Family and Friends Railcard for 1/3 Discount on UK Train Travel
Official Railcard Retailers
Save 1/3 on Rail Fares
Ideal for Large Groups
What is a Family & Friends Railcard?
The Family & Friends Railcard provides significant discounts on most UK rail fares for groups travelling together. The group must include at least one adult and one child, with a maximum of four adults and four children. Adults receive 1/3 off their individual ticket price, while children enjoy a 60% discount on their fares.
Up to two adults can be named on the Railcard, but only one is required for travel. The named adult can purchase discounted tickets for different individuals on each journey, as long as they meet the Railcard's requirements (i.e. travelling with at least one child).
How much does the Family & Friends Railcard cost?
The Family & Friends Railcard is available for just £30 for one year or £70 for three years. On average, cardholders save £116 annually, with unlimited usage throughout the validity period.
PLEASE NOTE: From Sunday 2 March 2025, the price of a 1-year Railcard will increase to £35 from £30 and the 3-year Railcard will increase to £80 from £70. To find out more, see our dedicated blog here.
Who is the Family & Friends Railcard for?
This Railcard is ideal for:
- Families with children travelling together frequently.
- Large groups who want to save on train travel costs.
What ticket types are eligible for discounts?
The Family & Friends Railcard offers discounts on various ticket types, including:
- Anytime
- Off-Peak
- Advance
You can travel at a discounted rate anytime on weekends and public holidays. However, on weekdays, discounts are not available for journeys between two stations within London and the South East area during morning peak hours (before 09:30 am).
For a detailed breakdown of eligibility and terms of use, see below.
How to Get a Family & Friends Railcard?
You can purchase your Railcard (1-year or 3-year) through the Trip.com app, as shown below.
What do I need on-hand when buying my Railcard?
Your home address and a valid email address
Second cardholder's name if applicable (cannot be added later)
A debit or credit card for payment
Step 1: Open the Trip.com app and tap "Trains" at the top of the homepage
Step 2: Tap "Buy a Railcard" at the bottom of the page
Step 3: Sign in to your Trip.com account and select the right Railcard for you
Step 4: Enter your personal information (including name, date of birth and a passport-style photo) and purchase
Step 5: You can now tap ‘My Railcards’ to view your new Railcard
Step 6: To activate your Railcard, purchase a train ticket with Trip.com within 30 days. Be sure to add the Railcard when booking to start enjoying your discounts!
Family & Friends Railcard Benefits With Trip.com
Where can you travel with a Family & Friends Railcard?
Manchester to London
NZD 30.82NZD 20.34Save NZD 10.48 with a Family Friends Railcard
Liverpool to London
NZD 30.82NZD 20.34Save NZD 10.48 with a Family Friends Railcard
London to Sheffield
NZD 27.96NZD 18.45Save NZD 9.51 with a Family Friends Railcard
Newcastle to London
NZD 37.43NZD 24.70Save NZD 12.73 with a Family Friends Railcard
Family & Friends Railcard Restrictions
The Family & Friends Railcard offers discounts on most Off-Peak rail fares for travel across the UK. Below, you will find information on tickets, time restrictions, and the cheapest fares available. Take a look to plan your travel accordingly:
The only areas you can't use your Family & Friends Railcard are Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the only time you are unable to use it is during morning peak time between two stations inside London and the South East area.
Full list of covered services:
| Ticket Type | Available | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Anytime (Day, Single & Return) | | - |
| Standard & Super Off-Peak (Day, Single & Return) | | - |
| Standard Advance | | Must be booked before you travel. |
| Anytime Day Travelcards | | When bought as part of ticket to London from outside the London Zones area (subject to minimum fare of £22.60). |
| Hop-on, Hop-off | | Available on PLUSBUS tickets and most Rail Rover fares. |
| Express Trains to Airport | | Discounts apply Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express. |
| Caledonian Sleeper | | Discounts apply on seated tickets only. |
| Combined Rail/Sea Journeys | | Discounts are available on some rail and sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight and Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport.* |
| Eurostar | | - |
| Season tickets | | Including Travelcard Season tickets. |
| First Class tickets | | Except when using a First Class Upgrade at weekends (subject to availability) upon payment of the appropriate supplement. |
Family & Friends Railcard FAQs
How does a Family and Friends Railcard work?
A Family & Friends Railcard offers discounted fares for families and small groups travelling together on the National Rail network in Great Britain. Here's how it works:
Eligibility: The Railcard can be purchased by any adult (aged 16 or over), though it requires one child (between the ages of 5 and 15) travelling with them for the Railcard to become valid. Two adults can be named cardholders for this Railcard, though this is not necessary.
Coverage: This Railcard can be used for rail discounts in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), though cannot be used for rail travel in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. Railcard discounts are not available for weekday journeys during morning peak period (before 9:30 am) within the London & South East Network Railcard area (excluding weekends and public holidays).
Discounts: The Railcard provides a 1/3 discount on adult fares and a 60% discount on child fares for up to four adults and four children travelling together.
Validity: The Railcard is valid for one or three years from the date of purchase and can be used for unlimited journeys during that period.
How long does it take to get a Family & Friends Railcard?
You’ll be able to use the Railcard as soon as you’ve purchased it on the Trip.com app. When purchasing, ensure you have proof of age, a high-quality, digital passport-style photo of yourself, and a debit or credit card ready.
How many can travel using a Family & Friends Railcard?
The Family and Friends Railcard allows 1/3 off rail fares for up to four adults (aged 16+) and 60% off for up to four children (aged 5-15).Who can use a Family and Friends Railcard?
The Railcard can be used by the named cardholder, who must be aged 16 or over, and at least one child, although up to three additional adults and four children are valid under the Railcard. You can have up to two adults as named cardholders, though it is not necessary they travel together. None of those travelling with te cardholder need to be family for the Railcard to be valid.Where does a Family & Friends Railcard cover?
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 Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.Can I use a Family & Friends Railcard in First Class?
No. Family & Friends Railcards are not be valid on First Class tickets, except when using a First Class Upgrade at weekends upon payment of the appropriate supplement (subject to availability).Does every traveller need to have a Railcard?
No, not every traveller needs to have a Railcard. Only the person named on the Railcard needs to have it with them during the journey. The Railcard holder can travel with different individuals each time, as long as they meet the requirements of the Railcard (such as travelling with at least one child). The Railcard holder can purchase discounted tickets for the other travellers in their group.Can I get a refund if I don’t use my Family & Friends Railcard?
No, Railcards are non-refundable once they have been issued.Does everyone registered to the Family & Friends Railcard need to be travelling for it to be valid?
No, it isn't necessary for everyone registered on the railcard to be present on every journey. However, there must be one railcard holder travelling throughout the entire journey, accompanied by at least one child (aged 5 to 15).
How do you renew a Family and Friends Railcard?
You can only renew your Railcard online when it’s within 30 days of its expiry date. Simply follow these easy steps:
Click ‘My Railcards’ on the Trip.com app
Click ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard
Select the best plan for you
Can you get a 3-year Family and Friends Railcard?
Yes. You can get a 3-year Family and Friends Railcard on Trip.com app for £70 which is £20 cheaper than three 1-year Railcards.