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Family travel by train

Taking the train can be an ideal option for family holidays and days out. This page details some information that may be useful for planning your next family day out by train.

Tickets

Details of all British train tickets can be found on the Tickets page. Families will be interested to know which ticket is best for family travel. In general most single, return, cheap day return, saver and supersaver fares will offer 50% off the ticket price for children aged 5 - 15 years old. Many 'bargain' tickets (these have various names according to the train operator such as - value advance, apex, standard advance etc) do not offer a child discount as they are already heavily discounted. Children of under five years old travel free of charge and do not require a ticket. However keep in mind that they do not have a seat reservation, so if you require a seat reservation you will need to purchase a child ticket (this is probably better for an older child on a longer journey).

Railcards

The Family Railcard offers excellent discounts to families. The Railcard can be used with the following tickets:

Cheap Day Singles & Returns
Standard Day Singles & Returns
Standard Open Singles & Returns
Savers, SuperSavers
SuperAdvance and some advance purchase Single and Returns*
The Weekender and Network AwayBreaks
You can also get a discount on Off-Peak Day Travelcard (All Zones only), subject to a minimum fare level and on some other ticket types offered by individual Train Companies. Please enquire locally for details.

* These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

All child tickets are subject to a minimum £1 fare. Your Family Railcard can also provide discount on Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express and Connect services for travel to and from those Airports.

There are some tickets that the Railcard cannot be used with. These include: some peak time services, Eurostar, First Class tickets, railair links and special trains & charters.

What do you get with the Railcard?

Usually 1/3 off adult rail fares and 60% off child (5 - 15 years old) rail fares (under 5's travel free as usual) for the ticket types listed above. Therefore for a group of mum, dad and two children you would save 1/3 off the adult fares, 60% off the child fares (which are already 50% of the adult ticket) and if you had an under 5, they would travel free. You can also use it with the London Travelpass for discounts off bus and tube travel throughout the Capital.

Who can use the Railcard?

If you have one named cardholder, the minimum group size is one adult and one child. The maximum group size is three adults and four children (5 - 15 years), plus up to two under fives per adult.

For two named cardholders, the minimum group size is again one adult and one child, but up to four adults and four children can travel together (plus up to two under fives per adult). Therefore grandparents, aunts, uncles and even friends or friends of your children's can also travel together in a group as you don't have to be related to travel on the card.

The Young Persons Railcard. Of course families don't stay aged 5 - 15 forever! When the children do get a bit older, there is the Young Persons Railcard. This offers savings of around 1/3 off most rail fares to people aged 16 - 25, and over 25's still in full time education.

It is of course possible for a family to use the Family Railcard for the adults and any children still 15 or under and then for any children of 16 or over to use their own Young Persons Railcard on the same journey. It may also give the older children a bit of a sense of independence will still travelling as part of the family unit. Being available till 25 means the family can still be having days out for many years!

How to purchase a Railcard.

Both types of card are available from most staffed railway stations or rail appointed travel agents. You will need proof of age and a photo for the Young Persons Card.

You can alternatively purchase either online from Railcards Online

Family Tickets for the Caledonian Sleeper

The Caledonian Sleeper have special family tickets for travel between London and over Scottish towns were withdrawn in January 2008. However interconnecting cabins are still available and you may still buy child tickets and use your Family Railcard onboard.

Enjoy your family day out!