What is a Veterans Railcard?
The Veterans Railcard provides discounted train travel to ex-armed forces members and their families. It’s ideal if you’ve retired from the Armed Forces and are no longer eligible for an HM Forces Railcard.
You can claim your Veteran Railcard if you have served in any of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Mariners (providing you have seen duty on a legally defined military operation).
What are the benefits of Veterans Railcard?
You and a nominated companion can get a discount of 1/3 on the following tickets:
- Standard and First Class Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns
- Standard and First Class Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
- Standard and First Class Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
- Standard and First Class Advance tickets
- Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go Daily Price Cap and Off-Peak pay as you go single fares for journeys on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway (for Railcard holder only)
- London Zones 1-6 Off Peak Day Travelcard All Zones
- Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside the London Zones area, subject to minimum fare of £19.10
- Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight
You can bring four children (aged 5-15) with you who will be eligible for a discount of 60% on their tickets when you use your railcard.
There is a minimum fare of £12 on all journeys between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday, but this doesn’t apply on public holidays or during July and August.
How much does a Veterans Railcard cost?
Buy a one-year Veterans Railcard for £30, or £70 for the three-year railcard - saving £20 on the cost of renewing your 1-year Veterans Railcard over the years.
How do I get a Veterans Railcard?
You can apply online or download an application form and apply at a staffed station.
Getting a Veterans Railcard online
Getting your Veterans Railcard online is easy – head to the Veterans Railcard website to purchase a digital railcard. You will need evidence of your eligibility as a veteran:
| If you: |
You'll need to provide: |
Have an identification card or certificate
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Have an identification card or certificate A copy of either your military identification card (MOD Form 90), Veterans Recognition (ID) Card, Certificate of Service or Certificate of Discharge
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Have a notification or letter regarding a claim for injury under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
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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
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Receive ongoing award under Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
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A copy of your annual payment advice slip
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Have a notification or letter regarding a claim for injury under the War Pension Scheme
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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
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Receive ongoing award under War Pension Scheme
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A copy of your annual uprating letter
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Receive Armed Forces Pension
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A copy of either your annual payment advice slip or Gross Annual Income Statement for an Armed Forces Pension (G281ST)
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Have served as a Merchant Mariner and seen duty on legally defined military operations
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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
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Applications are normally confirmed within five days, and digital railcards can be downloaded as soon as you receive the link.
Getting a Veterans Railcard by post
To get a Veterans Railcard by post, send the completed application form, payment, passport style photo(s) and proof of eligibility to:
National Railcards
PO Box 8626
Swadlincote, DE11 1JA
Proof of eligibility and passport style photo for the card holder must be provided when buying a Veterans Railcard. Named companion must also provide a passport style photo.
Physical railcards can take up to five additional days to be received once your application has been approved.
