You can keep all your Black Friday bargains – there’s only one deal I never skip at this time of year: discounted train tickets with a railcard.
A railcard is one of those practical, keeps-on-giving purchases – and it can knock a third off your train fares for a whole year. Travelling by rail is not only one of the most relaxing ways to get around, it’s also a far more sustainable choice. The downside? Ticket prices can be eye-watering if you don’t plan ahead. But invest in a digital railcard – stored conveniently on your phone via the Trainline app – and you can start saving immediately with one-third off eligible journeys for 12 months, typically cutting around £167 from your annual travel costs. (Or go for a three-year railcard and save even more.)
So whether you’ve decided 2025 is the year you explore more of the UK or simply spend extra time visiting friends and family, a railcard is the Black Friday deal you really shouldn’t miss. Your year of rail adventures starts now.
Quick links to Black Friday travel deals
- Trip.com - Early Black Friday sale live now
Today's best Black Friday railcard deals
Travel expert and chief marketing officer of freetour.com Alexandra Dubakova believes the beauty of train travel lies in getting to watch the world unfold outside your window. ‘You settle in and savour the experience of your travel,’ she says. ‘The rhythm of the train is a meditation of its own that helps with reflection and creativity, especially if you are travelling to take time off your everyday life.'
The best travel experiences are not always the fastest and are not about the destination, adds Dubakova. 'Time on a train feels like time you reclaim for yourself, your thoughts, and the simple joy of moving through the world.'
What is a railcard?
A railcard is a discount card that gets you up to one-third off the price of eligible National Rail train tickets, making it a great way to save on travel. Railcards are available digitally to store on your phone and are valid for one or three years, depending on which kind you choose.
Currently there are nine types of railcard to choose from:
Type |
Discount |
1 year price |
3 year price |
1/3 off adult fares and 60% kids' fares |
£35 |
£80 |
|
1/3 off adult fares for two named people travelling together |
£35 |
N/A |
|
1/3 off |
£35 |
£80 |
|
1/3 off |
£305 |
N/A |
|
1/3 off |
£35 |
£80 |
|
50% off |
£35 |
N/A |
|
Disabled Persons Railcard (Not available from Trainline) |
1/3 off for you and the person travelling with you |
£20 |
£54 |
Veterans Railcard (Not available from Trainline) |
1/3 off fares for you and a named companion and 60% off kids' fares |
£30 |
£70 |
1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' fares in London and the South East of England |
£35 |
N/A |
How much do railcards cost?
You can buy a railcard for £35 for a year or £80 for three years - which works out at around £26.60 a year - so the savings from one or two train trips will cover the cost of the card. With savings of up to one-third on fares, a railcard can save you money on almost every train journey you take.
How do I get a Black Friday railcard discount?
So far this year there is no sign of Trainline, the official retailer of Railcards from National Rail, offering a Black Friday railcard sale. Watch this space - we'll update this page if they do.
When can I use a railcard?
How and when you can use a railcard depends on the type of railcard you buy. Generally speaking, railcards offer discounts on off-peak trains, as well as during weekends and public holidays.
However, some railcards can also be used during peak times but you might have to pay a minimum fare. For example, the Disabled Persons Railcard offers discounts at any time of day, including peak travel periods.
Where can I travel with a railcard?
Where you can travel using your railcard depends on which one you buy but most railcards can be used on the vast majority of National Rail routes in the UK. The Network Railcard is an exception, as it is only valid on journeys starting and ending in the South-East Network Railcard area.
If 'When is Black Friday and how long do deals last?' is a question on your mind, let me clarify. Black Friday officially falls on 29 November but the sales are set to last all weekend, stretching into Cyber Monday, which is the grand finale of the year's biggest shopping event.
