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Family & Friends Railcard

Family & Friends Railcard

Make days out and school-holiday adventures more affordable! A Family & Friends Railcard gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids’ fares (ages 5–15) when at least 1 adult & child travel together. It’s £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years, and holders save an average of £122 a year – so it often pays for itself quickly.

Buy a railcard

When it’s valid

  • You can use your Railcard almost anytime, with one exception:
    • Morning peaks: Can’t be used during morning peak hours if travelling within the London & South East Network Railcard area. You can travel once Off-Peak tickets become valid – the exact time varies depending on your journey but is usually between 8-10am.
  • There are no restrictions:
    • On weekdays after the morning peak (including the evening peak)
    • On weekends and Bank Holidays
    • For journeys outside the Network Railcard area, or crossing into/out of it
  • The Family & Friends Railcard has a minimum fare of £1 for children. There’s no minimum fare for adults.

Where it’s valid

  • On all National Rail services across Britain.
  • On the London Underground (Tube) and DLR in some cases (e.g. crossing London on a longer journey or buying a London Travelcard).
  • For travel around London, children can get a 50% Young Visitor Oyster discount or free/discounted travel with a 5-10 or 11-15 Zip Oyster. However, you need to buy at least one child fare for adults to get the Family & Friends Railcard discount – so in some cases, it will still be cheaper to buy tickets for everyone rather than using a discounted Oyster card.

Who it’s for

  • Anyone, including non-UK residents!
  • You can add a second named cardholder
  • You’ll need a clear photo of the named cardholder(s)
  • To use the Railcard:
    • At least one named cardholder and one child (aged 0-15) must travel together.
    • Up to 4 adults and 4 children travelling together can get discounts with one Railcard.
    • Children aged 0-4 travel free – but you must buy at least one child ticket to use the Railcard.
  • Special rule for 16-year-olds: If a child turns 16 after you buy the Railcard, they can still use Family & Friends Railcard discounted child tickets and count as the required child (for 3-year Railcards, this only applies while they’re 16). Consider getting them a 16-17 Saver for 50% off adult fares when travelling alone or once they turn 17.

What fares it discounts

  • Yes – 1/3 off for adults, 60% off for children:
    • Standard class Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak and Advance tickets (including equivalents like Evening Out or Sunday Out)
    • Day Travelcards for London
    • Most Ranger and Rover tickets (e.g. All Line Rover, Thames Branches Day Ranger)
    • PlusBus tickets for local buses (no discount on child PlusBus as it’s already 50% off the adult fare – though some operators offer free child travel)
  • There’s no discount for:
    • Season tickets (e.g. weekly, monthly, annual or Flexi Seasons)
    • Eurostar or heritage railway services
    • Group fares (e.g. Family Travelcard)
    • Underground and DLR (except in the circumstances mentioned above)

See this list of Frequently Asked Questions for more details.