There are two types of disabled person's railcard:
- a one year railcard costing £20
- a three year railcard costing £54
Benefits of a railcard
- It gives you one third off adult fares when you travel on the National Rail network in Great Britain
- It gives a friend travelling with you one third off their rail fair so they save money too
- You can use your railcard any time
There’s more information about the railcard discounts and restrictions on the disabled person’s railcard website.
Check whether you qualify for a railcard
You’ll qualify if you:
- receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- at the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
- the higher or middle rate for the care component
- have a visual impairment
- have a hearing impairment
- have epilepsy
- receive Attendance Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance
- receive long-term Incapacity Benefit
- receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
- receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
- buy or lease a vehicle through the Mobility scheme.
You must provide evidence that you meet the criteria to prove that you’re eligible. Details of what you need to provide are listed on the Disabled Person’s Railcard website.
Five to 16 year-olds may also qualify for a disabled person's railcard if they can meet at least one of the above conditions. This doesn't save the child money (the usual child discount of 50% is a much better rate) but it does give a third off the standard fare to an adult travelling with them.
How to apply for a railcard
You can apply for a railcard online on the Disabled Person's Railcard website.
When you’ll receive your railcard
If you purchased a digital railcard it will be available to use once your application has been reviewed and approved, this normally takes five working days. If you applied for a plastic railcard, you should receive this within 10 working days.
Using your railcard
You must show your valid railcard when you are buying your tickets, and if you are buying tickets for an accompanying adult. Many of the train companies will allow you to reserve your seats free of charge on long distance journeys.
You must also have your railcard with you when you show your tickets to members of staff when you travel.
If you can’t show your valid railcard, you and your accompanying adult will have to pay the full fare.
If you don’t use your railcard, you won’t be able to claim a refund.
Renewing a railcard
You can renew your railcard on the Disabled Person's Railcard website.
If you don’t qualify for a disabled person’s railcard
If you don’t qualify, you may qualify for one of the following:
- a senior railcard (if you are 60 or over)
- a young person's railcard (if you’re aged 16 to 25 or if you’re a mature student)
- a family railcard (if you travel with children)
If you need help
- Call Disabled Person's Railcard application helpline: 0345 605 0525
- Call using a textphone/Minicom: 0345 601 0132