How to Get a Free Railcard

We all know how quickly the price racks up when travelling by train. Whether you’re a student heading to university or you’re going about your daily commute, it can cost a fortune.

With rent and household bills to manage too, we don’t always have loads of money left over to spend on trains.

We’ve compiled all the best offers for a discounted, or free Railcard.

Santander Student Bank Account

One of the best ways for a student to get a free 16-25 railcard is by signing up for a student bank account. Santander offers students and apprentices (level 4-7) a free Railcard for four years, meaning you could save up to £199 a year on travel expenses.

How to get your free Railcard

• Open a 1l2l3 Student Current Account with Santander and register for online banking. A unique code will be sent to your online banking within 5 working days of opening your account.
• Use this code on Santander’s railcard website to order your free Railcard.
• You’ll receive your free Railcard within 5 working days of completing your order.

Oyster Card Discounts

If you’re living in London you might be able to get a 1/3 discount on off-peak pay as you go travel with your Oyster Card.

You can get a 1/3 discount if you have a…

• 16-25 Railcard
• 26-30 Railcard
• A Senior Railcard (60 or over)

How to add your discount to your oyster card

A member of staff can add your Railcard discount at Tube and TfL Rail stations and Oyster Ticket Stops. Check out the National Rail Website for more information.

Two Together Railcard

If you’re a couple, two housemates, best friends, or two family members that travel by train, it’s definitely worth considering getting a Two Together Railcard.

What you need to know…

• The Railcard costs £30 a year – that’s £15 each. So after a few trips, the card will have paid for itself.
• Your Two Together Railcard will save you both 1/3 off a wide range of tickets.
• The 1/3 off applies to most adult fares throughout Great Britain. The only time you can’t use your Two Together Railcard is morning peak times.

How to get your Two Together Railcard

• Buy your Two Together Railcard here.
• If you buy a digital Railcard you’ll be sent a code. Once you download the Railcard app and upload the card onto your phone, enter the code and you can start using it straight away.
• If you buy a physical Railcard it’ll be dispatched within one working day of you ordering it.

Disabled Persons Railcard

If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you might qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard.

What you need to know…

• The Railcard costs £20 for one year, or £54 for three years and gets you 1/3 off most train travel.
• There are no time restrictions for when the Disabled Persons Railcard can be used.
• If you travel with another adult, they’ll also get one-third off. The accompanying adult does not have to have a disability, but does need to travel the whole duration of the journey with the card holder to qualify.

How to get your Disabled Persons Railcard

• First check here to see if you’re eligible.
• The railcard can’t be bought at station ticket offices, but you can pick up an application form which you’ll need to complete and post, or you can apply for the card online.

Now that you’re armed with the best deals for a discounted or free Railcard, why not explore more of London? Hop on the tube and check out the best south London cafes to do work in!