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Senior Railcard

Save 1/3 on most rail fares with a Senior Railcard

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Do you like to travel for less? Well, that's a bit of a silly question because who wouldn't? Senior Railcards are a railcard dedicated to over 60s that give cardholders massive savings across their rail travel.

So whether you're travelling across town or hopping to the other side of the country, give yourself a little back. If you're planning a trip, discover some of our favourite destinations.

How to buy a Senior Railcard?

You can buy your Senior Railcard online or in person at a staffed station. If you're not sure how or what's best for you, find our how-to guides below!

How to buy your Senior Railcard online

Getting your Senior Railcard online has never been simpler. With a few simple clicks, you'll have your Railcard ready to go straight away.

  1. Visit the Senior Railcard Site
  2. Click 'Buy Now
  3. Select the appropriate options and follow the on-page instructions. 
  4. To verify your date of birth, you'll need to provide:

        • A valid passport
        • A UK driving licence
        • Or a National Identity number
  5. You'll also need a digital passport-style photo to purchase a digital Railcard.

How to buy your Senior Railcard at the station

You can also buy a Senior Railcard at any staffed station ticket office or National Rail-licensed Travel Agent. The main advantage of this is that you can do it on the day you travel.

  1. To save time, it’s a good idea to fill in the application form before you get there.
  2. Bring one of the following:

        • A valid debit or credit card
        • Proof of eligibility (Birth Certificate, UK Driving Licence, Passport, National Identity card)
  3. Once you've bought your Railcard at a station, you can register it online. This will make it easier for you to renew or purchase other cards online.

How to use a Senior Railcard

Once you've got your Railcard ordered and in hand, you can start to travel! Applying your discount has never been easier - it only takes a few extra clicks.

When buying your train tickets through the CrossCountry site or through the CrossCountry mobile app, follow these simple steps to claim your discount.

  1. Put in your origin and destination as normal
  2. Click on the railcard drop-down menu
  3. Select Senior Railcard and submit your order
  4. On your day of travel, collect your ticket and bring your railcard with you

If you're purchasing your tickets at the station, there will be a railcard option on the ticket machine, or the staff at the desk will be able to apply the railcard discount too.

Types Senior Railcards

Depending on what's best for you, you can decide whether you'd like to have your Railcard digitally or a plastic card. They're really to use, but you just have to bear in mind that whenever you travel with your discounted tickets, you'll need to have your railcard present.

Digital Senior Railcards

A digital Railcard sits within the Railcard app on your smartphone or tablet, meaning wherever your mobile goes, your Railcard goes - there's no need to carry a physical card on all your journeys. They're great if you want to use your Railcard immediately, as there's no need to wait for your card to be sent in the post.

If you buy a digital Railcard, you'll be sent a code, and once you download the Railcard app and upload the card onto your phone, you can start using it straight away.

Plastic Senior Railcards

If a digital railcard isn't up your street, don't worry. You can get a plastic railcard sent to you in the post. You just have to bear in mind that whenever you travel with your discounted tickets, you'll need to have your plastic Railcard present.

National Rail aims to dispatch your Railcard within one working day of ordering it, but it's probably best to allow up to five working days for your Railcard to arrive.

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