You can keep all your Black Friday bargains because there's just one deal I never miss at this time of year: discounted train tickets thanks to a railcard.
A railcard, like the best Black Friday luggage deals, is a practical purchase that keeps on giving - and it could save you one-third off train travel for a whole year. Letting the train take the strain can be one of the most enjoyable methods of travel, not to mention a more sustainable alternative. But rail tickets can be eye-wateringly expensive unless you book in advance. Invest in a digital railcard, however - which you store on your phone in the Trainline app - and you can use it immediately to get one-third off eligible journeys for 12 months, saving you an average of £167 a year. (Another option is to buy a three-year railcard and save even more on your train tickets.)
So, whether you want to make 2025 the year you explore more of the UK or spend more time visiting friends and family, a railcard is one Black Friday bargain you'd be mad to miss. Your year of adventure by rail starts here!
Quick links to Black Friday travel deals
- Amazon: 15% off National Express coach travel for Prime students
- The Trainline: Save an average of £167 a year with a railcard
Today's best Black Friday railcard deals
I’ll be honest: shopping for railcards isn't the most glamorous Black Friday bargain hunt. So, to spare you, I've rounded up all the railcard deals in this handy list, including a Family & Friends Railcard for those who like to travel by train together. Your only task is to decide which railcard is right for you.
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 |
| Family & Friends Railcard | 1/3 off adult fares and 60% kids' fares | £30 | £70 |
| Two Together Railcard | 1/3 off adult fares for two named people travelling together | £30 | Not available |
| Senior Railcard | 1/3 off | £30 | £70 |
| 26-30 Railcard | 1/3 off | £30 | Not available |
| 16-25 Railcard | 1/3 off | £30 | £70 |
| 16-17 Saver | 50% off | £30 | £70 |
| 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 |
| Network Railcard | 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' fares in London and the South East of England | £30 | Not available |
How much do railcards cost?
You can buy a railcard for £30 for a year or £70 for three years - which works out at around £23.30 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.
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