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Original poster

To not understand how a railcard works

35 replies

Ohioatdawn · 15/04/2025 09:00

Go easy on me because I sometimes have difficulty understanding things properly.
I'm trying to find a cheaper way to travel by train for our family of 4 so I'm looking in to buying a family and friends railcard.
We are 2 adults + 2 DC both school age.
Railcard says it gives a 60% discount to kids fares, and 1/3 off of adult fares.
So I've just gone online to National Rail and done a search for cost of tickets without a railcard compared to the cost with railcard.
The journey I have put in for 2 adults + 2 kids on the date selected is £78 with no railcard.
The same journey/same date is £61 with a family & friends railcard (there is an option for clicking 'add railcard').
£17 cheaper with the family railcard.
£17 discount is alright I suppose, but to my mind that is not 1/3 off of 2 adult tickets plus 60% off of the 2 DC tickets.
Please help if anyone is experienced with this - why is the website saying 1/3 off of adult fares and 60% off of kids fares with a family railcard but then only deducting £17 for all 4 of us?
Non peak time travel, I should add.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohioatdawn · 15/04/2025 09:27

Needmorelego · 15/04/2025 09:17

@Ohioatdawn where are you going from and too?
I have been using Railcards for decades so I might be able to have a look and see if you have gone wrong somewhere.

From Lewes to London at a weekend (railcard says discount is applied without any time restrictions at weekends).
Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohioatdawn · 15/04/2025 09:25

lifemakeover · 15/04/2025 09:14

Hmm that seems odd. I've just put in a return journey from my local station into London for 2 adults and 2 kids which also costs £78 (weirdly!) without a Railcard. When I add friends and family it goes down to £53.

Oh that is interesting, as that's a really good saving.
What times did you put in?
I put in to depart our local station after 9am and depart London after 7pm.
I chose a weekend day.

OP posts:
CatsLikeBoxes · 15/04/2025 09:18

There are "group save" fares if you travel with at least 3 people, which give up to a third off fares without a Railcard.
Also some rail companies have off peak fares for £1 for children sometimes.

Needmorelego · 15/04/2025 09:17

@Ohioatdawn where are you going from and too?
I have been using Railcards for decades so I might be able to have a look and see if you have gone wrong somewhere.

lifemakeover · 15/04/2025 09:14

Hmm that seems odd. I've just put in a return journey from my local station into London for 2 adults and 2 kids which also costs £78 (weirdly!) without a Railcard. When I add friends and family it goes down to £53.

Needmorelego · 15/04/2025 09:14

What is the separate price for adults and children?
(if you were buying them individually)

Bearbookagainandagain · 15/04/2025 09:08

The Railcard discount has restrictions, the main one being peak hours. So it could be that it doesn't apply to the entire journey, maybe check a different time.

MilesOfMotivation · 15/04/2025 09:06

Plus you have to pay for the Railcard in the first place, so need to factor that cost in.

goodnightssleepbenice · 15/04/2025 09:03

Does it say up to a third off ?

Coffeeforayear · 15/04/2025 09:03

There's a discount of train travel anyway if you travel as a group.