Railcard

There are two separate railcards for the forces community and they cover different groups. The HM Forces Railcard is for serving personnel and their families. The Veterans Railcard is for those who have left. Knowing which applies is the starting point — both give a third off rail fares but the eligibility, cost and application process differ.

The HM Forces Railcard — For Serving Personnel

The HM Forces Railcard costs £21 for 12 months and gives a third off most adult rail fares across Great Britain, covering Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak and Advance tickets in both Standard and First Class. It also gives 60% off child fares for up to four children aged under 16 travelling with the cardholder.

The card is available to serving members of the Regular Armed Forces, Volunteer Reserves and their spouses, civil partners and dependent children. It cannot be bought at a station or online — applications go through Unit HR admin staff in the Royal Navy and Army, or via the RAF HR Portal for RAF personnel. War widows and widowers can apply through the Royal British Legion.

A £12 minimum fare applies to weekday journeys before 10am, except during July and August and on public holidays. Advance tickets carry no minimum fare.

The Veterans Railcard — For Former Service Personnel

The Veterans Railcard is separate from the HM Forces Railcard and available to anyone who served at least one day in HM UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve. UK Merchant Mariners who saw duty on legally defined military operations also qualify. It costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years and can be bought online.

It gives the same third off Standard and First Class fares and works at peak times — one of the few railcards that can be used for peak travel. A named companion also gets a third off when travelling with the cardholder, and up to four children get 60% off child fares. The same £12 minimum weekday morning fare applies except in July, August and on public holidays.

The Veterans Railcard can be loaded onto an Oyster card for a third off Off-Peak pay-as-you-go fares on London Underground and DLR services — useful for veterans based in or visiting London.

Who Is Eligible for Each Railcard

Serving Regular and Reserve personnel, their spouses, civil partners and dependent children: HM Forces Railcard. Veterans who served at least one day in HM UK Armed Forces: Veterans Railcard. War widows and widowers can apply for the HM Forces Railcard through the Royal British Legion. Merchant Mariners on legally defined military operations qualify for the Veterans Railcard.

How Much Can Forces Personnel Save

A third off rail fares compounds quickly for anyone travelling regularly. A London to Manchester return at standard Off-Peak pricing of around £60 becomes roughly £40 with the discount. For families, the 60% child fare reduction adds further savings. A family of four travelling on a single adult fare plus three child fares sees the total cost fall significantly compared to paying full price.

The £21 HM Forces Railcard pays for itself after two or three journeys on most intercity routes. The £35 Veterans Railcard breaks even at a similar point. For anyone travelling by train more than a handful of times a year, both cards represent clear value.

For other travel savings available to the forces community, the travel and days out section covers current deals on coaches, flights, hotels and holidays.

How to Apply

For the HM Forces Railcard: contact Unit HR admin staff (Royal Navy or Army) or apply via the RAF HR Portal. The card is not available at stations or through the National Rail website.

For the Veterans Railcard: apply online at the Veterans Railcard website. Proof of eligibility is required — a military or Veterans ID card, notification letter from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, or proof of receiving a War Pension award.

For coach travel savings as an alternative to rail, the National Express military discount gives serving personnel 60% off coach fares and veterans 30% off — worth comparing for routes where both options run.

Key Terms and Restrictions

Both railcards are for leisure travel only — commuting between home and place of duty, work or education is excluded. The £12 minimum fare applies to weekday morning journeys before 10am on most ticket types, except during July and August, on public holidays, and on Advance tickets. Neither card works on Eurostar, Hull Trains or Season tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HM Forces Railcard?

A £21 annual railcard giving serving personnel, their spouses and dependent children a third off most GB rail fares and 60% off child fares. It is issued through Unit HR admin staff and cannot be bought at stations.

What is the Veterans Railcard?

A railcard for former armed forces personnel who served at least one day. It costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years and gives a third off Standard and First Class fares including at peak times. A named companion also receives the third-off discount when travelling together.

Can reservists get a railcard?

Yes — members of the Volunteer Reserves are eligible for the HM Forces Railcard alongside Regular personnel.

Can war widows and widowers get a railcard?

Yes — war widows and widowers can apply for the HM Forces Railcard through the Royal British Legion.

Does the railcard work on London Underground?

The Veterans Railcard can be loaded onto an Oyster card for a third off Off-Peak pay-as-you-go fares on London Underground and DLR. The HM Forces Railcard does not include this Oyster benefit.

Is there a minimum fare on the forces railcards?

A £12 minimum fare applies to weekday journeys before 10am on Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. This does not apply to Advance tickets, or during July and August, on public holidays, or at weekends.

More Forces Deals You Might Like

For coach travel, the National Express military discount gives 60% off for serving personnel and 30% off for veterans — a strong alternative for routes where coach is practical. The travel and days out section covers the full range of current travel discounts for the armed forces community including flights, hotels and holidays.