Buying train tickets for a teenager for college

[mumma24]

My son is going to college 2 days a week by train. I would like to pay by card On my phone but how does it work? How does he get a ticket? Thought about a mobile ticket but there’s no option for that on the apps I’ve looked at. Help

You either get a code he can put into the ticket machine at the station for a ticket to be printed or a ticket that is emailed to you and can be printed out or in some cases shown on your phone.

On ours you can get a smartcard which you load tickets onto online. Having said that, mine is just going into the ticket office and buying his ticket there by debit card every day at the moment as we haven't got round to doing the smartcard. Has he got a railcard? Mine has that on an app on his phone.

Also how old is he. The 16-17 railcard gives really good discounts or the 16-25 railcard ok discounts but not in morning peak.

Yes, mine has the 16-17 and it halves the cost even in peak times.

Would it be worth transferring him the fare and letting him buy his tickets daily? Good responsibility in budgeting maybe?

He’s 17, I’ve just ordered a rail card thank you

Good idea. He needs to make an appointment at the bank as needs a new card

My DD had the Trainline app on her phone but with my creidt card details linked. She booked her own tickets and was still able to use her 16-17 railcard but it meant i didn't have to keep transferring the money.