Cheap & FREE UK Train Tickets for Over 50s & Senior Adults

Seniors and adults over 50 can get cheap and FREE rail tickets for journeys across the UK in 2023.

The deals are harder to find, so we’ve worked hard to give you a comprehensive guide to the best senior rail discounts.

Making the most of Railcard offers, train company discounts, and regional and local concessionary fares can save you £££s.

Cheap & FREE UK Train Tickets for Over 50s & Senior Adults – Quick Links

• Senior Railcard – 1/3 OFF Train Travel in Britain for Over 60s
• Other Railcard Discounts – Two Together, Family & Friends & Network Railcards
• 60+ London Oyster Photocard – FREE Rail Travel in London
• Scotrail Club 50 – 20% Discount on Off-Peak and Advance Tickets
• C2C – Senior Rover Travel from Only £7
• UK Regional, Urban and Local FREE Senior Rail Travel & Discounts
• Cheap Rail Tickets for Over 50s and Senior Adults in Britain – Recommendations

Senior Railcard – 1/3 OFF Train Travel in Britain for Over 60s

A Senior Railcard saves you significant train fares even if you only travel a few times a year. Get a Senior Railcard for 1/3 OFF off-peak and most peak-time services throughout Britain.

Senior Railcards are available for anyone over 60.

And you can get money off the card before travelling in 2023.

• SAVE £20 three-year Senior Railcard
• 10% OFF one-year Senior Railcard (there are often better deals available)

SAVE money with Senior Railcard discounts

* Senior Railcard discounts are not available on peak time services Monday to Friday wholly within the London & South East Network Railcard area.

Other Railcard Discounts – Two Together, Family & Friends & Network Railcards

Other railcard options for seniors may work out cheaper, depending on your circumstances.

Two Together Railcard – 1/3 OFF Train Travel

A Two Together Railcard may work out cheaper than a Senior Railcard if you regularly travel as a pair. It means any two adults travelling together get 1/3 OFF all rail fares – after 09.30 Monday to Friday – throughout Britain.

And you can get money off the card before travelling in 2023.

• 10% OFF one-year Two Together Railcard (there are often better deals available)

SAVE money with Two Together Railcard discounts

Family & Friends Railcard – 1/3 OFF Train Travel

A Family & Friends Railcard may be your best bet if you frequently travel with your grandchildren or kids under 16. Adults get 1/3 OFF and children 60% OFF all off-peak and most peak time* services in Britain.

And you can get money off the card before travelling in 2023.

• SAVE £20 three-year Family & Friends Railcard
• 10% OFF one-year Family & Friends Railcard (there are often better deals available)

SAVE money with Family & Friends Railcard discounts

* Family & Friends Railcard discounts are unavailable during peak services within the London & South East Network Railcard area on Monday to Friday morning.

Network Railcard – 1/3 OFF Train Travel

A Network Railcard may be more appropriate if you only travel within London and South East England. It’s a flexible option allowing discounts for one person or additional adults and children.

Adults get 1/3 OFF and children 60% OFF all services after 10.00 in the London & South East Network Railcard area.

SAVE money with Network Railcard discounts

60+ London Oyster Photocard – FREE Rail Travel in London

The 60+ London Oyster Photocard allows FREE rail travel on many rail services in London. Older people can get one before they’re entitled to a Freedom Pass.

You must be over 60 to be eligible.

What’s the 60+ London Oyster Photocard Deal?

The 60+ London Oyster Photocard costs £20 and gives FREE travel on:

• London Overground
• TfL (Transport for London) Rail
• some National Rail services

Who?

Over 60-year-olds living in a London borough. Anyone eligible for a Freedom Pass can’t get this offer.

When?

You can use the 60+ London Oyster Photocard anytime on London Overground and TfL Rail services. Anytime or after 09.30 on some National Rail services.

Where?

As well as all London Overground and TfL Rail services, you can use the 60+ London Oyster Photocard on some National Rail services on the:

• Chiltern Railway
• Great Northern
• Thameslink
• London Midland
• Greater Anglia
• c2c
• Southern
• Southeastern

Railcards?

No further railcard or promotional discounts are available with the 60+ London Oyster Photocard.

Where can I buy 60+ London Oyster Photocard?

Buy 60+ London Oyster Photocards from:

• Online
• Online, Post Office & Post
• Phone

Get a 60+ London Oyster Photocard and SAVE on London rail travel

Scotrail Club 50 – 20% Discount on Off-Peak and Advance Tickets

Scotrail’s Club 50 members get a 20% discount on Off-Peak and Advance and cheaper flat-fare tickets when bought online. These offers are available all year round to Scotrail customers aged 50 and over.

Scotrail Club 50 is a great way to get savings on train journeys in Scotland for those who aren’t yet eligible for a Senior Railcard.

What’s the Scotrail Club 50 deal?

Scotrail Club 50 members enjoy:

• 20% OFF selected Off-Peak and Advance fares when bought via the ScotRail website
• 10% OFF selected Off-Peak and Advance fares when purchased at a train station or over the phone
• FREE hot drink when travelling with a Club 50 ticket on a route with catering facilities
• occasional special offers and promotions that save you money

Who?

Scotrail Club 50 is open to anyone aged 50 or over.

When?

All Single and Return tickets. Anytime at weekends. Off-peak services Monday to Friday. Restrictions on train services arriving into Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen before 09.30.

Where?

Scotrail Club 50 is available on services across the Scotrail and TransPennine Express networks.

Railcards?

No further railcard or promotional discounts are available with the Scotrail Club 50.

How can I buy Scotrail Club 50 tickets?

To get discounted Scotrail Club 50 tickets, you must be a Club 50 member. This only costs £15; you’ll need a photo and email address.

Scotrail Club 50 ticket discounts

Discounts for Scotrail Club 50 members, depending on where you buy your tickets:

• Online – 20% discount
• Ticket offices and telephone – 10% discount

Get Scotrail Club 50 membership and save on train tickets in Scotland

c2c – Senior Rover Travel from Only £7

c2c’s Senior Rover ticket allows unlimited one-day train travel for just £7. You can also hop on and off at all stations along the way.

The Senior Rover ticket is an excellent deal for those over 65s to explore Southend, London, The Thames Estuary and everywhere on the c2c network.

What’s the c2c Senior Rover deal?

The c2c Senior Rover allows senior travellers unlimited travel across the c2c network. It costs just £7, or £10, including London destinations.

Who?

c2c Senior Rover tickets are available to anyone aged 65 years and over.

When?

All travel from Mondays to Fridays after 09.30, excluding trains within London Travelcard (Zones 1 to 6) from 16:00 to 18:59.

Where?

c2c Senior Rover discounts are available at all stations on the c2c rail network. London rail travel on other networks isn’t included, and you can’t use it on London Underground.

Railcards?

You can’t combine the c2c Senior Rover offer with any railcards.

Where can I buy c2c Senior Rover tickets?

You can only buy c2c Senior Rover tickets from ticket offices and bring your passport or driving licence for ID.

Find out more about c2c Senior Rover tickets

UK Regional, Urban and Local FREE Senior Rail Travel & Discounts

There are even more rail discounts for older adults at the regional and urban levels. And in many cases, rail travel is FREE for senior travellers.

• England – FREE and discounted senior rail travel
  
• Scotland – discounted senior rail travel
  
• Wales – discounted senior rail travel
  
• Northern Ireland – discounted senior rail travel
  

England – FREE and discounted senior rail travel

Most people know that seniors in England get FREE bus travel but can also get selected FREE and discounted rail travel.

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS)

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) covers senior travel discounts in England. ENCTS passes – commonly known as senior bus passes – are issued locally but give cardholders FREE bus travel throughout England.

The ENCTS bus pass also allows FREE and discounted rail travel in some regional and local areas.

Recent age change in England for senior travel concessions

You must now be 66 to get your ENCTS to pass in England. Find out if you’re eligible for FREE bus and train travel.

London – Freedom Pass

The Older Persons Freedom Pass allows FREE travel on most London rail services between 09:30 and 04:30 the following morning. Eligibility is based on age and if you’re a resident of Greater London.

Get FREE senior rail travel with London Freedom Pass

Greater Manchester – £10 per year

Senior travellers who qualify for a state pension get annual off-peak rail travel in Greater Manchester for £10 per year. It includes all trains in Greater Manchester after 09:30 Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends and public holidays. Eligibility is based on age and residency in Greater Manchester.

Get senior rail travel for £10 per year in Greater Manchester

Merseyside – Over 60s Travel Pass

People aged 60 and over get FREE rail travel in Merseyside after 09:30 Monday to Friday and anytime on weekends and public holidays. The first pass costs £10, but after that, they’re FREE. Eligibility is based on age and residency in Merseyside.

Get FREE senior rail travel in Merseyside

South Yorkshire – Senior Travel Pass

Senior travellers aged 66 years and over get 50% OFF rail fares within South Yorkshire between 09:30 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends and public holidays. Eligibility is based on age and residency in South Yorkshire.

Get 50% OFF senior rail travel in South Yorkshire

Tyne and Wear – Senior Travel Pass

English National Concessionary Travel Pass (CT Pass) holders in Tyne and Wear combined with a Metro Gold Card (£12 per year if you live in Tyne and Wear) get FREE Northern Rail journeys between Newcastle and Sunderland. Eligibility is based on age and residency in Tyne & Wear.

Find out about reduced senior rail tickets in Tyne & Wear

West Midlands – Older Person’s Travel Pass

Senior citizens eligible for FREE bus travel in England get FREE rail travel in the West Midlands inner Blue Zone from 09:30 to 11:59. Eligibility is based on age and residency in the West Midlands.

Get FREE senior train travel in West Midlands

West Yorkshire – Senior Pass

Older people get 50% OFF off-peak rail fares within West Yorkshire Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends and public holidays. Eligibility is based on age and residency in West Yorkshire.

Get 50% OFF rail travel in West Yorkshire

English Local Councils – Senior Rail Travel Discounts

Living outside England’s largest urban areas may still benefit from discounted rail fares for older people.

Find your local council’s website and see if they offer rail deals for seniors.

Scotland – Discounted Senior Rail Travel

Senior adults in Scotland are eligible for FREE bus travel and reduced rail fares throughout Scotland.

National Entitlement Card (NEC)

The National Entitlement Card (NEC) allows older people in Scotland to get travel discounts. Although you get your NEC locally, they let anyone living in Scotland access all discounted travel schemes throughout Scotland.

To get an NEC card, you must be 60 years old and resident in Scotland.

Get a Scottish 60+ National Entitlement Card (NEC)

Rail Discounts in Edinburgh and Glasgow for the Over 60s

Scotland’s largest cities offer the following rail travel discounts:

• Glasgow – discounted rail travel on journeys within Strathclyde and Glasgow Subway
• Edinburgh – FREE tram journeys in Edinburgh

Rail Discounts Around Scotland

Reduced train fares for 60+ NEC holders are also available in other parts of Scotland. Find out from your local authority or Transport for Scotland.

Wales – Discounted Senior Rail Travel

You can get FREE bus travel if you live in Wales and are 60 or over. But some don’t realise that FREE rail travel is available in areas where bus travel is limited.

Welsh Concessionary Travel Pass

The Welsh Government Concessionary Travel Scheme covers travel discounts for older people in Wales. It offers FREE bus travel throughout Wales to residents aged 60+. Also, depending on the route, you get FREE and discounted rail travel.

Find out more about discounted senior rail travel in Wales

Northern Ireland – Discounted Rail Travel

SmartPasses cover travel discounts for senior citizens in Northern Ireland. These allow FREE bus and rail travel within Northern Ireland and throughout Ireland.

60+ Smartpass

If you’re between 60 and 64 and a permanent Northern Ireland resident, you can get a 60 Plus SmartPass. It entitles you to FREE bus and rail travel throughout Northern Ireland.

Senior (65+0 SmartPass

If you’re over 65 and a permanent Northern Ireland resident, you can get a Senior SmartPass. It entitles you to FREE bus and most rail travel throughout the whole of Ireland.

Find out about how to apply for SmartPasses

 

Cheap Rail Tickets for Over 50s and Senior Adults in Britain – Recommendations

If you’ve reached 50, you can benefit from cheaper rail tickets in Scotland. To make the most of the deals, you’ll need to weigh the costs of train tickets plus Club 50 or Senior Railcard membership.

You can still get deals in other parts of Britain if you’re 55 and over. Most run through the latter half of autumn and during the winter months.

It only takes travelling a few times a year for a Senior Railcard to save you money. These are available only for those over 60s.

Another option if you regularly travel with a partner or friend is to buy a Two Together Railcard, where you both save. A Family & Friends Railcard offers excellent savings if you like to take the grandchildren on trips out.

And don’t also forget to take advantage of regional and local council deals. London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland residents can start benefiting from FREE or discounted rail travel when they’re 60. People throughout the rest of England have to wait until they’re 66, but there are still deals for those that look.

Image credits: Street Photography Addict, Bernie Lampert, Nicolas Alejandro