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What happens if i don't have my railcard with me and i have to buy a new ticket or pay a penalty fare.

If you are travelling by train on a ticket with a Railcard discount, you must travel with your valid Railcard. If you forget your Railcard you will either be required to buy a new ticket or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare. However, a train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year where this happens.

Each train company will have their own process for doing this. You will need to provide proof of your Railcard and either the original and additional tickets that you have purchased, or if you have not yet paid, details of the notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare. Where you have already paid for additional tickets you should contact the relevant train company’s customer services department; in the case of a notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare, you should follow the instructions included on how to challenge or appeal the charge.

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What is a Railcard? Your Ultimate 2024 Railcard Guide + FAQ

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Wondering if you should get a Railcard ? (or what it is in the first place ? ). Look no further. Here’s everything you need about Railcards in the UK — from a London travel blogger.

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Living in one of the most expensive cities in the world tends to make you think of ways you can save a pretty penny or two. Cue Railcards .

Over the past seven years, using Railcards has saved me hundreds of pounds in transport in the UK, allowing me to get the cheapest fares on trains, the Tube, DLR, London Overground, National Rail, and even the Elizabeth Line.

But what is this magical card, you ask?

In this post, I’ll be answering ‘what is a Railcard?’, ‘what does a Railcard do?’, how to decide if you need a Railcard, what types of Railcards are there, how to get a Railcard, and some quick final tips to help with your Railcard journey (no pun intended). Let’s get into it!

If you definitely know you want a Railcard already, you can purchase your Railcard here .

If you definitely know you want a Railcard already, just skip down to the section ‘How Do I Get a Railcard?’ for a step-by-guide on how to get it set up or purchase your Railcard here .

What is a Railcard? Your Ultimate Railcard Guide + FAQ

What is a Railcard?

Before you think about getting a Railcard, you should probably know what it is.

A Railcard is a card issued by the National Rail network in Britain that allows passengers to get discounted fares when they use certain types of trains and other methods of transportation.

It’s available for adults and children alike, so everyone can benefit from discounted fares!

What Does a Railcard Do?

It makes it rain! In discounts that is.

When you purchase a Railcard , you’ll receive up to 1/3 off most train tickets. You can also get discounts on other services such as the Tube, DLR, London Overground, and the Elizabeth Line if you’re in London.

Each Railcard has different and very specific eligibility criteria and offers different types of discounts, so it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the one that best suits your needs.

How Much Is a Railcard?

As of 2023, Railcards start from £20 – £30 for a 1-year Railcard or £54 – £70 for a 3-year Railcard .

What you pay will depend greatly on what type of Railcard you’re applying for. To figure that out, have a look at the chart below!

How to Decide If You Need a Railcard

Deciding if you need a Railcard comes down to one thing — how long you’ll be in London.

Travelling to London:

As you’ll need to pay for a Railcard yearly, I don’t think it’s worth going through the process of getting a Railcard and utilizing the discounts if you’ll only be here for a week or two.

Since the price is £30 for 1-year or £70 for 3-years, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting an ROI on your savings (i.e – saving more than £30 a year/£70 in 3-years through the discount), which can only really happen if you’re here for an extended amount of time.

With that said, if you’re travelling loads by train during your London trip — it may be worth calculating if the savings would be worth it.

Short-term stays, Living in or Moving to London:

On the other hand, if any of the above applies to you the answer is YES, you should definitely get a Railcard .

Whether you’re a short or long-term Londoner — living in the city is synonymous with a lifestyle of constant travel on public transport, so why not save 1/3 off travel when you can?

What Types of Railcards Are There?

There’s currently nine types of Railcards , each offering various discounts for a certain demographic. These include:

• 16 – 17 Saver – 50% off Rail travel
• 16-25 Railcard – 1/3 off Rail and certain travel fares
• 26 – 30 Railcard -1/3 off off-peak Rails and certain travel fares
• Disabled Persons Railcard – 1/3 off Rail and certain travel fares for you and a friend or travel buddy
• Family & Friends Railcard – 1/3 off off-peak Rails and certain travel fares for four adults and four children who’ll get 60% off (must be aged 5-15)
• Network Rail – 1/3 off Rail fares in South East England, including up to 3 adults and 4 children
• Senior Railcard – 1/3 off all off-peak journies
• Two Together Railcard – 1/3 off off-peak Rail travel for you and your travel buddy (doesn’t need to be a couple)
• Veterans Railcard – 1/3 off Rail travel

P.S – Click here to learn more about which Railcard you’re eligible for

How Do I Get a Railcard?

Once you’ve decided whether or not a Railcard is right for you, you’ll need to get one. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1️⃣ IMPORTANT : Have a valid passport, UK licence, or EEA national identity card and a digital passport-style photo (or a really good selfie!) saved to your computer ready — you’ll need this to verify your identity and get your Railcard set up.

2️⃣ Head to Trainline and select ‘I know the right railcard for me’ or fill in the questionnaire about your age and travel habits to get the right option for you

3️⃣ Follow the steps and make sure you’ve downloaded the Railcard app to your phone to activate your pass

4️⃣ Go to your nearest Underground station and ask the TfL staff to connect your Oyster to your Railcard (you can do it on your phone as well, but I’ve found this way to be quicker/easier)

5️⃣ Start using your glorious Railcard discount!

Final Tips on Getting a Railcard: Railcard FAQ

• You can only connect your Oyster card to your Railcard. So if you’re currently using your contactless card, you’ll need to switch over to be able to take advantage of your Railcard discount ( Read More: Oyster Card vs Contactless: Which Should I Use? )
• Remember the 1/3 off pay-as-you-go Oyster travel is for off-peak fares only, so the discount won’t be applied when you’re travelling in peak times (Monday to Friday, except public holidays, between 06:30 and 09:30, and 16:00 and 19:00)
• Railcard discounts don’t work on buses (but buses are the cheapest out of all London transport options, so you’ll still save loads)
• Despite popular belief, Railcards are not just for British residents! So if you’re travelling here for an extended time and taking a lot of trains/public transport, it may be worth calculating if getting a Railcard would be worth the 1/3 discount during your stay (at £30 a year)
• Don’t hesitate to get your Railcard! Every day you don’t have it, you’re missing out on amazing transport deals in London & the UK — thank me later!

Thanks for reading my ‘What is a Railcard?’ Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on  Instagram !

Check out more london guides:.

• How to Get Around London: Your Ultimate Transport Guide
• Oyster Card vs Contactless: Which Should I Use?
• 5 Best Short-Term Accommodation Options in London
• Moving to London
• London Neighbourhood Guides

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How to save on UK rail fares: all the tips and tricks

From using one of nine railcards to splitting a journey into separate train tickets

Use a railcard for a 33% saving

Everyone knows about the young person’s railcard – or, to give it its proper name, the 16-25 railcard – but are you aware of the 26-30 railcard’s existence, or that the senior railcard is available to all those aged 60 and over?

There are now nine railcards to choose from , and about the only group that doesn’t have a railcard aimed at them are single people aged 31 to 59. And even they have the option to buy a Network card for use across the southern half of England, including in and out of London.

The most popular railcards cost £30 a year (or, in many cases, £70 for three years) and typically give a 33% discount on the ticket price. Users of some of the cards (including the 16-25 and 26-30 cards) can use them at peak times – albeit with a £12 minimum fare. Others, such as the senior users, have to mostly travel off-peak, which generally means after 9.30am or, annoyingly, 10am in the case of the Network card.

In some cases users will save the card’s purchase price in one or two trips. They are now available digitally (to be kept on a mobile) or in paper form. Just don’t forget to take it with you or to keep your phone charged.

Do you still need a full-time season ticket?

In response to more people working part of their week at home, the rail industry has started offering flexible season tickets that typically allow users to travel on any eight days in a 28-day period.

The problem is that in many cases the discounts are not sufficient to make them worthwhile. When MoneySavingExpert crunched the numbers, it found part-time season tickets offered the best value to those travelling two days a week, but even then not in all cases. If you go into the office for either one, or three or more days a week, you are likely to be better off buying daily tickets, or the full season ticket, it concluded.

One of the biggest ways to save money while commuting is to shift your travel to off-peak – assuming your boss will allow it. This makes particular sense if you can often add a railcard, too. For others, Carnet tickets offer a 10% discount on certain routes but again only off-peak.

Going long distance – buy in advance, and look at singles

Rail companies are now like the airlines in that the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get a cheap advance ticket. It is generally best to start looking for tickets about 12 weeks before your journey. That is the point that Network Rail must have the timetable set. Train operators commonly release cheap advance tickets then, unless you are travelling on Avanti West Coast, in which case anything goes.

Don’t automatically buy a return, as two singles are now often cheaper – so check before you input your credit card number. If you are travelling by rail this Christmas, tickets on most lines are now on sale.

Another tip is to avoid the high-demand days and times. Just as it generally is cheaper to fly on a Wednesday to Europe, train fares come down hugely on the days and times when demand is lowest. Switch to a train leaving London after 7pm and the fare drops significantly.

Get a free alert when tickets go on sale

Put your journey details into the Trainline ticket alert system and you will receive an email when advance tickets for that specific journey go on sale, which are commonly the cheapest fares. The only problem with using Trainline is the booking fees it charges – up to £1.75 for tickets that can be bought fee-free elsewhere.

Check online last minute

If you missed the 12-week deadline and find yourself travelling last minute, don’t despair. If tickets haven’t sold out, seven rail firms now let you buy the cheaper advance tickets on the day. Check the website on the way to the station as it may be a lot cheaper than the walk-up fare.

Split ticketing

Heading to Durham from London on a train that stops at York, it could well be cheaper to buy two tickets – one to York and another on to Durham. A host of websites and apps will work out whether you can save money by buying two or more tickets for your chosen journey.

Four sites stand out. TrainPal appears to be the cheapest as it doesn’t impose fees but reviews suggest it won’t always find the cheapest options. Split My Fare and TrainTickets.com are slicker but will charge 15% or 10% of the saving made respectively. However, they only work via the website rather than an app. Trainsplit is another one worth looking at. It also charges 15% but it does offer an app.

The savings will really vary but can be generous. For example, those booking a standard return from Taunton to London will pay £105. However, if you split the journey at Pewsey, you can get the fare down to £42.70 – a saving of £62.30.

To use split tickets you don’t need to get off the train but the train has to stop at the station at which you theoretically change trains. For those regularly making the same journey, it is worth exploring all the options.

Claim any Delay Repay refunds due

You would be amazed at how many regular rail users don’t claim the compensation due when their train is delayed. The exact terms of the refund vary according to the train operator but in most cases passengers are entitled to a 50% refund once they have been delayed by an hour, and a full refund once you are two hours late. Make sure you keep hold of the ticket rather than ripping it up in frustration as you may well need to present a photo of it as part of your claim.

Take the coach instead

While taking a coach from, say, Glasgow to London might be considered a step too far for many people, on certain routes taking the coach is almost as quick as the train, and so much cheaper. This is especially true if you are travelling at the last minute and all the “cheaper” advance fares have gone. This week National Express was quoting only £4.90 for next-day travel from London to Bristol – leaving at 8am and arriving a bit under three hours later. Great Western Railway wanted £100 for an early morning departure, or £55 if I was prepared to wait until 9.32am for a train that arrives at Bristol Temple Meads after the coach had arrived.

The Bristol route is a winner because the coach is on a motorway for almost the journey’s entirety but there are plenty of other coach trips that take longer than the train, although not so much as to justify the extra cost. Weigh up the total journey times – bus stations are often closer to the city centre or your final destination as well.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Money Saving Railcards

If you are on the National Rail Journey Planner the chances are you are hoping that you can make your upcoming rail journey as affordable as possible! One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by using a money saving railcard. If you want to know more about railcards then you need to read this guide, where we answer some FAQs. 

What types of railcards are available? 

There are currently nine main types of railcard available to members of the British public. 

These are: 

• 16-17 Saver: Allows 16 and 17 year olds to save up to 50% on rail fares. 
• 16-25 Railcard: Allows people aged 16-25 or mature students in full time education to save ⅓ on their rail fares. 
• 26-30 Railcard: Lets people aged 26-30 save ⅓ on off-peak rail travel. 
• Disabled Persons Railcard: People with a disability who meet the criteria for this railcard can enjoy ⅓ off rail fares for themself and a companion/ friend. 
• Family & Friends Railcard: With this railcard, up to 4 adults can save ⅓ on rail fares and up to 4 children aged 5-15 could get 60% off. The users do not need to be related, just making the journey together. 
• Network Railcard: You and up to 3 other adults and up to 4 children travelling in the South East of England can save ⅓ off rail fares with this railcard. 
• Senior Railcard: The Senior Railcard gives over 60s the ability to save ⅓ on off peak rail travel. 
• Two Together Railcard: This gives two passengers travelling together ⅓ off off-peak travel. It’s a popular option for couples but you can also use it with a friend or family member. 
• Veterans Railcard: This railcard has recently been introduced. It gives UK Veterans a discount on their rail fares. 

How much do railcards cost?  

All railcards cost £30 for one year apart from the disabled persons railcard which costs £20 for one year. 

16-25, family & friends, senior and veterans railcards can also be bought for £70 for three years which can bring about additional savings. A disabled persons railcard can also be bought for a 3 year discount with one lasting for this duration costing £54. 

How do I get a railcard? 

If you have established that you are eligible for a railcard and you would like to purchase one, you can buy them from the official UK railcard website . 

When you purchase your railcard, you will need to provide information including your name, address, date of birth and sometimes a passport-style photo of yourself. 

Are railcards worth it? 

This is arguably the most important question that people must ask when they are contemplating whether to get a railcard. For the most part, railcards are worth it. In some cases, the savings from just one journey can allow passengers to make back the cost of the railcard! In other cases, it might take a couple to a few journeys to make back the cost. However, the more frequently you use your railcard, and the more expensive the journeys you take are, the more you will save.  

You may also want to get your hands on a railcard sooner rather than later because this month (March 2023) rail fares are increasing by up to 5.9% .

Is there anything else I need to bear in mind when travelling with a railcard?  

For the most part, if you have a rail card and you have bought train tickets, your journey should run cheaply and smoothly. However, you should always make sure you have your railcard to hand with your tickets as most operators will check you are travelling with a valid railcard when you have received a discount. 

You should also check that your railcard is in date on the day that you travel with it. 

Failing to show a valid railcard when you have bought tickets claiming to have one could lead to you being charged extra. 

To save even more on your rail tickets, make sure you buy them from us, nationalrail.com today! 

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Frequently Asked Questions?

Most frequently asked questions

Railcards can be used for rail discounts in the area known as Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). They cannot be used for rail travel in either in Northern Ireland nor the Republic of Ireland.

If you live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland you can buy a Railcard to use for travelling in Scotland, Wales or England. 

The download code allows you to add a purchased digital Railcard to the Railcard app on your device. It is found within the email confirmation you would have received after we have approved your Railcard application.

If you have purchased your Railcard from the Railcard website you will need to click 'Manage my Railcard' on the website or homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, please click ‘Get a new download code’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your Railcard to a new device.

If you are asked to remove 1 device, click the Bin icon next to the device you want to remove your Railcard from and then click 'Remove'. The system will generate a new download code for you which can now be used to add your Railcard to your device.

Click here for more information on download code and managing your Railcard.

Please note that the Railcard app is available to download from the Apple Store and the Google Play store.

Check your mailbox (including your junk mail) for an email from our Railcard team.

If you still can’t find it, you will need to click 'Manage my Railcard' on the website or homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, please click ‘Get a new download code’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your Railcard to a new device.

Click here for more information on download codes and managing your Railcard.

If your download code isn’t working, it is likely that it has expired or has been used to activate your Railcard on too many devices. You can only store your digital Network Railcard on a maximum of 2 devices, so you may need to remove it from an existing device to add it to a new one. 

If the problem persists, please contact the customer services team on 0345 3000 250.

Click here for the step by step guide on how to generate a new download code.

You can buy your Senior Railcard online or at a staffed station Ticket Office.

To buy online, simply click ‘’Buy Now’’ on the website homepage and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number to prove your date of birth and a digital passport-style photo if you have selected 'Digital' under 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like' section.

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).

If you have purchased a plastic Senior Railcard, please allow 5 working days for delivery. You can choose to pay for ‘Special Delivery’, but you will have to place your order before 15:45pm to guarantee that your Railcard is delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you are unable to wait for your Senior Railcard to be delivered to you, you can also download and complete an online application form and go to any staffed station Ticket Office to apply in person. You will need to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number to prove your date of birth.

If you have purchased a digital Senior Railcard, a download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

You will not be able to travel on discounted tickets until you have your Railcard.

The Railcard App is available to download from the Apple Store and the Google Play store.

The App is only compatible with devices that have the following software: Apple iOS 14.0 and above and Android 5.0 and above.

The Railcard app is  not  compatible with Windows Phones.

In the first instance please contact Railcard Customer Services who will endeavour to resolve any issues that you have. 

We're open from 07:00am to 22:00pm everyday of the year except for Christmas day.  You can:

Email us:         [email protected]

Call us on:       0345 3000 250

Write to:           

National Railcards

PO box 8626

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If you are not satisfied with the resolution we give, you are entitled to contact:

www.transportfocus.org.uk/help/rail-complaints

http://ec.europa.eu/odr/

Yes. You must show your valid Senior Railcard (digital or plastic) when you buy your ticket and travel on the train. Failure to present a valid Railcard will mean you have to pay a full fare or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare.

A train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year where this happens providing you can show that you owned a Railcard before you started your journey.

Each train company will have their own process for doing this. You will need to provide proof of your Railcard and either the original and additional tickets that you have purchased, or if you have not yet paid, details of the notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare. Where you have already paid for additional tickets you should contact the relevant train company’s customer services department; in the case of a notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare, you should follow the instructions included on how to challenge or appeal the charge.

Yes. You can buy a 1-year Senior Railcard over the counter at all staffed stations ticket offices. You will be required to provide your passport or UK driving licence or birth certificate or EEA National Identity Card as proof of your date of birth.

Railcards issued at stations cannot be renewed online. You will need to create an account and purchase a new Railcard.

To buy a new Senior Railcard, please go to the website homepage, click ‘Buy Now’ and follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to provide either a passport or driving licence number or EEA National Identity Card and you will also need to provide a digital passport-style photo if you have selected 'Digital' under 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like' section.

Not if you already hold a Senior Railcard that was issued by our online service. Please note that Railcard issued at a station cannot be renewed online. You will need to create an account and purchase a new Railcard.

To buy a new Railcard, please go to the website homepage, click ‘Buy Now’ and follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to provide either a passport or driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number and you will also need a digital passport-style photo if you have selected ‘Digital’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section.

Please click ‘’Buy Now’’ on the website homepage and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number to verify your date of birth online and a digital passport-style photo if you have selected ‘Digital’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section.

If you have ordered a plastic Senior Railcard, please allow 5 working days for delivery. You can choose to pay for ‘Special Delivery’, but you will have to place your order before 15:45pm to guarantee that your Railcard is delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you have ordered a digital Railcard, a download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

If you have ordered a plastic Senior Railcard online, please allow 5 working days for delivery. If you paid for Special Delivery and placed your order before 15:45pm, your Railcard will be delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you have purchased a digital Railcard, it will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

You cannot travel on discounted tickets until you have received your Railcard.

You will need to wait 7 working days, then go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the Senior Railcard website homepage to log in to your account and apply for a replacement. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Replace Railcard (Lost or stolen)’. Select ‘lost’, then click continue and follow the instructions on the screen. Please check that your address is correct before you order.

You will be sent a free replacement provided you do this within 30 days of your application date. If 30 days has passed from your date of purchase you can still request a replacement card, but you will have to pay a £10 replacement fee.

Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between two stations in the  Network Railcard area  of validity.  Check locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ.  This restriction does not apply on public holidays.

Digital Railcards are stored within the Railcard app on your smart phone or tablet, meaning there’s no need to carry the physical card around with you. They can be stored on up to two devices and used quicker than plastic Railcards as they do not need to be sent in the post.

Click here for more information on managing your Railcard

Yes, you can.

Simply click ‘Buy Now on the website homepage to get started. When you get to the question 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like' select 'Digital' and follow the instructions on the screen to complete your purchase.

You can also buy a Railcard at Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport rail stations, Luton Airport Parkway and Manchester Airport – but NOT at London Heathrow Airport.

No. You must carry your Railcard with you on any journey where you have bought discounted tickets with the Railcard.

Therefore, if you buy discounted Railcard tickets before you receive your Railcard, you do this at your own risk.

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

Click here for the step by step guide on how to renew your Railcard.

If you have selected 'Digital' under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section, your digital Senior Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your digital Railcard. 

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

Yes. You can use it with the 2FOR1 Days Out Guide promotions and most offers given by train companies. Please note that your Railcard may get you the full 1/3 discount on some Train Company special offers, but many offers include a smaller discount or no discount at all. It's best to ask at your local station for details of a specific offer, or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.

Alternatively, you can visit www.nationalrail.co.uk .

The Railcard 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.

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.

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

Yes, providing that there are reservations available on the service on which you are travelling. Many train companies will allow you to reserve a seat free of charge on longer distance journeys.

Please check with the local ticket office staff before buying tickets.

Please click ‘Renew my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to account. Once logged in, click ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard, select 'Digital' or ‘Plastic’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section and follow the instruction on the screen to complete your purchase.

Click  here  for the step by step guide on how to renew your Railcard.

If you bought your Railcard online, please go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account and apply for a replacement. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Replace Railcard (Lost or stolen)’. Select lost or damaged, then click continue and follow the instructions on the screen. You will also have to pay a £10 administration fee.

Please note that you can only apply for a replacement Railcard 5 days after the date of original purchase and only one replacement may be issued in a 12-month period.

If you bought it at a station, provided you can produce the completed "Receipt" portion of your original application form, then you can apply for your lost or damaged Railcard to be replaced at any staffed station ticket office. You will also have to pay a £10 administration fee.

To replace a stolen Railcard you bought online, please go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active Railcard, then click on ‘Replace Railcard (Lost or stolen)’. Select ‘stolen’, then click continue and follow the instructions on the screen. You will have to provide a crime reference number, or a document given to you by the Police for a free replacement. You can also call our Helpline on 0345 3000 250.

To replace a stolen Railcard you bought at a station, please go to a station with your crime reference number/documentation given to you by the police and some form of identification to be issued with a free replacement Railcard.

Yes. Please visit the ‘Offers & Competitions’ page for more details.

If you have already purchased a digital Senior Railcard, you should have received an email which contains a download code. You will use this download code to add your digital Senior Railcard on your phone or device.

First, you will need to download the Railcard app from the Apple Store or the Google Play store. Once downloaded, open the app and tap on the ‘+’ symbol on the ‘Your Railcards’ screen. The ‘Add Railcard’ screen will then show, and you will need to tap on the ‘+’ symbol under ‘Add an existing Railcard’ to enter your download code and add your Senior Railcard.

Click here for the step by step guide on how to add a digital Railcard to your phone.

Digital Railcard can be bought online only. Please click 'Buy Now' on the website homepage to get started. When you get to the question ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’, select digital and follow the instructions on the screen to continue with your purchase.

In most cases, your digital Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

If you lose the device where your digital Senior Railcard was downloaded, you will need to log in to account and remove it from the lost device.

Simply click ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active digital Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Manage Digital Devices’ and select the device you want to remove.  Once you have removed one device on your account, please click ‘Request a new code for your Railcard’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your digital Senior Railcard to a new device.

Please note that you can only store your digital Railcard on a maximum of 2 devices.

In most cases, your digital Senior Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your digital Senior Railcard.

Please go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active digital Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Manage Digital Devices’ and select the device you want to remove.  Once you have removed one device on your account, please click ‘Request a new code for your Railcard’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your digital Senior Railcard to a new device.

Yes! You can renew your digital Railcard within 30 days of its expiry to a digital Railcard.

Simply click ‘Renew my Railcard’ on the homepage, enter your log in details, click on ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard, select 'Digital' under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section and follow the instruction on the screen to complete your purchase.

You cannot swap a plastic Railcard to a digital Railcard. However, when the time comes to renew your Railcard you can do this online and choose to have a digital Railcard.

You can store your digital Railcard on up to two devices at a time.

If you want to add it to a third, you will need to remove it from one of your existing devices through your account.

Simply go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active digital Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Manage Digital Devices’ and select the device you want to remove. Once you have removed one device on your account, please click ‘Request a new code for your Railcard’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your Senior Railcard to a new device.

You will need to contact our customer support team on 0345 3000 250 so that we can better understand the activity that has caused your Railcard to be blocked.

If appropriate, they will be able to help you get back online with your Railcard.

If we detect suspicious activity on your Railcard, it will be blocked until we have had the chance to speak to you.

During this period, your Railcard will no longer be valid for travel.

If your Railcard has been blocked, you will need to contact our customer support team on 0345 3000 250.

**Excessive device changing can result in a Railcard being blocked**

If you don’t have any battery life, or have forgotten your device, it won't be possible to check that your Railcard discount is valid.

You could be asked to buy a single ticket for your journey, or be issued with a Penalty Fare.

If you do get caught out while travelling, you can make one claim a year to be refunded for any extra fare or penalty you incur.

For a list of train companies in Great Britain, and their details, click  here .

Unfortunately, you can only have one version of your Railcard – either plastic or digital. Once you have purchased your Railcard you cannot change the type of Railcard you have.

Please go to "Manage my Railcard" on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, on the top right of your account summary page, please click on your ‘Menu Profile’ and select ‘Personal Details’. You will be given the option to update or change your personal details, including your address.

Or you can also click on https://secure.railcard.co.uk/account/personal-details , enter your log in details and the ‘Manage Personal Details’ page will show. You can now change or update your personal details including your address.

If you are using a driving licence to apply, please make sure that the name you use to apply for your Railcard is typed into your application in exactly the same format in which it is shown on your driving licence.

This means that if an apostrophe or hyphen in your name has been left out of your name on your driving licence you need to leave it out of the name you use for your Railcard.

For example, if your name is “O’brian” and it is shown as “Obrian” (without the apostrophe) on your driving licence, then you should type it as “Obrian” in your Railcard application.

We accept machine readable passport codes from all countries except for those issued in the Philippines and Bangladesh prior to 2010. So, if you have a valid passport your passport code should work.

When inputting your passport details into the system please ensure you are entering all characters including each chevron “<” where it appears on your passport. You will need to input:

• 10 digits or characters into the first box
• three letters in the second box identifying your nationality
• seven digits in the third box
• an F or M identifying your gender in the fourth box
• seven digits in the fifth box
• the last two digits of your passport code in the sixth box. If you only have one digit in this section, please add a 0 in front of it. 

If all the above information is correct and the system says that your number is still invalid, please c heck that the information you have supplied on the Cardholder Details page is correct. You must:

• use your full name as it is shown on your passport. Do not use any shortened version of your name (for example, “Bob” when you are “Robert” on your passport)
• put your personal name in the “Your First Name” field and your family name in the “Your Surname” field
• make sure that your gender is as it is shown on your passport

If you opt for a digital Railcard, you must provide a photograph. The photo should have been taken with nothing covering the outline of eyes, nose or mouth. The rail industry applies the same rules as the DVLA and Passport Agency, so photos with a person wearing a full facial burka / niqab (a veil that covers the face) are not acceptable. If a member of rail staff is unable to validate that the person on your Railcard is you, the Train Companies reserve the right to charge you the full price Standard Single fare for your journey as if no ticket was purchased before starting the journey and in some cases a Penalty Fare.

We accept online payment via credit and debit cards. The cards accepted are: Visa, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, MasterCard, MasterCard Debit, Maestro and Solo. We cannot accept American Express or Diner's Club.

Please check that you have read each character of the code correctly. We do try to use codes that are easy to read, but occasionally applicants might confuse,

• the letter “I” with the number “1”
• the letter “O” with the number “0”(zero)
• the letter “S” with the number “5”.

If any of these characters appear in your code, please try their alternatives. If this does not work please, call us on 0345 3000 250 and we will be able to check the status of the code you have.

You can renew your Senior Railcard bought online within 30 days of its expiry to a digital or a plastic Railcard.

Railcard are available offline for a period of up to 72 hours. The Railcard app on your device will continue to show your digital Railcard as long as your mobile device has connected to the internet at some point within the last 72 hours. However, you will need an internet connection to buy your digital Railcard or add it to a new device.

No. Unfortunately, once a Railcard has been issued it is non-refundable.

Travelling on a Sleeper Train usually requires two payments: one for the rail ticket and one for the berth. The Railcard will give you a discount on the rail ticket element, but not on the berth fee. From time to time, the different Train Companies providing sleeper services may advertise special offers for Railcard holders.

Due to the pandemic far fewer people have been travelling by train. This means that the government is offering additional financial backing to the rail industry so that services keep running to support the economy.

If you order online then yes, you can order one up to 14 days in advance of your 60th birthday. Please note that you cannot buy Railcards in advance of your 60th birthday from rail stations.

Due to the pandemic fewer people have been travelling by train. Funding is currently being used to keep services running to support the economy. 

You can use your Railcard on all franchised train operating companies that provide services within England, Scotland and Wales. Railcards do not give discounts on Eurostar services, Charter services, and Heritage Railways unless state otherwise.

Railcards issued at stations are printed on paper. On rare occasions, the way that the surface of the Railcard interacts with the plastic in some ticket wallets destabilises the print and makes it fade. If this has happened to your Railcard you can take it into a staffed rail station and they will replace it free of charge. Most stations will be able to check the validity of the Railcards by running it through the ticket–issuing machine to check when it was originally issued.

The “Internal Server Error” message is a generic error message which relates to issues to do with the way your browser is interfacing with the Railcard website. Sometimes this problem can occur if you are using compatibility mode in Internet Explorer (versions IE10 and lower).  

In Internet Explorer 10 you can click the compatibility mode button to switch it on or off. 

In Internet Explorer 11 there is no compatibility mode button so to access the Compatibility settings you will need to click on the Settings icon. In the menu that is subsequently displayed you will find “Compatibility View Settings” – click this. In the Settings panel that displays, make sure that railcard.co.uk is not the box entitled, “Websites you’ve added to compatibility view”.  If it is please click on the entry and click the remove button, then click to close it.

• Can I use a provisional driving licence to apply online? A: Yes. Provisional driving licences can be used to demonstrate your age to our online system
• Can I get a discount on Season tickets and period Travelcards with a Railcard? A: No, we’re sorry but the Railcard gives no discount on these types of ticket.

If you are travelling by train on a ticket with a Railcard discount, you must travel with your valid Railcard. If you forget your Railcard you will either be required to buy a new ticket or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare. However, a train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year where this happens.

Each train company will have their own process for doing this. You will need to provide proof of your Railcard and either the original and additional tickets that you have purchased, or if you have not yet paid, details of the notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare. Where you have already paid for additional tickets you should contact the relevant train company’s customer services department; in the case of a notice to pay of notice of Penalty Fare, you should follow the instructions included on how to challenge or appeal the charge.

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• Renew my Railcard
• Manage my Railcard

Managing your digital Railcard

What is a digital railcard.

• What is a digital Railcard download code?

How do I add a digital Railcard to my device?

Lost/replacement download code, frequently asked questions.

Digital Railcards are stored within the Railcard app on your smart phone or tablet, meaning there’s no need to carry the physical card around with you. They can be stored on up to two devices and used quicker than plastic Railcards as they do not need to be sent in the post.

The Railcard App is available to download from the  Apple App Store and the Google Play Store . The App is only compatible with devices that have the following software: Apple iOS 10 and above and Android 4.1 and above. The Railcard app is not compatible with Windows Phones.

How can I buy a digital Railcard?

Digital Railcards can be bought online only, go to the Railcard.co.uk  to get started. Once you have chosen your Railcard, you will be directed to your chosen Railcard website to buy your Railcard. When you are prompted to 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like', choose 'Digital'.

How quickly will I get my new digital Railcard?

In most cases, you should get your digital Railcard instantly after following the steps in the 'How do I add a digital Railcard to my device' section below.  Those applying for a Disabled Persons Railcard, Veterans Railcard or 16-25 Railcard as a mature student, will have to wait a little longer as these applications are checked manually. In which case please allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be approved.

Can I renew to a digital Railcard?

Railcards can be renewed within 30 days of expiry, to either a digital or a plastic Railcard. Just log into your account and select 'Digital' when completing the application process.

What is the digital Railcard download code?

You need a digital Railcard download code to add your Railcard to your device. You can find this code in the email we send after you complete your Railcard application.

I can’t find the download code

If you can’t find your download code, please check your mailbox (including your junk mail) for an email from our Railcard team. If you still can’t find the email, you can request a new code by selecting the button below. Or you can return to the website where you bought the Railcard, log in to your account and follow the links to request a new download code, as per the 'Lost/replacement download code' section below.

Get a new download code here

Open the app*, and tap on the "+" symbol in the top right hand corner to get started.

Select "Add an existing Railcard" at the top of the screen.

Enter the download code you received in an email titled "Your digital Railcard download code", and click continue.

*The Railcard App is available to download from the  Apple App Store and the Google Play Store .

The download code that you received in your email expires after 10 days. If your download code has expired, or if you aren't able to find the email we sent you, please follow the steps below to generate a new download code.

Do you need a new download code for your 16-17 Saver or Veterans Railcard?

Please note:  the steps below are for all railcards, except 16-17 saver and veterans railcard. if you need a digital railcard download code for any of these two railcard, please follow the links below..

• How to generate a new digital Railcard download code for a 16-17 Saver .
• How to generate a new digital Railcard download code for a Veterans Railcard .

Follow the link to ' My Railcard ', and scroll down to the Railcard you would like to generate a download code for - click "Get a new download code"

You can now use this new download code to add your Railcard to a new device.

If you are asked to remove 1 device, click the bin icon next to the device name and then click 'Remove', the system will generate a new download code for you.

What happens if I have no battery life or can’t show my Railcard?

If you don’t have any battery life, or have forgotten your device, it won't be possible to check that your Railcard discount is valid. You could be asked to buy a single ticket for your journey, or be issued with a Penalty Fare.

If you do get caught out while travelling, you can make one claim a year to be refunded for any extra fare or penalty you incur.

What happens if I don’t have reception or I am offline?

Railcard are available offline for a period of up to 72 hours. The Railcard app on your device will continue to show your digital Railcard as long as your mobile device has connected to the internet at some point within the last 72 hours. However, you will need an internet connection to buy your digital Railcard or add it to a new device.

What happens if I lose my device?

In the unfortunate scenario where you lose your device, you can simply add your digital Railcard to a new device. If your Railcard is already associated to two devices, please log in to your account and you will find an option to Manage your devices for any active Railcards you own. Simply select the device you want to remove. Once you have done this you will be able to add your Railcard to a new device.

Why can’t I add my Railcard to another device?

You can store your digital Railcard on up to two devices at a time.

If you want to add it a third, you will need to remove it from one of your existing devices using the steps descirbed above.

Why has my Railcard been blocked?

If we detect suspicious activity on your Railcard, it will be blocked until we have had the chance to speak to you.

During this period, your Railcard will no longer be valid for travel.

If your Railcard has been blocked, you will need to contact our customer support team.

**Excessive device changing can result in a Railcard being blocked**

How do I unblock my Railcard?

You will need to contact our customer support team so that we can better understand the activity that has caused your Railcard to be blocked.

If appropriate, they will be able to help you get back online with your Railcard.

I have a plastic Railcard, can I swap it for a digital one?

Unfortunately you are unable to swap a plastic Railcard to a digital Railcard. However, when the time comes to renew your Railcard you can do this online and choose to have a digital Railcard.

Can I have a plastic and digital version of my Railcard?

Unfortunately you can only have one version of your Railcard – either plastic or digital. Once you have purchased your Railcard you cannot change the type of Railcard you have.

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• Digital Railcards

Using a Two Together Railcard

When can I use a Two Together Railcard?

A Two Together Railcard can be used to buy discounted tickets for travel from 09:30 Mondays to Fridays, and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. The only time you can't use your Two Together Railcard is at morning peak times, i.e. before 09:30 Monday to Friday.

Who can use a Two Together Railcard? 

Anyone aged 16+ can use a Two Together Railcard – the only requirement is that you must travel together with the other cardholder for the discount to apply. Although it's often thought of as a 'couples Railcard', it's also great for friends, family members, flatmates or colleagues who regularly travel together. 

Can you travel alone with a Two Together Railcard? 

No, you cannot travel alone with the Two Together Railcard – you must travel with the second named adult on your Railcard. The two named cardholders must travel together for the entire journey for the discounted tickets to remain valid. 

Can the Railcard be shown on both travellers devices?  

The Railcard is associated to only the email address it was purchased under and it can be shown on the account holders Trainline App. The Railcard can not be shown on the other cardholders account, but we hope that doesn’t matter as you both need to travel together anyway.

Digital Railcards live on our app

Digital Railcards are added to your Trainline account, so you can access them on any compatible device you travel with. Please be aware that the minimum Operating System (OS) your Railcard would be available on is iOS 13.4 and above or Lollipop on Android. There are no device limits or download codes needed.

I bought a Railcard on Trainline, but now I can’t find it in the app. 

To view your Railcard in the app, you'll need to first log in to your account with the same email address you purchased with. After logging in, navigate to the Account tab and tap on "Your Railcards" to bring up the list of Railcards you've purchased. Then tap on "Download Railcard" to download it to your device. 

I bought a Railcard for someone else 

The Digital Railcard photo must be that of the persons who are going to use it for travel. The Railcard will only show in the App if logged in with the same email address as purchased. To move the Railcard to a different email address entirely then please contact us . 

I no longer want the Digital Railcard 

Railcards can be refunded within 14 days of purchase as long as they haven’t been used to buy discounted tickets.  Please contact us to request a refund. 

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Frequently Asked Questions?

What happens if i have no battery life or can’t show my railcard.

If you don’t have any battery life, or have forgotten your device, it won't be possible to check that your Railcard discount is valid.

You could be asked to buy a single ticket for your journey, or be issued with a Penalty Fare.

If you do get caught out while travelling, you can make one claim a year to be refunded for any extra fare or penalty you incur.

For a list of train companies in Great Britain, and their details, click  here

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Add Tap2Go to your SWR smartcard for pay as you go travel on our network

What is tap2go.

Where can I use Tap2Go?

Tap2Go can only be used on South Western Railway (SWR) services and is valid for travel across all of the SWR network including journeys on SWR services within the London fare zones.

You can only use Tap2Go as far as London Waterloo and it cannot be used to travel to any other London Terminal beyond London Waterloo (such as Waterloo East, Charing Cross or London Bridge). Your Tap2Go smartcard may be used to travel on Southern services between Dorking and London Victoria or Dorking to London Bridge including intermediate stations when using Southern services.

Tap2Go is also accepted at GWR stations (Reading, Exeter Central and Exeter St David’s) when travelling on SWR services that call there.

Tap2Go can’t be used on combined train and ferry tickets to and from the Isle of Wight, but you can use it for journeys on the mainland and Island Line  independently. Please check our map to see where Tap2Go can be used .

Tap2Go can’t be used on TfL’s Underground, Overground, TfL Rail, Bus, River Bus and tram services.

Download our network map (PDF, 74Kb)

How do I get Tap2Go?

You’ll need an SWR Touch smartcard to register for Tap2Go. Once registered, we’ll take a pre-authorisation charge of £1.00. This £1.00 set up fee ensures that the payment card is genuine and allows a continuous authority payment to be established for charging future transactions to the card. The £1.00 fee is refunded the following day, unless a journey is made, in which case, it is used as a credit towards the first journey charge.

Already have an SWR smartcard?

• Login to your SWR account
• Choose "Add Tap2Go to existing smartcard"
• Follow the steps and select the station to activate Tap2Go
• Submit your order
• Add Tap2Go to your smartcard from your chosen station within seven days – this will start a Tap2Go journey

Don’t have an SWR smartcard?

• Create an SWR account or login to your SWR account
• Select Tap2Go in the menu options
• Choose "New Tap2Go smartcard"
• Follow the steps

You’ll receive your new Touch Smartcard with Tap2Go in five working days. Get a Tap2Go smartcard

Important message for customers with more than one smartcard in their account

When you sign up to Tap2Go, it is added only to the smartcard you nominate and not to any other smartcards within your SWR account. Train tickets (including weekly, monthly, monthly plus and annual season tickets) added to the same nominated Tap2Go smartcard will be taken into account when calculating your Tap2Go fare. We strongly recommend not adding Tap2Go to a smartcard that contains a Flexi Season ticket. If you have a smartcard with a Flexi Season ticket and want to use Tap2Go, you’ll need to order a new smartcard .

If you have another smartcard in your account with train tickets added to it, this will not be included when calculating your Tap2Go fare.

Things to know before you sign up to Tap2Go

• Only sign up if you’re travelling in the next 30 days so you can activate Tap2Go on your smartcard, otherwise you may need to sign up again
• You must touch in and touch out on yellow smartcard readers for every journey you make - even if you have a  season ticket
• If you don’t touch in or touch out, we can’t tell where you’ve travelled from or to and work out the right fare for your journey. If you don't autocomplete the journey as soon as possible in your account, we may charge a £25 incomplete journey penalty
• We’ll communicate with you about your Tap2Go account by email, so you’ll need to check for emails from us regularly
• Tap2Go can’t be used on Transport for London (TfL) or other train company’s services
• First Class fares  aren’t available on Tap2Go
• Child fares aren’t currently available on Tap2Go
• Add up to two Railcards  to your Tap2Go account using the ‘My Account’ functionality. To add a Railcard log into your SWR account and select ‘Manage your Railcard’ from the left hand menu
• You will need to link a valid credit or debit card to your account and keep it up to date to use Tap2Go

When you sign up to Tap2Go, we charge £1 to verify your payment card to allow a continuous authority payment to be established for charging future transactions to the card. This £1 charge will be refunded the following day unless you travel, in which case it’ll be used as credit towards your first journey charge.

Remember, you should only sign up if you’re travelling in the next 30 days so you can activate Tap2Go on a yellow smartcard reader. Tap2Go smartcards can only be used by the named account holder.

How does Tap2Go work?

You must always touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end of your journey. Tap on the yellow smartcard readers at SWR stations which can be found on the gates or the validators on the platform. We can then tell where you have travelled and charge you the best walk-up fare for that completed journey. Payment is taken automatically the day after travel.

Using Tap2Go

If you don’t tap in and tap out, you’ll be travelling without a valid ticket and liable to a penalty fare. Your Tap2Go account will also register an incomplete journey. If you do not complete the journey details in your account, you may be liable to a £25 incomplete journey charge.

How much will I be charged using Tap2Go?

Journeys on the swr network and island line.

You’ll be charged the cheapest fare for the journey that you would get if you bought your ticket from a ticket office or ticket machine on the day of travel. Ticket types you will be charged are Anytime  Day Single; Anytime Day Return; Off-Peak  Day Single; Off-Peak Day Return; Super Off-Peak  Day Single; Super Off-Peak Day Return; Evening Out  Single; Evening Out Return; Sunday Out  Single; Sunday Out Return; weekly season ticket  and weekly (outboundary) London Travelcard . If you add a Railcard to your Tap2Go account, this will be taken into account when the fare is calculated.

Weekly Capping

Weekly capping is now available when using Tap2Go so you can travel as frequently as you like in the knowledge you won’t pay more than the equivalent weekly season ticket if you travel between the same two stations on the SWR network.

Weekly capping limits how much you pay for all journeys in a fixed Monday – Sunday period. If you travel daily between the same two SWR stations, the weekly cap will automatically create an equivalent season ticket in your Tap2Go account, saving you money.

For example: Woking to London Waterloo daily price is £27.10. The weekly season price is £101.80 so if you make 4 journeys in one Monday – Sunday period, the price is capped on the fourth journey.

^Based on point to point journey taken 5 times in a week period starting Monday and ending Sunday.

If you start your journey later in the week, for example from Thursday to Wednesday, there may not be enough days up to Sunday to reach the weekly cap as determined by the system which calculates journeys Monday – Sunday. In this case, you should load a weekly season ticket onto your smartcard.

Please note that weekly capping will not initially be available on journeys to or from Epsom, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Boxhill & Westhumble and Dorking.

Journeys within the London fare zones

When your journey on SWR services is within the London fare zones 1-6, we’ll charge you TfL’s Oyster  pay as you go fares, pay as you go capped fares, Travelcard  or National Rail fare, whichever is cheapest.

Charges if you don’t touch in and touch out

If you don’t touch in and touch out on journeys, you’ll need to login to your account to complete the journey or you’ll be charged £25 for an incomplete journey.

Same station exit

If you touch in and touch out at the same station within 15 minutes, no fare will be charged and we’ll assume you decided not to travel.

Help and support

If you think you’ve been charged incorrectly, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 0345 6000 650 or [email protected]

If your journey is validated on Tap2Go and delayed by 15 minutes or more, you can claim Delay Repay on southwesternrailway.com/delayrepay

If you're having problems with your smartcard or Tap2Go, get in touch or read our  smartcard FAQs .

Introduction

Your South Western Railway (“SWR”) Touch Smartcard and Tap2Go account are issued subject to the following Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions set out your rights and obligations.

Your Smartcard is issued free of charge and remains the property of SWR.

We reserve the right to withdraw the Touch Smartcard or Tap2Go account at any time.

The conditions of use for your Touch Smartcard can be found here .

Any ticket that you buy and use for travel on a Touch Smartcard is issued subject to the National Rail Conditions of Travel and Railway Byelaws. Further details and a copy of these conditions are available at southwesternrailway.com. Tickets stored on a Touch Smartcard are subject to normal refund rules in accordance with the National Rail Conditions of Travel (NRCoT) .

Please note that railway staff or agents have no authority to make individual exceptions to the NRCoT, Railway Byelaws or any of the additional Terms or Conditions contained or referenced within this document.

Tap2Go Terms and Conditions of use

October 2022 until further notice

• You will need to register for Tap2Go through your SWR account. If you have more than one smartcard in your account, please note that Tap2Go can only be loaded onto one Touch Smartcard and that card must belong to the account holder (rather than dependents for example). Tap2Go can either be loaded to an existing SWR Touch Smartcard or you can request a new one.
• A valid debit or credit card must be associated with your account. You must also agree to a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA) via your payment card. A CPA is an agreement between you and us that authorises us to withdraw money from your account via your payment card without having to seek individual repeated consents from you. By using Tap2Go on your Touch Smartcard you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions of use and providing consent for us to deduct automatic payment from your payment card using CPA.
• You must keep your credit or debit card details up to date. The payment card associated with your account may be changed at any time. If your details are not up to date and failed payments occur, we will notify you via email to ask for the details to be updated and payment to be made. We may try and debit your payment card at a later stage on more than one occasion.
• You must ensure there are sufficient funds available in your nominated payment card account to cover Tap2Go charges payable to us. Your Tap2Go account will be closed and legal action taken to recover any amounts owed following three consecutive failed payment requests.
• If we are unable to take payment from your nominated payment card and you continue to make journeys using Tap2Go, you are still liable to pay any fares accrued and we may take steps to recover debts owed.
• When you register for your Tap2Go account an initial charge of £1.00 is required to pre-authorise your payment card. This ensures that the payment card is genuine and allows a continuous payment authority (CPA) to be established for charging future transactions to the card. This £1.00 initial fee will be refunded to the payment card the following day if no travel has occurred in the same period. If you travel on the same day, the £1.00 will be credited towards your first journey.
• If you already have a smartcard and you add Tap2Go to it, you must collect it within 30 days from your nominated station, touching your card on the yellow smartcard reader, otherwise you will need to register again; or
• If you order a new smartcard with Tap2Go already loaded, you must use/activate it within 30 days of sign up otherwise you will need to register again.
• In order to activate your Tap2Go account, in accordance with condition 1.8 above, you must tap in at a station within the SWR Tap2Go area (highlighted green on the Tap2Go map) .
• When your account balance falls below zero, we will make a payment request to cover the journeys made. The threshold of the account is zero therefore we will not charge any amount that brings your balance above zero.
• Any additional credit will be refunded to the registered payment card linked to your account, bringing your account balance to £0.00.
• If we are unable to refund the credit balance back to the payment card associated with your account, we will offer you an alternative option for instance, holding a positive balance on your Tap2Go account, an e-voucher or cheque. E-vouchers will be applicable only to the Touch Smartcard user’s online account for use against ticket purchases through the website. Cheques are made payable to the registered Smartcard user and posted to the address associated with the Smartcard.
• Your Tap2Go Touch Smartcard can only be used on South Western Railway (“SWR”) operated services within the Tap2Go network area except for the scenario set out in condition 3.2 below. This includes Island Line services. If a journey begins or ends outside of the Tap2Go network, the journey will be considered invalid and incomplete.
• Your Tap2Go Touch Smartcard may be used to travel on Southern services between Dorking and London Victoria or London Bridge, including all intermediate stations. Please note that weekly capping is currently not available on stations including and between Dorking and Epsom.
• Tap2Go is not currently available for travel using services operated by Transport for London (TfL). You can only use Tap2Go as far as London Waterloo, it cannot be used to travel to any other London Terminal except as set out in condition 3.2 above.
• Tap2Go is not valid for travel on ferry or hovercraft services between the mainland and the Isle of Wight.
• You must always tap in at the start and tap out at the end of your journey by placing your Touch Smartcard on the card reader at gatelines or using a platform validator.
• The act of tapping-in your SWR Touch Smartcard creates a contractual relationship between you and the relevant participating operator, whereby you agree to pay the ‘Best Day Fare’ (see how this is calculated at condition 6 below) and the relevant participating operator agrees to facilitate your travel for that particular journey. Tapping-out concludes your journey and the contractual relationship associated with it.
• If you decide not to travel, for example due to disruption or cancelled trains after you have tapped in at the station, you will need to tap out again within 15 minutes. If you tap in and then out again outside of 15 minutes, you may be liable for an incomplete journey charge.
• If you do not touch in or out, no fare can be calculated. We will contact you via email to ask that you complete the journey via your account. You can do this by adding missing ‘taps’ to an incomplete journey, you should do this as soon as possible following it’s occurrence. You can take this action up to 3 times in a 28 day period after which time you will need to contact customer services. You may be asked to provide a reason why you were not able to tap in or tap out on your Journey.
• If you do not tap in and out when you travel and do not subsequently complete your journey as per condition 5.1 above, you may be charged an incomplete journey charge of £25 per journey.
• Where possible, we will auto-complete incomplete journeys up to 3 times in a 28-day period based on your previous journey history, further failures to complete a journey may result in an incomplete journey charge.
• Failure to tap in or out on 4 or more occasions may result in account closure.
• You have until the Wednesday following the date of travel to complete your journey. After this time, your journey can no longer be amended and any incomplete journey charge applied to your account will stand.
• If there is a delay in tap data being received by our system which can lead to your fare being incorrectly calculated or incomplete journey notifications sent, we will automatically amend your Tap2Go charges as necessary once the information is received.
• At the end of each day, all your journeys will be assessed to calculate the best fare (see how we calculate the best daily fare conditions 6.3 and 6.4 below). These journeys will then be charged to the registered payment card the day after travel. In the event that you hold a positive balance on your account, this will be refunded back to your nominated bank card to ensure the account returns to £0.00. The exception to this is if the Tap2Go account has been manually adjusted by SWR in the case of an incorrect fare being charged (see 9.0 below). In order to calculate the best fare, you must tap in and out. If you do not, you may be charged the £25 incomplete journey charge, unless conditions 5.1 or 5.3 apply.
• You are liable to pay the relevant fares for all journeys taken using your Touch Smartcard, as registered through your account to use Tap2Go via the CPA on your registered payment card.
• The Best Day Fare offer is based on tickets that can be bought on the day of travel. We will charge you the cheapest fare available on your particular day, and route, of travel based upon the taps you have made on your journey and the journey length, to calculate the route you took. Fares are based on paper equivalent tickets defined as: i. Standard Anytime Single & Return (Peak) ii. Standard Off Peak Single & Return (Off Peak) iii. Super Off Peak Day Single & Return (Super Off Peak/Evening Out) iv. Weekly Season Ticket v. Oyster fares for journeys made wholly within the London zones 1-6. Where journeys occur within the London zones 1-6, journeys will be price matched with the equivalent Oyster zone day fare or day Travelcard price for journeys that begin or end outside the London area. When a Journey is made within the Tap2Go area, your rail Journeys will be reviewed and the best fare calculated on your behalf.
• It should be noted that weekly season Travelcard ticket fares made wholly within the London zones 1-6 will not be in scope for the weekly capping offer. Instead customers would be capped at the relevant point to point fare, e.g. Surbiton to London Terminals rather than Surbiton to zones 1-6.
• The fare calculation will take into account any tickets you may have used through your SWR Touch Smartcard. We will continually review all of your travel undertaken during each Monday to Sunday travel period, and identify where a weekly ticket can be charged in place of additional daily tickets, in order to provide you with the best fare for that travel period.
• Child discounts and boundary fares are not currently available on journeys made using Tap2Go.
• Break of journey is available whilst using Tap2Go, the best daily fare will be calculated.
• Period returns are not available. If you travel out on day one and return on day two, you will be charged a single fare for each journey.
• First Class travel is not available when using Tap2Go. You will need to purchase a separate ticket when traveling in First Class.
• Each time you tap out at a station, the journey will be considered completed, unless you tap in and continue your journey within 4 hours and 36 minutes – in this instance we will calculate the best daily fare for the journeys completed.
• The following Railcard Discounts can be added to your Tap2Go account using the ‘My Account’ functionality: • 16-17 Saver • 16-25 Railcard • 26-30 Railcard • Annual Goldcard • Disabled Persons Railcard • HM Forces Railcard • Network Railcard • Senior Railcard • Veterans Railcard • Job Centre Plus Travel Discount Card Please note Railcard discounts are only available for the card holder when using SWR Tap2Go, they are not available for accompanying travellers e.g. Family & Friends Railcard; Two Together; GroupSave and additional passengers with a Network Railcard.
• A maximum of 2 railcards can be added. Using Tap2Go on your Touch Smartcard with other pre-purchased tickets You can hold pre-purchased tickets such as season tickets, singles and returns along with Tap2Go on the same SWR Touch Smartcard, with the exception of Flexi Season tickets. You must always tap in and tap out for each journey you make to avoid an incomplete journey charge (see 5.2 above).
• Season tickets: Where a journey is made that is covered by your season ticket, no charge will be made through Tap2Go. If you travel outside the validity of the ticket within the Tap2Go network area , you will be charged the appropriate fare for that part of the journey through your Tap2Go account.
• Daily tickets: Where a journey is made that is covered by a pre-purchased single or return ticket, no charge will be made through Tap2Go. If you travel outside the validity of the ticket within the Tap2Go network area , you will be charged the appropriate fare for that part of the journey through your Tap2Go account. However, please be aware that if you break your journey between the origin and destination of your single or return ticket, the location where you break your journey may not be recognised resulting in an additional charge covering the same journey. Please contact our Customer Services Team on 0345 6000 650 if you experience this.
• Flexi Season: Tap2Go and Flexi Season should not be loaded onto the same SWR Touch Smartcard. We strongly recommend that a separate SWR Touch Smartcard is used for each product, this will allow you to choose the correct product for your journey.
• In addition to touching in and out when you start, finish or break your journeys, you must produce your Touch Smartcard when asked to do so for inspection. The Touch Smartcard will be checked for any valid tickets. If you don’t tap in at the start of your journey, no valid ticket will be displayed, and you may be liable to pay a penalty fare for travelling without a ticket.
• The registered holder of the card is liable to pay the fare for all journeys made. If your Touch Smartcard is used by someone else, we will not be held liable for any journeys completed without your consent.
• If you have forgotten your Touch Smartcard, you must purchase a valid ticket to travel. If you have an additional season ticket on your Touch Smartcard that covers the journey you are making, you may be entitled to a refund of a single or day return fare purchased.
• If you lose your Touch Smartcard, you must contact the Customer Services Team on 0345 6000 650 as soon as possible. Your card will be blocked to ensure it cannot be used by anyone else. A replacement Touch Smartcard will be issued with any products held preloaded. If you notice any charges made using your reported lost Touch Smartcard, you must notify the Customer Services Team on 0345 6000 650 immediately. We will refund you for any journeys made following contact to report the loss.
• If you believe you have been charged the wrong fare for the journeys completed using Tap2Go, please firstly check your Tap2Go journey history by logging into your Tap2Go account. Amendments can be made to your journey data where a journey is ‘incomplete’ or has been ‘auto filled’. Tap2Go journeys are calculated in a Monday to Sunday ‘travel period’. Amendments can be made until Wednesday in the week following your travel date. Our Customer Service team can also assist in amending journeys, and can be contacted on n 0345 6000 650. If upon investigation, we find that you were charged the wrong fare, we will adjust your account balance and your registered payment card will be refunded. 
• Delay Repay compensation is available when you are delayed by 15 minutes or more at your destination station. Claims can be made here .
• You may close your Tap2Go account at any time by logging into your SWR account, navigating to your Tap2Go account and selecting “close account”. Alternatively you can contact our Customer Services team on 0345 6000 650. The Tap2Go product on your Touch Smartcard will be blocked to prevent further charges being applied, as well as finalising any outstanding tap data collected to apply a final charge and bring the account balance to zero. If, after account finalisation, you have credit in your account, this will be refunded to your payment card. Please be aware that the account closure process can take up to 11 days to allow for any outstanding taps to be collected and the final balance calculated.
• If we are unable to take final payment from your nominated payment card, we will contact you to update your payment details so that final payment can be made. Your Tap2Go account will not fully close until your balance is returned to zero.
• You may cancel your CPA directly with your bank instead of through your Tap2Go account. The Financial Conduct Authority’s guidance on cancelling CPAs is set out here . If you cancel the CPA in this way rather than through your Tap2Go account you may incur debt to us for journeys made using Tap2Go for which we cannot take payment. If you refuse to pay these when contacted, we may take legal action to recover any amounts due.
• Tap2Go account closure will not affect any other tickets stored on your Touch Smartcard.
• If we believe your Touch Smartcard or Tap2Go account is being used in a way that is not permitted under these Conditions.
• If we believe that the right to use any number or password used in relation to your Touch Smartcard account is or has been gained by a third party or in an unauthorised, illegal, improper or fraudulent way.
• If we no longer hold valid payment card details associated to your account and are unable to take payment.
• If you register for Tap2Go but do not make your first Journey within six months.
• If we believe that you have paid us or are trying to pay us using a stolen or otherwise barred or false debit or credit card or if the debit or credit card transaction is at some time charged back to us.
• If you tell us that your Touch Smartcard has been lost or stolen.
• If you tamper with your Touch Smartcard in any way which damages or affects the operation or security of the the Touch Smartcard or Tap2Go system or the railway network.
• If we are permanently unable to provide the Tap2Go service to you or we choose to withdraw it.
• If the emergency services or any regulatory authority tell us to cease to provide the Tap2Go service, or a law or regulation is passed which means we need to do so;
• If you cease to have a valid email address associated with your Account.
• We may contact you about your Tap2Go account for the following reasons: • Registration • Account Closure • Failure to load/collect the Tap2Go product when it has been ordered • Incomplete journey information (request to complete) • Autocomplete journey information (where we have completed a journey on your behalf) • Successful payment • Payment failure • Update/expiry of payment card • Changes to our Tap2Go service/service interruption • Changes to these terms and conditions • Delay Repay (including Auto Delay Repay)
• We will notify you of any planned outages of the Tap2Go service to ensure your journey is unaffected.
• If the Tap2Go network is unavailable for reasons out of our control, we will not be liable to pay compensation for a loss in service.
• You agree not to use Tap2Go for any purpose that is abusive, illegal, fraudulent, a nuisance or for criminal activities. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate the use of your Touch Smartcard if we have reasonable belief that it is being used for or in connection with any such activities.
• Tap2Go is for use only by the registered user of the relevant Touch Smartcard. The Touch Smartcard and/or Tap2Go may not be used for reward or hire.
• We may make changes to the Tap2Go services at any time and we can make changes to or introduce new terms to these terms and conditions at any time. If possible we will give reasonable notice of these changes. The changes will apply when we publish details of them in a way, which we consider is reasonable, for example by displaying messages on our website, your online account or contacting you directly at your registered email address.
• We will be legally responsible to you if our negligence causes death or personal injury. We will not be legally responsible to you for any, whether direct or indirect: • loss of income or profit; • loss of use of the Tap2Go service; • lost business or missed opportunities; or • any loss or damage that is not directly caused by us or which we did not reasonably expect at the time you entered into this agreement.
• Our maximum liability to you under these Conditions will be to refund the balance on your Touch Smartcard account on the date our dispute with you is settled.
• These terms and conditions of use are governed by English law and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

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Watch CBS News

Did you look at the solar eclipse too long? Doctors explain signs of eye damage

By Sara Moniuszko

Edited By Allison Elyse Gualtieri

Updated on: April 8, 2024 / 3:42 PM EDT / CBS News

Did you look up at the solar eclipse without your safety glasses ? Looking at the sun — even when it's partially covered like during the eclipse on April 8 — can cause eye damage.

There is no safe dose of solar ultraviolet rays or infrared radiation, said  Dr. Yehia Hashad , an ophthalmologist, retinal specialist and the chief medical officer at eye health company Bausch + Lomb.

"A very small dose could cause harm to some people," he said. "That's why we say the partial eclipse could also be damaging. And that's why we protect our eyes with the partial as well as with the full sun."

But how do you know if you've hurt your vision? We asked eye doctors what to know.

Is it a sign of eye damage if your eyes hurt after looking at the eclipse?

Your eyes likely won't hurt if you look at the eclipse without protection — but that doesn't make it any less dangerous.

In fact, the painlessness is part of why the event is so concerning to eye care professionals, said Dr. Jason P. Brinton, an ophthalmologist and medical director at Brinton Vision in St. Louis. 

"Everyone knows don't look at the sun. If you go out on a bright day and try to look at the sun — it's very uncomfortable, very bright. So most people intuitively associate that with something they should not be doing," Brinton said. "But with the eclipse, so much of that is blocked and so that natural sense of discomfort and aversion to the brightness is not there."

In some cases, the sun can also damage the cornea, which can be painful, Brinton says.

"The good news is that this fully heals without lasting issues, so this is why we don't think about this aspect as much. The retinal issues, on the other hand, are painless and can have permanent, lasting effects on vision," he said.

What are other signs of eye damage from looking at a solar eclipse?

Hashad says there are a few "alarming signals" to be aware of, including: 

• Blurred vision
• Scotomas, or dark spots: "You just see a black area or a black spot in the field of vision," Hashad said. 
• Color changes:  "You don't see the colors the same way you were seeing it before," he said.
• Distorted lines:  Hashad says this is clinically known as metamorphopsia, which makes lines appear warped, distorted or bent.

"This could be happening unilateral or bilateral," he said. "So it doesn't necessarily happen in both eyes. It could be affecting one over the other or both eyes together."

Issues may not be apparent immediately, either, sometimes appearing one to a few days following the event.

And while some will regain normal visual function, sometimes the damage is permanent. 

"Often there will be some recovery of the vision in the first few months after it, but sometimes there is no recovery and sometimes there's a degree to which it is permanent," Brinton said. 

What should you do if you show symptoms of eye damage?

If you're experiencing any symptoms of eye damage, Hashad suggested people "immediately" seek an ophthalmologist's advice.

"Seeing an eye care professional to solidify the diagnosis and for education I think is reasonable," Brinton said. 

Unfortunately, there isn't a treatment for solar retinopathy, the official name for the condition.

"Right now there is nothing that we do for this. Just wait and give it time and the body does tend to heal up a measure of it," Brinton explained.

That is why prevention is so important, and remains the "mainstay of treatment of solar retinopathy or solar damage to the retina," Hashad explained. 

How long is too long to look at a solar eclipse without glasses?

Any amount of time looking at the solar eclipse without glasses is too long, experts said.

"Damage from the solar eclipse could happen to the retina in seconds," Hashad said. "That's why we don't want people to stare even for a short period of time — even if for a few seconds to the direct sun — whether eclipsed or even partially eclipsed."

Sara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper's wellness vertical. She now covers breaking and trending news for CBS News' HealthWatch.

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No glasses? No problem. Three cool ways to safely view the eclipse.

‘pinhole projectors’ will do the trick. so will plants in your backyard..

The April 8 total solar eclipse is finally here — and it’s sure to amaze and delight the millions who see it.

Everyone in the Lower 48 states will be able to view at least a partial solar eclipse, assuming cloud-free skies .

To savor the eclipse, you don’t need special equipment. Even if you can’t get your hands on eclipse glasses , there are old school, low-tech ways to see it. If you’re crafty and canny, the eclipse can still be a memorable experience.

2024 total solar eclipse

Safety first

The first rule of enjoying the eclipse is to avoid looking directly at the sun without eye protection. Even brief glances can cause permanent damage.

The only exception to this rule is for lucky spectators in the path of totality during the few minutes of the total eclipse, when the sun is fully blocked by the moon.

For those witnessing the partial solar eclipse, even when most of the sun’s surface is blocked, the remaining, visible crescent is still intensely bright and cannot be safely viewed without eye protection.

But, if you don’t have eye protection, here are some safe ways to experience the partial eclipse through indirect means:

Make a pinhole projector

A way around looking directly the sun is to make your own eclipse projector using a cereal box. It’s a safe and terrific way to capture the eclipse action.

Clear the kitchen table and find the craft scissors. In addition to the cereal box, you’ll need a piece of aluminum foil, tape and a small nail or pushpin.

First, eat your Froot Loops — or whatever toasted grain you prefer — and keep the box. On a white piece of paper or white cardboard, trace the bottom of the box. Then, clip out the traced rectangle from the paper and put it in the bottom of the opened box. That’s your screen that images of the eclipse will project onto.

Cut out two squares (1.5 inches should suffice) on the lid of the box and then tape the lid back together. For one square, cover the hole in foil and tape it down. Gently put a pushpin or small nail hole through it, as that is the lens that the sun’s light will pass through. The smaller the hole, the sharper the projected image.

When using your personal box theater, turn away from the sun — and let the sun’s rays shine through the tiny pin hole. Look through the other hole in the lid to see the eclipse action — during the eclipse you’ll see the moon biting a chunk from the sun.

Other kinds of small boxes — such as shoe boxes or small package boxes — work well, too. And your kids can decorate them for fun.

Looking to the trees

If you’re not inclined to make a projector box, you can also view the partial phases of the eclipse in the shadows of trees and plants.

The small gaps in between leaves, branches and pine needles act as miniature projectors. When light passes through, a small image of the sun is cast onto the ground. As the partial eclipse progresses, you’ll see the small circles evolve into sickle-shaped crescents, eventually waning to a sliver.

You may consider holding a white piece of paper or poster board beneath a tree or plant to make it easier to spot the shadows.

Gadgets and fingers

Leaves aren’t special — they just happen to be good at producing tiny projections. But realistically, any hole that’s about a quarter inch wide, give or take, will do the trick. That means you could even parade around outside with your pasta colander, cheese grater or serving spoon with holes in it and look at its shadow. Place white paper or poster board on the ground to see the projection more clearly.

You could also just hold your fingers out and crisscross them to make for half a dozen or so small openings between. Just extend your fingers on both hands as if you’re trying to make a W , and then overlap them.

Simple, yet elegant.

A total solar eclipse passed across the United States on Monday, April 8. See photos and videos from the path of totality and read our reporters’ coverage from scenes across the nation .

Looking ahead: Missed this one? The next eclipse visible in the United States won’t be until 2044 — and then we’ll see another shortly after in 2045. If you did watch this eclipse but without proper eyewear, here’s what to do if your eyes hurt .

The science: This eclipse appeared especially dramatic because the sun was at its most active period in two decades. In the past, solar eclipses have helped scientists learn more about the universe . Here’s everything else to know about the solar eclipse.

• Your ultimate guide to the total solar eclipse, its path and how to watch April 8, 2024 Your ultimate guide to the total solar eclipse, its path and how to watch April 8, 2024
• Here’s what not to do to safely watch the total solar eclipse April 5, 2024 Here’s what not to do to safely watch the total solar eclipse April 5, 2024
• Eclipse tourists should plan for overloaded cell networks April 2, 2024 Eclipse tourists should plan for overloaded cell networks April 2, 2024