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Previously known as the Young Person’s Railcard, the 16-25 Railcard saves you 1/3 on train travel across the country. If you plan ahead and book your advance ticket for travel on the TransPennine Express network, you’ll save even more and get 50% off your train tickets.
To get half price train tickets on the TransPennine Express network – which covers Scotland and the North of England – you should buy them on the TPExpress app or online and use the 16-25 Railcard discount code ‘TPEStudent’ when purchasing through the app.
Not only can you get cheap train tickets with a 16-25 Railcard, but you can also make great savings on days out, activities and holidays.
Whether you want to try shark diving, go karting, a spa day or football stadium tour, you can save 20% off all Virgin Experience Days with the 16-25 discount code ‘16TO25’.
You can also get a free two-month tastecard, which will give you 50% off food or 2-for-1 offers on restaurants across the UK – including cities and towns in the TransPennine Express network.
Other 16-25 Railcard offers and discounts include a YHA Annual Membership for just £1 and up to 60% off theatre tickets.
16-18 Discount
The 50% discount applies to TransPennine Express Advance tickets
You must be aged 16, 17 or 18 when travelling and present proof of age with the tickets when travelling
Only available for tickets purchased through tpexpress.co.uk - the discount is not available via the TPExpress app or any other booking channels
Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel and are subject to availability, so book early to get the best possible fares
You must select '16-18 TPE Discount' as a railcard option when booking at tpexpress.co.uk to obtain a discount
TransPennine Express will accept any identification which includes a photo and age or date of birth
For example, passports, driving licence photocards and Validate UK ID cards
Tickets are non-refundable and are only valid on the date and trains shown on the ticket(s)
Savings are based on Advance fares versus purchase on the day
16-25 50% Advance Discount
As the name suggests, the 16-25 Railcard is for people aged between 16 and 25. But, in some circumstances if you’re over 25 you can also get this Railcard and benefit from savings on rail fares.
Over 25 and in full-time education?
If you’re over 25 and can prove you’re in full-time education – for example with a valid TOTUM NUS Extra Card – you can get a 16-25 Railcard. You will required sign off from your university or college.
Providing you’re 25-years-old when you buy the Railcard, you can still take advantage of cheaper train tickets for the full 12 months. After that, the 26-30 Railcard could be an option for you.
Are you a mature student outside of the 16-30 age range?
To be eligible as a mature student and buy a 1-year Railcard, you will need:
- To be attending a recognised college or university, for over 15 hours a week, at least 20 weeks a year. Unfortunately, Open University, distance learning and part-time courses do not qualify.
- To have the mature student section of the 16-25 Railcard application form completed by your College or University.
- Have an TOTUM NUS card or College/University photocard as proof of identity.
As a mature student, you can now apply online, but you’ll need to submit evidence of your eligibility when applying. You can do this by uploading the signed Mature Student Declaration section of the 16-25 Railcard application form, a scanned copy of your student photocard, and a digital passport-style photo.
Mature students will need to provide evidence of continuing study every year, and so are only eligible to apply for the 1-year Railcard.
Your 16-25 Railcard saves you 1/3 off Standard Anytime and Off-Peak fares, as well as Standard Advance and First Class Advance fares. Please note there is a minimum fare of £12 before 10am on weekdays for Anytime and Off-Peak Singles and Returns, apart from Bank Holidays and fares in July & August.
Once you’ve got your 16-25 Railcard, you can use it as many times as you like on valid journeys before its expiry date – so you can take full advantage of cheaper train journeys to visit friends and family around the country.
You can buy a one-year 16-25 Railcard for £30. There’s also the option to buy a three-year 16-25 Railcard for £70.
You can buy your 16-25 Railcard online. It’s straight forward to fill in the online application form and you’ll need a valid passport or UK driving licence to verify your identify and age, as well as a passport-sized photo saved to your electronic device to upload.
Remember if you’re buying your Railcard online you need to wait until you’ve received it in the post before you can use it to buy cheap train tickets.
If you’d prefer to buy your 16-25 Railcard in person, you can go to a staffed station ticket office. This is the best option if you want to travel on the day.
You can renew your 16-25 Railcard online by logging into your account, selecting renew, checking your details and paying the fee.
If you bought your Railcard online in the first place, you’ll get an email reminder before it expires.
You can renew your Railcard within one month of its expiry date – so make sure you make a note of when you need to renew so you can get a new one in plenty of time and don’t miss out on any savings.
Yes, you need to apply online or fill in the relevant form to hand in at the ticket office.
If you’re applying for a 16-25 Railcard in person at a train station, you’ll need your birth certificate, passport, UK driving licence or national identify card. You’ll also need a passport-sized photo and if you’re applying as a mature student, you’ll need proof of eligibility.
Don’t worry if you’ve lost your 16-25 Railcard or it’s damaged – you can easily apply for a replacement one online and it will only cost you £10 in administration fees - this is only applicable if you bought your Railcard online. You should return to the point of purchase if you bought your Railcard elsewhere.
Alternatively, if you bought your 16-25 Railcard from a train station and still have your stamped receipt, you can get a new one from a staffed ticket office and a £10 administration fee will apply.
If you’re not eligible for a 16-25 Railcard but you still want to get cheap train tickets, see if you can apply for a different Railcard - such as the 26-30 Railcard, Two Together Railcard, Family & Friends Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard to see if you can get cheap train tickets.
If you’re 60 or older you can make great savings on your train travel and days out with a Senior Railcard.
If you regularly travel with the same person for work or pleasure, you could save money on your trips with a Two Together Railcard.
Save money with this railcard if you regularly travel with family and friends.
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