If you are a member of the Regular Armed Forces or Volunteer Reservists or a spouse of a member, you can get 1/3 OFF train travel with an HM Forces Railcard (also known as the armed forces Railcard).
Railcards are a fantastic way to cut the cost of your train journeys, and it works out at less than £2 a month. Both Regular Armed Forces and Volunteer Reservists are eligible so get saving today!
HM Forces Railcard – Quick Links
Who can apply for a HM Forces Railcard?
How much do I get off train travel with a HM Forces Railcard?
When can I use a HM Forces Railcard?
What restrictions are there with my HM Forces Railcard?
How much does the HM Forces Railcard cost?
Where to buy a HM Forces Railcard?
How to renew a HM Forces Railcard?
Who can apply for a HM Forces Railcard?
All members of the Armed Forces are eligible for a HM Forces Railcard, wherever they’re stationed in Britain. Wives and husbands of all Armed Forces personnel also qualify for the discount Railcard as well as dependent children of Regular forces.
Full eligibility is as follows:
- All members of the Regular Armed Forces wherever they are based
- All members of the Volunteer Reserve
- Non-Regular Permanent Staff
- Members of the Regular Reserve during periods of full-time service of at least three months
- Commissioned Officers of the RAF Reserve who are carrying out full-time duties in uniform in peacetime
- NATO personnel serving in official NATO UK appointments who are under the direct command of the MoD or NATO HQ
- Members of other Government Defence Forces serving in official exchange appointments
- Spouses and civil partners of those above
- Dependent children of those above
- Widows/widowers and dependent children may retain usage of the HM Forces Railcard until it expires, after which time they should contact their local Royal British Legion to obtain a new one
How much do I get off train travel with an HM Forces Railcard?
You and your spouse will get 1/3 OFF most adult rail fares with the HM Forces Railcard. It’s valid for 12 months and can make your off duty travel loads more affordable.
It’s great because the whole family can benefit from savings on your Railcard. You can take up to four children, under 16 for a 60% discount on regular child fares, subject to a minimum £1 fare, anywhere in the UK.
For example, if you wanted to take the family (two adults and two children) to Brighton for a day trip, you could save £21.30 (43%) on rail fares. This is based on having two HM Forces Railcards paying £27.90 for the journey, rather than £49.20.
When can I use an HM Forces Railcard?
Your handy armed forces Railcard will give you a 1/3 OFF most adult and 60% OFF most child rail fares. Here’s everything you can get savings on:
- Anytime and Anytime Day Single and Return tickets for travel in Standard and First Class
- Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Single and Return tickets for travel in Standard and First Class
- Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Single and Return tickets for travel in Standard and First Class
- Advance purchase tickets for travel in Standard and First Class *
- The Weekender
- Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services
- Most Rail Rovers and Rangers
- Caledonian Sleeper – 34% discount on Club Solo and Classic Solo rooms and seats
- London Zones 1-6 Off-Peak Day Travelcard All Zones only (subject to a minimum fare of £5.90) and only on some ticket types offered by individual Train Companies.
- Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your ticket to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to the minimum fare of £15.80)
- Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go single fares on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services in London (Oyster cardholder only)
- Oyster Off-Peak Daily Price Cap on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services in London (Oyster cardholder only)
- PLUSBUS
* These tickets need to be booked before you travel.
What restrictions are there with my HM Forces Railcard?
You do need to bear in mind that there are some restrictions with the card. When travelling before 10am Monday to Friday, a minimum fare of £12 applies (except in July or August, or public holidays) if you’re travelling on an Anytime, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket.
There is also a minimum fare of £5.90 on Off-Peak Day Travelcards at all times and £15.80 on Anytime Day Travelcards.
Your discount doesn’t apply on season tickets, Eurostar tickets, some train company promotional offers and most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets (unless using Oyster pay as you go).
How much does an HM Forces Railcard cost?
The HM Forces Railcard costs just £21 and will save you 1/3 on adult fares and 60% on child fares throughout Britain for 12 months.
How to apply for an HM Forces Railcard
To get your Railcard, you must visit your Unit HR admin staff.
The cost is deducted from your pay.
War widows and widowers can obtain an Armed Forces Railcard through the Royal British Legion and will need to receive a Forces Family pension.
How to renew an HM Forces Railcard
To renew your Railcard, you must go through the same application process by visiting your Unit HR admin staff.
Enjoy saving now with an HM Forces Railcard
For more details on the HM Forces Railcard and full terms and conditions visit the official website.
More Ways to Save with Railcards
There’s plenty of ways to save money on train travel in Britain with Railcards. In the meantime, check out these promotional code discounts and deals on 2022 National Railcards.
- 16-25 Railcard 10% OFF promotional code – best for 16-25-year-olds and students
- 26-30 Railcard Discount Code – 1/3 OFF rail travel for millennials aged between 26 and 30 years old
- Disabled Persons Railcard – best for people with disabilities
- Family and Friends Railcard 10% OFF promotional code – best for families and small groups which include children
- Network Railcard – best discount offer for people living in London and South East England
- Senior Railcard 10% OFF promotional code – best for people 60 years old and above
- Two Together Railcard 10% OFF promotional code – best for two people who travel together