  

Otherwise there are family cards and 2 together cards but nothing for single individuals until you double in age.  

Are you eligible - 26-30 Railcard

That's not quite true. If you live in the southeast there's the Network Railcard which offers the 30% off in the Southeast zone. But it isn't, I grant you a national Railcard.

https://www.network-railcard.co.uk/

p00hsticks

The only other option I'm aware of if you have  (or can get) a regular tavelling companion is the Two together Railcard

john1

Students over the age of 30 can apply for a 16-25 Railcard as a mature student if they meet the following criteria: 

• They are enrolled full-time at a recognized college or university 

They study for at least 15 hours a week for at least 20 weeks a year They have a NUS card or college/university photocard They have the mature student section of the 16-25 Railcard application form completed by their college or university 

You can find more information about the 16-25 Railcard for mature students at 16-25railcard.co.uk. 

You must renew your Railcard annually and provide evidence of continuing study. You must also carry your 16-25 Photocard when you present your Railcard. 

Mature students are usually eligible for many of the same discounts as younger students. 

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/railcards/railcards-for-mature-students/

Andy_L

You could join the Reserve forces & get an armed forces railcard & then a veterans railcard

https://www.hmforces-railcard.co.uk/

https://www.veterans-railcard.co.uk/

MilesT6060842

This thread demonstrates the basic inequity of current railcards, which really need a review and simplification. 

My proposal would be a range of overlapping regional railcards that anyone can get in absence of a few more specialist ones (disabled for example, maybe merging TwoTogether and Family), and you could get railcard discounts for longer journeys if you have regional cards that cover the whole trip.

And while there are a few limited options for over 31 and under 60 (completely covered above), there are some regional railcards in parts of the UK which are generally available (including Network, but west of England has one too), and two operators have an over 50 card.