Using your Railcard

Use your Network Railcard as often as you like, but be sure to keep it with you at all times when travelling

 

  • You can use your Network Railcard within the Network Railcard area
  • The Railcard discount is valid for journeys made any time on weekends and bank holidays and from 10am Monday to Friday, though some stations may allow you to start your journey earlier
  • A minimum fare of £13 applies to all journeys made from Monday to Friday, except on bank holidays
  • The minimum fare for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60 at all times
  • Minimum fares apply to each individual travelling

 

Discounted travel in the Network Railcard area:

You can enjoy discounts on some of these popular destinations within the Network Railcard area:

 

 

Brighton

Cambridge

Gatwick Airport

Oxford

Portsmouth & Southsea

Reading

Richmond

Southampton Central

Winchester

Windsor & Eton Riverside

 

You can take a look at the entire Network Railcard area.

 

Your Network Railcard will save you 1/3 of the cost of:

 

Anytime Day Travelcards

When bought as part of your ticket to London from outside London Zones 1 to 9 (subject to the minimum fare of £22.60)


Standard Anytime tickets (Day, SIngle or Return)

  • Standard Anytime Day Single and Day Return – tickets must be used on the date shown on your ticket
  • Standard Anytime Single – must be used within 2 days of the date shown on the ticket
  • Standard Anytime Return – your outward journey must be made within 5 days, with your return trip being within 1 calendar month

 

Standard Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak (Day, Singles and Return tickets)

These tickets may require you to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route. Always be sure to check the details on your ticket before boarding.

 

PlusBus tickets

For bus travel to and from the station (and around town)

 

Combined rail and sea journeys

Discounts are available on some rail and sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport.**

 

**Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station or on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

 

Minimum fare and time restrictions

 

Avoid the morning weekday rush – travel from 10am

The discount applies to journeys made after 10am from Monday to Friday. This time restriction applies to all ticket types. Some stations may allow you to start your journey earlier while still receiving the discount.

 

£13 Minimum Fare

This applies to all adult journeys made from Monday to Friday. The minimum fare does not apply at weekends or on bank holidays

 

£1 Minimum Chld Fare

The minimum discounted child fare payable is £1 at all times, except for under 5s, who travel free

 

Minimum Fare for Anytime Day Travelcards

The minimum fare payable for Anytime Day Travelcards is £22.60 at all times

 

Minimum fares apply to each individual travelling

Not to the total value of tickets purchased

 

Minimum fares and child supplement fares also apply for journeys to the Isle of Wight

Check for details at your local staffed station before planning your journey

 

You can only use the Network Railcard to the boundary

If you travel outside the Network Railcard area, you will have to buy full-price tickets for the journey outside the area. You must purchase these tickets before you cross the boundary and the train you are travelling on must stop at the boundary station.


Some ticket types may also have conditions or restrictions that apply to the journey being made

For example, there are time restrictions on travel to and from central London. You will be advised of these conditions or restrictions when you buy your ticket.

 

Not every ticket type is available for every journey

Make sure you always check before booking. And be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard.

 

There are some exceptions...

There are some tickets and fares that the Network Railcard won't be valid for, so it's always worth checking before you travel.

 

The Network Railcard will not apply to the following:

  • Journeys where the origin and / or destination is outside the Network Railcard area
  • Oyster pay as you go
  • Season tickets, including Travelcard Season tickets. The good news is these tickets have their own savings. Click here for more information on Season Tickets
  • Advance tickets
  • First Class tickets
  • Eurostar tickets
  • Some train company special offers and promotional tickets (see their offer or ticket terms and conditions details)
  • Tickets for special excursion or charter trains
  • Bus links, including those to airports. For example, RailAirlinks
  • Port-to-port only tickets on Wightlnk, Red Funnel (ferries or 'Red Jet') or Hovertravel services
  • Tickets for journeys wholly on London Underground or Docklands Light Railway

 

If your ticket includes a ferry link your Railcard may offer a smaller discount than the standard 1/3. This is because the ferry operator may have specified a smaller discount or none at all.

Read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard.

 

Time restrictions

Some train companies may allow Network Railcard holders to start their journey a little earlier than 10am Monday to Friday on certain services. Current easements are detailed on the Network Railcard time restrictions**.

Please note, these easements are subject to change, therefore it is recommended that you check with the ticket office staff at your local station before buying or using tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Last updated on 1 July 2024