Discounts available on National Rail services

There are always a range of discounted tickets available which can save you money if you travel during off-peak times. If you or another passenger are eligible there may be additional discounts available.

What discounts are available?

Additional discounts are available for:

• Children – for those aged upto 15
• Small Group – between 3 and 9 people
• Large Groups – 10 or more people
• Railcards – discount cards valid for one year
• Regional Railcards – offering discounts within a specific region
• Local Authority – discounted travel offered by Local Authorities
• Charity Discount – Flexible travel for registered charities for those travelling with Virgin Trains

Children

Child discounts

Children aged five to fifteen get a 50% discount. In addition, up to two children under five can travel free with each fare paying passenger.

If the child looks over the age of 16, it maybe appropriate for proof of age to be carried when purchasing the ticket and also when travelling to avoid embarrassment.

Children and Seat Reservations

As with any ticket, if seat reservations are available on your chosen service you will be able to reserve your child a seat for the journey. Seat or sleeper berth reservations are not available for accompanying children who are travelling free of charge. If you wish to reserve a seat or sleeper berth for your child under five - or to ensure that they do not need give up their seat during their journey - a child discounted ticket may be purchased and a reservation made.

Family and Friends Railcard

You might find that you can save money with a Family & Friends Railcard - up to 4 adults and 4 children can travel together on one card, and you don't have to be related. Adults can save around one third, and children's tickets cost 60% less.

Small Group – between 3 and 9 people

Who offers small group discounts?

• c2c, London Midland, Chiltern Railway, First Capital Connect, First Great Western,First ScotRail , East Midlands Trains, one,London Overground, Southeastern, Southern and South West Trains allow three or four adults or children to travel for the price of two adults on various off-peak ticket types. Also additionally, up to four accompanying children pay £1.00 each.
• Arriva Trains Wales and CrossCountry don't offer the standard GroupSave discount, but have their own branded discount schemes.
• Small group discounts are currently not available with any other Train Operating Company.

For all of the above, the group must travel together at all times. No further discounts (using Railcards, for example) are available for any of the passengers.

When is Groupsave NOT available?

There are certain days when GroupSave cannot be used on some services. Have a look at the GroupSave Calendar.

Find out more...

Whether you're interested in GroupSave or are travelling as part of a larger group, why not contact the Group Travel office of the Train Company you wish to travel with.

Large Groups – 10 or more people

When ten or more passengers travel together as a party to the same destination, a great discount may be available! Get in touch with the appropriate Train Operating Company's telesales line and speak to the Group Travel office.

Railcards – discount cards valid for one year

There are a range of National Railcards available. They are are valid for a year from the date of purchase and offer a discount of around one third on most Standard and First Class fares.

More information on Railcards

When you plan your journey in our Journey Planner, simply select the number of Railcards and Passengers will be travelling with Railcards.

Need help finding Railcard discounted fares in our Journey Planner?

Regional Railcards – offering discounts within a specific region

The following Regional Railcards are available, for more information ask at your local railway station:

• Cambrian Railcard
• Cotswold Line Railcard
• Dales Railcard
• Devon & Cornwall Railcard
• Esk Valley Railcard
• Heart of Wales Line Railcard
• Highland Railcard
• Pembrokeshire Railcard
• Valleys Line Railcards

View more details of these Regional Railcards.

Local Authority – discounted travel offered by Local Authorities

Some local authorities or councils offer concessionary travel schemes, which enable local residents who are elderly or disabled to use public and community transport services more affordably.

Does my council offer discounted travel?

To find out more, please contact the Concessionary Travel office at your local council offices.

Charity Discount – Flexible travel for registered charities for those travelling with Virgin Trains

To help Charities devote the maximum possible funding to their Charities Work rather than to administration costs Virgin Trains have set up a Charity Line and are offering an easement to their Off Peak ticket restrictions on Virgin Trains to registered charities.

Find out more information