Frequently Asked Questions?

Most frequently asked questions

• Can I use my 26-30 Railcard at any time of day?
  A:

  Yes, you can. However, a £12 minimum fare applies for all journeys made between 04:30am and 09:59am Monday to Friday, excluding Advance fares. This does not apply on weekends and on Public Holidays.

  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 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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• Will I have to pay the full fare if I forget to bring my Railcard when I travel?
  A:

  Yes. You must show your valid Railcard when you buy your ticket. You also need to have your Railcard with you on each journey and present it to staff when your ticket is checked aboard the train. Failure to present your Railcard will mean you have to pay a full fare or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare.

  A train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year providing you can show that you owned a Railcard before you started your journey.

  Each train company will have their own process for doing this. You will need to provide proof of your Railcard and either the original and additional tickets that you have purchased, or if you have not yet paid, details of the notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare. Where you have already paid for additional tickets you should contact the relevant train company’s customer services department; in the case of a notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare, you should follow the instructions included on how to challenge or appeal the charge.

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• Can I travel on discounted tickets if my Railcard expires before I complete my journey?
  A:

  No. You will not be able to travel with your discounted tickets if your Railcard has expired. Discounted tickets are only valid if you are using them with a valid Railcard. You will need to renew your digital 26-30 Railcard before you begin and complete your journey.

  Click here for the step by step guide on how to renew your Railcard.

  In most cases, you should get your digital 26-30 Railcard download code immediately after you have completed your purchase and your application has been approved. You can then use the code to download your digital 26-30 Railcard to the Railcard app and start using it straight away.

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• 26-30 Railcard Terms and Conditions
  A:

  Please click on https://www.26-30railcard.co.uk/help/railcard-terms-conditions/ for important terms and conditions that you need to understand before you use your Railcard.

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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 most 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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• Which train companies give Railcard discounts?
  A:

  Your Railcard is accepted by all the Train Companies who operate Passenger Railway Services within England, Scotland and Wales. 

  Railcards do not give discounts on Eurostar services, Charter services, and Heritage Railways unless state otherwise.

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

  Your Railcard is accepted by all the Train Companies who operate Passenger Railway Services within England, Scotland and Wales. 

  Railcards do not give discounts on Eurostar services, Charter services, and Heritage Railways unless state otherwise. 

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• Can I use my Railcard on Sleeper Trains?
  A:

  GWR's Night Riveria Sleeper service (between London and the West of England): There are no discounts on Sleeper package products. If you buy a valid train ticket for your journey with a Railcard discount, you can then purchase a Sleeper berth supplement. There is no Railcard discount on the berth supplement.

  Caledonian Sleeper service (between Scotland and London): Discounts don't apply on tickets for travel in Sleeper or Seated accommodation with a route Caledonian Sleeper only. See Caledonian Sleeper website for further information on fares and tickets. 

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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 in Northern Ireland nor 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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• Can I use my Railcard to buy tickets for other people?
  A: No. The Railcard is for your use only, and provides discounts only on tickets bought for your own use. It does not cover anyone accompanying you.

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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 ontrain staff.

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

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