Can you gift a Railcard?
Can you buy a Railcard for someone else?
Yes! Railcards can be purchased for someone else. You can gift a Railcard to anyone, but lots of parents and grandparents choose to buy them for their children and grandchildren.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, friend or family member, finding a useful gift for teenagers and students is not always easy, especially when so many of them already have the latest gadgets and subscriptions.
At the same time, whether it’s commuting to sixth form, travelling to university, visiting home during breaks or seeing friends across the country, transport can quickly become one of the biggest ongoing expenses for young people.
That’s why more families are choosing practical gifts that support everyday life. You can buy a Railcard to help students and teenagers save money throughout the year. A 16–17 Saver or 16–25 Railcard is more than just a present, it’s a practical way to support independence, education and affordable travel.
Why travel costs matter for students and teenagers
Travel becomes a much bigger part of life during the late school, college and university years.
Young people may regularly travel for:
sixth form or college commutes
university travel
visiting family
placements or part-time jobs
social trips and weekends away
holidays and seasonal travel
Without discounts in place, those journeys can quickly add up over the course of a year.
For families supporting students financially, helping reduce regular travel costs can make a genuine difference.
Many families also renew Railcards annually to continue supporting travel savings year after year.
Why Railcards make easy gifts
Parents and grandparents often choose Railcards because they are simple to purchase and easy to use.
Benefits of gifting a Railcard
quick online purchase process
digital or physical options available
practical value all year round
suitable for birthdays, Christmas or university preparation
Unlike many gifts, a Railcard continues delivering value every time the recipient travels.
Choosing the right Railcard
The best Railcard depends mainly on the traveller’s age and education stage.
16–17 Saver: Helping younger travellers save
The 16–17 Saver is designed specifically for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Eligible travellers can save 50% on most rail fares across Great Britain.
It can also help young people build confidence travelling independently while keeping journeys more affordable.
16–25 Railcard: Ideal for university students
The 16–25 Railcard is popular with university students and young adults.
Eligible travellers can save 1/3 on most rail fares across Great Britain.
For students regularly travelling during term time, the savings can quickly outweigh the cost of the Railcard itself.
How much could they save?
Savings will vary depending on travel habits, but many students and teenagers use their Railcard regularly throughout the year. For frequent travellers, annual savings can often exceed the cost of the Railcard.
16-17 Railcard holders save an average of £417 a year* |
16-25 Railcard holders save an average of £212 a year* |
*Annual saving is based on the average savings made by combined Railcard holders between April 2025 and March 2026, excluding price of Railcard.
How to gift a Railcard
Buying a Railcard for someone else is straightforward.