Frequently Asked Questions?

Most frequently asked questions

• I am a mature student, can I buy or renew a Railcard online?
  A:

  Yes. You will, however, need to complete a Mature Student Application Form to prove that you are still in full time study. You will need to get it endorsed by your university/college and also include a copy of your student photo identity card or NUS photo ID. 

  Please allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be approved.

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• Can I renew my station-purchased Railcard online?
  A:

  Railcards issued at stations cannot be renewed online. You will need to create an account and purchase a new Railcard.

  To buy a new 16-25 Railcard, please go to the website homepage, click ‘Buy Now’ and follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to provide either a passport, UK driving licence number or EEA national identity card and you will also need to provide a digital passport-style photo.

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• Do I need to prove my eligibility again if I am applying online?
  A:

  Not if you already hold a 16-25 Railcard that was issued by our online service, and you are between 16 and 25 years of age. Please note that Railcard issued at a station cannot be renewed online. You will need to create an account and purchase a new Railcard.

  To buy a new 16-25 Railcard, please go to the website homepage, click ‘Buy Now’ and follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to provide either a passport, UK driving licence number or EEA national identity card and you will also need to provide a digital passport-style photo.

  Mature students in full time education will need to prove their eligibility each time they need to renew their Railcards. Please allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be approved.

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• How do I renew my 16-25 Railcard online?
  A:

  Please click ‘Renew my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to account. Once logged in, click ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard, select 'Digital' or ‘Plastic’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section and follow the instruction on the screen to complete your purchase.

  Click here for the step by step guide on how to renew your Railcard.

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• I am aged between 16 and 25 years old. I bought my current 16-25 Railcard from the online service, it is about to expire, how do I renew it?
  A:

  You can renew your 16-25 Railcard bought online within 30 days of its expiry and before your 26th birthday to a digital or a plastic Railcard.

  Simply click ‘Renew my Railcard’ on the website homepage, enter your log in details, click on ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard, select 'Digital' or ‘Plastic’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section and follow the instruction on the screen to complete your purchase.

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• I am aged between 16 and 25 years old. My current Railcard is due to expire just after my 26th birthday - can I renew it early?
  A: No. You will not be able to renew a Railcard if its date of issue is after your 26th birthday unless you are a Mature Student.
  
  However, you can still buy another 16-25 Railcard by setting up another account using an alternative address and making your purchase just before your 26th birthday.
  
  We will not be able to refund you for any over-lapping period of validity between the two Railcards.

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