Chris1963
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I've just turned 60 and was wondering if I can get reduced price travel in France simply by showing my UK passport?
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Discounts for over 60's
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dutchflyer
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Maybe-depends on what and where. And expect this age to be raised soon.
You could get 25% off on full fare and only during off-peak hours-which means that for longer distance advance fares will work out much cheaper. And yes, for that any official proof of age is enough.
The regions now set the rules for the regional fares and this means it varies.
Quite some time ago there was in the magazine Todays Railways an overview of various senior discounts. Most of this is still to be found in the site europetrainsguide, but it has not been updated since.
Best to look out for is Slovakia, free from 62/63 (probably also to be raised soon). Hungary is even better, but thats only for real EU-citizens.
You could get 25% off on full fare and only during off-peak hours-which means that for longer distance advance fares will work out much cheaper. And yes, for that any official proof of age is enough.
The regions now set the rules for the regional fares and this means it varies.
Quite some time ago there was in the magazine Todays Railways an overview of various senior discounts. Most of this is still to be found in the site europetrainsguide, but it has not been updated since.
Best to look out for is Slovakia, free from 62/63 (probably also to be raised soon). Hungary is even better, but thats only for real EU-citizens.
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Some discounted fares (-25%) are available on demand by just filling in the age category on the SNCF Connect web site or app when you buy tickets.
You have to carry ID (ie passport) to prove age, but I've just got back from a trip round France using senior discounted tickets and never got asked for ID once.
All the conductors want to see is the QR code on your ticket/device.
Most long distance fares can be discounted this way, the ticket type is called PREMS - note there are refund restrictions.
Regional/local trains (TER) have their own senior schemes but are mainly aimed at residents and season tickets, but some do -25% on demand.
I don't think Parisian fares (RATP) can be discounted for visiting seniors, same for other metro systems in France.
There is a wider SNCF scheme based on a senior railcard, but it costs €49 a year which is not much use for a short trip.
All countries have different policies for senior travellers, not to mention different starting ages.
You get 50% discount in Norway, Finland and Portugal on demand.
Belgium has cheap off-peak day return fares for seniors on demand.
Most other countries have a senior railcard-type scheme, but at varying annual cost.
Like France, the annual fee is rather expensive in eg Italy, Germany, Austria, Poland.
Spain has a Tarjeta Dorada (senior railcard) for only €6 which gives you 40% discount on most services - but you can only get one at Renfe stations.
Most discount schemes don't apply to the lowest tier of fares (like our Advances).
LNW-GW Joint -
Thank you for your information. To clarify your mentions of Norway, Finland, Portugal and Belgium, by “on demand” do you mean that a 60+ ticket has to be purchased at a ticket office, or would it be available at a ticket machine? And French ticket machines?
Thank you for your information. To clarify your mentions of Norway, Finland, Portugal and Belgium, by “on demand” do you mean that a 60+ ticket has to be purchased at a ticket office, or would it be available at a ticket machine? And French ticket machines?
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
No, I just mean walk-up and buy at any outlet, including ticket machines and online.
Having said that, many French ticket machines have a different MMI to ours, some involving rotating a pointer, and can be baffling to decode.
Most people seem to use the SNCF Connect app or other regional/local transport apps.
Vienna is also half price from 62, as is Czechia (and in Prague it's free once you turn 70).
johnnychips
Established Member
Is there anything in Spain for over 60s?
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Tarjeta Dorada, costs €6 for a year's pass, get it at Renfe stations.
40% discount on most services (25% on peak hour AVE services).
But you need the serial number of the Tarjeta Dorada to book tickets online, so you have to have the card first.
It doesn't work for the cheapest level of tickets (equivalent to our Advances).
You can't buy one online (although you can renew one).
Over-60s
www.renfe.com
johnnychips
Established Member
Thank you, I will look into it!Tarjeta Dorada, costs €6 for a year's pass, get it at Renfe stations.
40% discount on most services (25% on peak hour AVE services).
But you need the serial number of the Tarjeta Dorada to book tickets online, so you have to have the card first.
It doesn't work for the cheapest level of tickets (equivalent to our Advances).
You can't buy one online (although you can renew one).
Over-60s
Booking in advance you may get an over-65 Super Sparpreis Senioren (without a Bahncard) on German IC trains. I paid 49 euros (under-64 fare was about 90) for a booking 19 days before travel. You have to book online or via the app. There was no discount on another journey booked the day before but that was only 9.90 anyway.
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