Railcards

[ajandjjmum]

I travel by train quite a lot, and would do moreso if it wasn't for the cost.

DCs have the 16-25 railcard, but as I'm not yet 60 (!!!), I can't find a railcard that would offer a 'regular' traveller any discount.

I do use Trainline to book, but am I missing a railcard that would be suitable - or is it case of 'save the planet but bankrupt yourself!!!'?

you can get the 16-25 railcard if you are a student. but other than that, i dont think there is anything. :( hopefully someone will come along and say i am wrong

It just seems crazy to me that as a regular train user I cannot get some sort of card, and pay the same as someone who does the same journey once.

At least, it's crazy if they're trying to encourage travel on public transport.

Where are you? If you are in the SE there is the network railcard

Network railcard is brilliant! Do they not have that (or something similar) outside the SE then?

I had forgotten that mine had expired last time I went on the train and was at the full-price cost!

I saw that - but no - I'm in the Midlands and my travel is Edinburgh, London and Sheffield. All really expensive! Thanks for the idea though!

Friends and Family railcard is great if you travel with at least one child (even one you wouldn't normally buy a ticket for if they're under 5).

Disabled Railcard is for a much wider range of people than say blue badges, eg anyone with a NHS hearing aid.

Network Card if in the South East (which goes all the way down to Exeter!)

There's Rover tickets and similar for lots of regions if you want to do lots of travel in a few days or a week.

The train company for your region will have deals not available on thetrainline and usually not charge for using credit cards etc. Also look at single ticket prices for going outside of commuter times.

But if none of those work - yeah, expensive, isn't it!

Unfortunately they don't work citrus!

DC now 17 and 19 and don't often travel with me.

DS has two weekly appts at Great Ormond Street - he travels down from Sheffield by train, using 16-25 railcard. I sometimes travel by train to meet him, but it's often cheaper by car, which seems crazy to me. What doesn't help is that his appt. is normally at midday.

Then will visiting various universities etc., I'm spending about £250 per month on 4/5 train journeys. Crazy!!

I did write to Virgin a while ago asking if they had any appropriate cards - got no response.

Thanks for your suggestions though.

You could try using the 'split ticket' method to get your fares down.

Browse over to moneysavingexpert.com and take a look at the travel section there. You could also post on the forum for advice.

I do buy two singles normally - is that what you mean?

Never looked at moneysavingexpert - will give that a go - thanks!

Split ticketing is where, for example, a ticket from Penzance to Edinburgh costs £££££, but a ticket from Penzance to Birmingham, and then Birmingham to Edinburgh costs much less (I think)!

Wow - I'd never thought of that. Will have a look.

Split ticketing could help you a lot if you can do a short journey at peak time then the bulk of the journey after 9.30.

Some deals here for Sheffield: www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

Or there's always coaches... they have loos nowadays!

True citrus - but they sit in the same traffic that I do in my car!!!

Thanks for that - I shall explore.