I commute and train travel is painfully expensive - so these Black Friday railcard deals are all I’m interested in right now
The railcard Black Friday sale was a huge hit last year - here's what you can expect this year
These Railcard and Trainline deals were last checked on 01/12/2024 to ensure that all of the savings below are still live. We'll continue to monitor them for further price drops.
Anyone who commutes will know how expensive rail travel can be, and if you're travelling into London before 10am during the week then your train tickets can add up to a small fortune. Trust me, I know - I travel in from Brighton, and seeing how drastically the prices change during peak times is sweat-inducing stuff. Even a few trips a week means that a depressing amount of my wages are set aside to cover the cost. And, things get even worse when you're not able to book in advance.
But if you're looking for the best Black Friday railcard deals to ease that financial burden - even just a little bit - now is the time to shop around. Because while this weekend's sales are usually geared towards Black Friday fashion deals or Black Friday Beauty deals, you can save money on something that impacts your day-to-day. Future you is going to be far more thankful that your transport is cheaper every week (even if the fact that LED masks are on sale and make a more exciting purchase).
Last year, railcards were on sale for Black Friday and unsurprisingly, people went wild for the mega 50% discount. Right now, there's 15% off National Express coach travel for Amazon Prime Student members, and with over 1,000 UK destinations on the list you can travel to some places for less than a latte. All you have to do is select Amazon Pay when you checkout and voila—savings are made.
And if you're looking for the Trainline Black Friday sale there are savings to be made on specific journeys across the country. So even if you don't commute to work, it could be a great idea to get your transport sorted for any upcoming trips (yes, hen party season is creeping up on us all once again).
If you are interested in our guides to shopping the Black Friday weekend sales effectively, we've got you covered with the UNIQLO Black Friday sale, Adanola Black Friday, and there are also savings on the TikTok walking pad. But, as ever, shop sensibly and spend on the things that you really want or need, like investment pieces - or travel.
What is a railcard?
National Rail offers nine different railcards, available to different people depending on their eligibility. For teenagers, students and young professionals, you would be amiss to travel without a 16-25 railcard. For those aged 26-30, there's a millennial railcard, and while the 30+ age bracket tends to be a little forgotten when it comes to travel deals, if you travel to or from London and the South East, the Network Railcard offers up to 1/3 on train journeys.
Anyone aged over 60 is eligible for a Senior railcard, and if you like to travel with a partner or pal there's the Two Together railcard - which will help you make great saving on trips with friends, your other half, or a family member you love to travel with.
What makes the railcards even more convenient is that they're accessible via an app and can be stored digitally on your phone (meaning that if you're as forgetful as I am and leave the hard copy at home you're still covered), and the railcards are valid for anywhere between one and three years. Most offer discounts of 1/3 off the full price, and since I bought mine I've been waxing lyrical about how much of a difference it makes. So if you're eligible, it's well worth having.
How much do railcards cost?
Ordinarily, railcards that last for a year cost between £20 and £30, depending on which one you get. Railcards that last for three years are unsurprisingly more expensive, at £70. But when you think about how much you're going to be saving each train journey, they quickly pay for themselves. There are a few official railcard retailers associated with National Rail, so you can be sure the prices are always going to be the same across the board.
How can I get the Black Friday discount on railcards?
Major discounts on railcards are a bit of a rarity, but right now you can save £20 when you buy a three-year railcard via the Trainline website.
What railcards can I get?
If you're thinking of investing in a railcard, there are several different options that might be suited to you. From the 16-17 Saver Railcard and the 16-25 Railcard to the 26-30 Railcard, there are options for most ages. And there's also of course the Network Railcard, Senior Railcard, Disabled Persons Railcard and the Veterans Railcard. Plus you can save money when you travel together with the Family and Friends Railcard and the Two Together Railcard.
Here's all the information on railcards available via The Trainline :
- Network Railcard - for anyone travelling in and around 16 counties across the South East of England, including London
- 16-17 Saver - for people aged 16 and 17 (this one gets them even more money off train fares, up to 50%)
- 16-25 Railcard - for people aged 16-25 (unsurprisingly)
- 26-30 Railcard - for people aged 26-30 (you can buy one up until the day before your 31st birthday and it will still be valid for a year from the point of purchase)
- Family & Friends Railcard - for up to four adults and four children (aged 5-15 years old) travelling together
- Two Together Railcard - for you and a friend/companion when travelling together
- Senior Railcard - for people aged 60 and over
- Disabled Persons Railcard - for anyone with proof of a disability, the discount extends to them and one other adult they're travelling with
- Veterans Railcard - for anyone with proof of being a UK Veteran and Merchant Mariner, the discount extends to them and one other named adult plus 60% off child fares for up to 4 children
You can find out what each railcard specifically offers here. Go get 'em!
