Frequently Asked Questions?

Most frequently asked questions

  • Can I travel on discounted tickets if my 16-17 Saver expires before I complete my journey?
    A:

    No. You will not be able to travel with your discounted tickets if your 16-17 Saver has expired. Discounted tickets are only valid if you are using them with a valid Railcard. You will need to renew your 16-17 Saver before you begin and complete your journey.

    To renew, please click’ Renew my 16-17 Saver’ on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click 'Renew card' and follow the instruction on the screen to complete your purchase.


  • Is this a one‐off fee?
    A:

    No. The 16-17 Saver is valid for one year, or until the customer turns 18, whichever comes first.


  • Can I use my 16-17 Saver for tickets for travel on the London Underground?
    A:

    If you are buying a National Rail ticket for travel into London from outside London Zones 1-9, then you will be able to buy a Travelcard as part of your rail ticket which includes travel on National Rail, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway and buses in London. 

    If you are buying a National Rail ticket that includes travel across London, then you will be able to use your National Rail ticket on London Underground to transfer between National Rail stations. 

    16-17 Saver discounts are NOT valid on:

    • Oyster pay as you go daily price cap and pay as you go single fares for journeys on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway
    • London Day Travelcards and Travelcard Season tickets within Zones 1-9
    • Tickets wholly for travel on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway

    If you travel frequently in the London fare zones, you should consider getting a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard.


  • 16-17 Saver Terms and Conditions
    A:

    Please click on https://www.16-17saver.co.uk/help/16-17-saver-terms-conditions/ for important terms and conditions that you need to understand before you use your Railcard.


  • Can I use the 16-17 Saver in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland?
    A:

    The 16-17 Saver can only be used for rail discounts in England, Scotland and Wales on all train operators except ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper. They cannot be used for rail travel in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

    If you live in Northern Ireland you can buy a 16-17 Saver to use for travelling in Scotland, Wales or England.

    For more information on concessionary rail travel schemes in Northern Ireland please see translink.co.uk or the Republic of Ireland please see irishrail.ie.


  • Can the 16-17 Saver be used to buy Season tickets?
    A:

    Yes, the 16-17 Saver gives 50% off Standard Anytime, Standard Off-Peak, Standard Advance and Season tickets. 

    It is designed to enable 16 and 17 year olds to access the same half price child fares that they could access until they were 16.

    The 16-17 Saver cannot be used as a Photocard for a paper Season ticket and if you are buying a paper Season ticket for the first time you will need to have a photocard created at a staffed National Rail Station. You will need to provide a passport-type photograph for your Photocard and the Photocard must be carried when travelling.

    If you are buying a smart Season ticket, you usually will not require a separate Photocard to validate your Season ticket. 

     


  • How long will the 16-17 Saver be valid?
    A:

    A 16-17 Saver will be valid for one year or until the holder’s 18th birthday, whichever is earliest.


  • Which services can the 16-17 Saver be used on?
    A:

    Tickets with a 16-17 Saver discount will be valid on services provided by all English and Welsh train operating companies, including cross-border journeys into Scotland. Discounted tickets will not be valid on ScotRail or Caledonian Sleeper services at the time of launch.

    For details of the ticket types that you can get a discount on with a 16-17 Saver click here


  • Can I use my 16-17 Saver in conjunction with Train Company special offers?
    A:

    No, the 16-17 Saver cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount.


  • Will I receive the 16-17 Saver discount on any chargeable items I take on the train with me?
    A:

    The 16-17 Saver discount does not cover charges on various articles or animals.

    For details about which items carry a charge, and details of the charges, please call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50


  • Can I use my 16-17 Saver to buy tickets for other people?
    A:

    No. The 16-17 Saver is for your use only, and provides discounts only on tickets bought for your own use. It does not cover anyone accompanying you.


  • Can I use my 16-17 Saver to buy my ticket on the train rather than at a station?
    A:

    Only if there is no ticket office, or the ticket office is closed and there is no ticket machine available to buy your discounted ticket at the station at which you began your journey. If this is the case you can buy your discounted ticket from ontrain staff.

    Otherwise, if ticket facilities were available at the station you could be charged the full price Standard Single fare.




Can't find an answer? 

If the answer to your question is not in the above or you are having problems purchasing your Railcard, you can contact us

Train Companies

If you have any questions concerning rail ticket prices or journey planning National Rail Enquiries will be happy to help you.

If you have any comments about a specific rail journey please contact the train company that provides the service. To find their contact details see the list of Train Operating Companies