MoneySavingExpert.com homepage
Cutting your costs, fighting your corner
Founder, Martin Lewis · Editor-in-Chief, Marcus Herbert
Search bar closed.
MSE News

New 26-30 Railcard is being trialled nationwide - but there are only 10,000 up for grabs

img-rhs_railcardlogo
Callum Mason
Callum Mason
News Reporter
12 March 2018

A nationwide trial of the new 26-30 Railcard started on Tuesday morning, but if you want to get one you'll have to go quick, as there are only 10,000 available and the railcard website has been crashing because of the high volume of traffic.

Update 7pm Tue 13 Mar: The 10,000 26-30 Railcards have now sold out. You can still sign up on the railcard website for an alert if more cards become available. Also see our Cheap Train Tickets guide for more ways to cut the cost of your rail fare.

The 26-30 Railcard, which is only available digitally and costs £30 for a year, gives those aged 26 to 30 a third off most rail fares (see full details) in England, Scotland and Wales.

The card has been available on a limited trial basis since December to those who live in the area served by Greater Anglia, as first revealed by MoneySavingExpert.com. But from Tuesday it's being offered nationwide.

The card went on sale on Tuesday morning but since then, several eager 26 to 30-year-olds have been reporting issues loading the 26-30 Railcard website.

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train firms, has said railcards are still available despite the technical issues, so if you want one, you may need to keep checking the site.

How much does the 26-30 Railcard cost and what does it give you?

The new railcard works in a similar way to the existing 16-25 Railcard. It costs £30 and gives you a third off most rail fares for a year.

A £12 minimum fare applies between 4.30am and 10am Monday to Friday, for anytime and off-peak single and return tickets.

You can buy the 26-30 Railcard up to and including the day before your 31st birthday and keep using it until its expiry date – so if you renew it at the right time, you can use it until just before you turn 32.

How will the trial work?

The nationwide trial works in the same way as the current trial in the Greater Anglia region.

Once you buy the digital-only railcard, which you can do on the 26-30 Railcard website, you'll need to download the railcard app for iOS or Android. You can then start using it to get discounts on rail fares.

If you don't manage to get a railcard as part of the trial, you can also sign up on the website to receive updates if more cards become available.There is no option to purchase a three-year card – you can only get a one-year card.

What does the Rail Delivery Group say?

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: "The trial of the 26-30 Railcard is part of the rail industry's long-term plan to change, improve and boost communities by enabling more people to travel by train.

"Research being gathered as part of the 26-30 Railcard trial is being used to inform discussions with the Government about a national roll-out, and to develop new products that make leisure travel easier and better value for customers."

MSE Forum

New 26-30 Railcard is being trialled nationwide - but there are only 10,000 up for grabs

Forum image
MSE Email icon 12 November 2024

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

Martin's Council Tax cost-cutters
Are YOU due £1,000s?
30-month 0% balance transfers
They finally return
New cheap energy fixes
Save 8%
MSE's Christmas Deals Predictor
It's back!
Free £25 on 0% credit card
Up to 20 months 0%
Boots sale
Including £387 beauty £88
Student Finance Debunked!
Martin's must-listen
Tools and calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances

Find your odds of getting top cards
Find your odds for getting a cheap loan
Compare broadband, phone & TV deals
Compares thousands of mortgages
Eight calcs to help you work out the cost
We ensure you’re on the cheapest tariff