Frequently Asked Questions?

Most frequently asked questions

• Can I use my Railcard for tickets for travel on the London Underground?
  A:

  With your Railcard you can get 1/3 off Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your journey to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to a minimum fare which is currently £22.60).
   
  With an Oyster card, you can get your Railcard discount loaded onto your Oyster card to save 1/3 on single off-peak pay as you go fares on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services in London. You will need to have registered your Oyster in your name to do this. Simply take your Oyster card and valid Railcard to a London Underground station and ask a member of staff to set the discount for you. You can also get the discount set at Oyster Ticket Shops and Visitor Centres.

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• Can I use the Railcard to travel anywhere?
  A:

  The Veterans Railcard is valid in England, Wales and Scotland.

   

   

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• Can I use my Railcard on any Train Company?
  A:

  Special excursions and charters are excluded.

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• Can I use my Veterans Railcard at any time of day?
  A:

  Yes, you can. However, a £12 minimum fare applies to all journeys made between 04:30am and 09:59am Monday to Friday, excluding Advance fares, on Public Holidays or throughout July and August.

  If you travel regularly before 10:00am, then a weekly or monthly season ticket may be more appropriate, though you won’t be able to get a Railcard discount.

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• Can I use my Railcard in conjunction with Train Company special offers?
  A:

  Yes. You can use it with the 2FOR1 Days Out Guide promotions and some offers given by train companies. Please note that your Railcard may get you the full 1/3 discount on some Train Company special offers, but many offers include a smaller discount or no discount at all. It's best to ask at your local station for details of a specific offer, or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.

  Alternatively, you can visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.

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• Can I use my Railcard to buy my ticket on the train rather than at a station?
  A:

  Only if there is no ticket office, or the ticket office is closed and there is no ticket machine available to buy your discounted ticket at the station at which you began your journey.  If this is the case, you can buy your discounted ticket from on train staff.

  Otherwise, if ticket facilities were available at the station you could be charged the full price Standard Single fare.

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• Can I use my Railcard on the date of expiry?
  A:

  Yes. Your Railcard is valid up until and including the date shown on your Railcard.

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• Can I use my Railcard to buy tickets for other people?
  A:

  Yes. You as the cardholder can buy tickets for your named companion and up to four children as long as they are travelling with you.

  Discounted price tickets purchased by a Veterans Railcard holder should be issued for travel for the same origin and destination and should normally be of the same ticket type (example all Off-Peak Returns). 

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• Can I use the Railcard in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland?
  A:

  Railcards can be used for rail discounts in the area known as Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). They cannot be used for rail travel in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

  If you live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland you can buy a Railcard to use for travelling in Scotland, Wales or England. For more information on concessionary rail travel schemes in Northern Ireland please see www.translink.co.uk  or the Republic of Ireland please see www.irishrail.ie.

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• Will I receive the Railcard discount on any chargeable items I take on the train with me?
  A:

  The Railcard discount does not cover charges on various articles or animals.

  For details about which items carry a charge, and details of the charges, please call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50

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• Can I get a discount on Season tickets and period Travelcards with a Railcard?
  A: No, we’re sorry but the Railcard gives no discount on these types of ticket.

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• Can I reserve my seat if booking a ticket in advance?
  A:

  Yes, providing that there are reservations available on the service on which you are travelling. Many train companies will allow you to reserve a seat free of charge on longer distance journeys.

  Please check with the local ticket office staff before buying tickets.

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