An older man and woman, and a younger man carrying a young boy on his shoulders, walking through the countryside on a sunny day.

Get 1/3 off rail travel

Veterans Railcard

Made for UK veterans
£35 for a 1-year Railcard, £80 for a 3-year Railcard (save £25)
Minimum fare and time restrictions apply

Buy a Veterans Railcard Renew my Railcard

Get 1/3 off train tickets

Choose a 1-year or 3-year Railcard

Save around £303 a year*

What is a Veterans Railcard?

The Veterans Railcard is here to help you save on journeys across Great Britain. Enjoy discounts on train tickets for both you and your loved ones. Save 1/3 on travel for 1 adult companion and get 60% off train tickets for up to 4 kids.

How much can I save?

A Veterans Railcard can save you around £303 each year*. Start with a 1-year Railcard for £35 or get guaranteed saving for years to come with a 3-year Railcard at just £80.

*Annual saving is based on the average savings made by combined Railcard holders between April 2025 and March 2026, excluding price of Railcard.

Travelling with an adult companion

Add 1 adult companion to your Railcard and get 1/3 off their ticket when they travel with you. Your named companion can’t be added or changed after purchase, but you can add a new companion when you buy a new Railcard.

Am I eligible for a Veterans Railcard?

You can get a Veterans Railcard if you’ve served for at least 1 day in His Majesty’s UK Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve). UK Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally-defined military operations are also eligible.

What documents do I need to get my Veterans Railcard?

You’ll need to provide proof of service, like an ID card or pension. Have a look at our eligibility list to see what documents you can use to prove your eligibility.

I have an identification card, Certificate of Service or Certificate of Discharge

You will need to provide: A copy of either your military identification card (MOD Form 90), Veterans Recognition (ID) Card, HM Armed Forces Veterans Card (MOD Form 100), Certificate of Service or Certificate of Discharge.

Defence Discount Service cards are also accepted if they display the wording ‘HM Armed Forces Veteran’. Unfortunately digital versions of this card are not accepted.

I have a notification or letter regarding a claim for injury under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

You will need to provide: A copy of either your Armed Forces Compensation Scheme notification of Guaranteed Income Payment (ongoing compensation payments), Armed Forces Compensation Scheme notification of lump sum payment (one-off compensation payment), award letter for Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or a disallowance letter for Armed Forces Compensation Scheme benefits.

I receive an ongoing award under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

You will need to provide: A copy of your annual payment advice slip.

I have a notification or letter regarding a claim for injury under the War Pension Scheme

You will need to provide: A copy of either your War Pension Scheme award notification (ongoing compensation payments), War Pension Scheme award notification gratuity (a one-off pension gratuity), War Pension Scheme award notification for supplementary allowances, or a disallowance letter for War Pension Scheme entitlement.

I receive an ongoing award under the War Pension Scheme

You will need to provide: A copy of your annual uprating letter.

I receive an Armed Forces Pension

You will need to provide: A copy of either your annual payment advice slip or Gross Annual Income Statement for an Armed Forces Pension (G281ST).

I have served as a Merchant Mariner and have seen duty on legally defined military operations

You will need to provide: A copy of the personal details page from your Discharge Book, along with the vessel name on which you served and the operation name and date.

Replacement documents

If you do not have access to any of the above documents, you may be able to contact the issuing body and request a re-issue. Please visit the Veterans Railcard eligibility page for further details.

*Please note: MOD Form 90 cards cannot be reissued.

Name change

If the name on your eligibility documents is different from the name you now use, you will need to upload proof of this name change as part of the online application. Acceptable documents are Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate or Deed Poll documents.

What travel discounts can I get with a Veterans Railcard?

What’s included

Travel at any time. A minimum fare of £12 applies if travelling before 10am, Monday to Friday
Minimum fare does not apply to Advance tickets, on public holidays, or during July and August
Ticket types:
- Standard and First Class Anytime (Day, Single, or Return)
- Standard and First Class Off-Peak (Day, Single, or Return)
- Standard and First Class Super Off-Peak (Day, Single, or Return)
- Standard and First Class Advance
In and around London:
- Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go daily price cap and single fares (National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway)
- Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your ticket from outside London Zones 1 to 9 (subject to minimum fare of £23.60)
- Off-Peak Day Travelcard, London Zones 1 to 6
- Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express
PlusBus day tickets
Combined rail to sea journeys:
- some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight
- Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport
- Stena Line ferries to the Republic of Ireland
- discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station or on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport
Rover tickets and Ranger tickets

What’s not included

Season tickets, including Travelcard Season
Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets, unless using Oyster pay as you go
Eurostar tickets
Some promotions and offers from specific train companies
Tickets for special excursion or charter trains, some coach and bus links, and RailAir services

View full terms and conditions

How to buy your Veterans Railcard

What do I need to buy a Veterans Railcard?

To buy a Veterans Railcard, you will need to provide proof of your veteran status to verify your eligibility online, and a passport-style photo.

Check if you are eligible for a Veterans Railcard.

How do I buy a Veterans Railcard online?

To buy online, visit the Veterans Railcard sales page and follow the instructions on screen. You will need to provide proof of your veteran status and a passport-style photo.

Please note that it can take up to 5 working days to process your application.

For a digital Railcard

Once your online payment has been successful you will receive an email confirmation and acknowledgement of your application number (this confirmation cannot be used to buy discounted tickets).

After your application has been checked, which can take up to 5 working days, we will then send you another email with an activation link to download your Railcard to the Railcard app.

For a physical Railcard

Please allow up to 15 days for standard delivery
Special Delivery orders placed before 5pm, Monday to Thursday, are delivered within 7 days
Special Delivery orders placed before 11am, Friday to Sunday, are delivered within 8 days

How do I buy a Veterans Railcard by post?

To buy by post, simply download a Veterans Railcard application form and send the completed form, your evidence of eligibility, a passport-style photo of yourself and your named companion (if applicable), and payment to:

National Railcards

PO Box 8626

Swadlincote

DE11 1JA

Please make cheques and postal orders payable to ‘ATOC Ltd Railcard’.

When applying by post please allow 20 days for your Railcard to be delivered from date of posting your application form.

How to use your Railcard

Buy your Railcard

Buy a digital or physical Railcard online, or you can buy a physical Railcard at a staffed station.

Book your tickets

Use your Railcard when buying tickets to save instantly.

Illustration of a purple phone with a Railcard on the screen, sitting in a yellow handbag

Carry your Railcard

Keep your digital or physical Railcard on you when travelling.

Why people choose a Railcard

" One of the most memorable experiences facilitated by the Railcard was a reunion with some of my former comrades. We hadn’t seen each other in years, and the discounted travel made it possible for all of us to gather and reminisce about our time in service."

James

Need a helping hand?

If you need support with your Railcard or your account, we can help.

Get help with my Railcard

Who can get a Veterans Railcard?

A Veterans Railcard is available to anyone who has seen service in the UK Armed Forces. This includes visitors to Great Britain.

Eligibility for a Veterans Railcard

Anyone who has served at least 1 day in His Majesty’s UK Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve)
Anyone who has been a UK Merchant Mariner and seen duty on legally defined military operations

Find out which documents you can use to prove your veteran status.

Can I use my Veterans Railcard to buy tickets for other people?

Yes, you can use your Veterans Railcard to buy tickets for other people if they travel with you on the same journey.

A Veterans Railcard gives you 1/3 off tickets for 1 adult companion and 60% off tickets for up to 4 children. They must travel with you to get the Veterans Railcard discount.

You can name 1 adult companion on your Railcard.

Can I use my Veterans Railcard for travel on London Underground?

Yes! You can get 1/3 off an Anytime Day Travelcard with your Veterans Railcard if you’re travelling into London from outside London Zones 1 to 9. A minimum fare of £23.60 applies.

You can also load your Railcard discount onto an Oyster card and get 1/3 off single Off-Peak pay as you go fares on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway. The Oyster card must be registered in your name.

Load your Veterans Railcard discount onto your Oyster card

Simply take your Railcard and Oyster card to any staffed London Underground station, Oyster Ticket Shop, or Visitor Centre. A team member will help you load your Railcard discount onto your Oyster card.

Enjoy fantastic deals on days out when you travel by train

Find things to do, 2FOR1 deals, 1/3 OFF savings and many other great discounts at top attractions across Great Britain, with National Rail’s Days Out Guide.

Visit Days Out Guide