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Senior railcard query

Skipness

Member
Joined
18 Dec 2015
Messages
184
Location
North Yorkshire
Just asking, do you need to be a U.K. resident to apply for a railcard? Cant find any mention in the "terms and conditions"
 
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Watershed

Veteran Member
Associate Staff
Senior Fares Advisor
Joined
26 Sep 2020
Messages
12,337
Location
UK
Just asking, do you need to be a U.K. resident to apply for a railcard? Cant find any mention in the "terms and conditions"
Not in general, no. The only Railcards that have any kind of residency requirement are some of the regional ones, such as the Highland Railcard or the Devon & Cornwall Railcard (for which you need proof of residence in one of the applicable postcodes). Other regional Railcards ones such as the Network Railcard are available for anyone to buy.

Overseas residents should usually be able to buy the relevant Railcard online or through an app so long as they have proof that can be checked digitally, e.g. a biometric passport for the age-based ones. Otherwise they may need to call or buy a Railcard from a ticket office.
 

Porty

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
89
Location
Edinburgh
Just asking, do you need to be a U.K. resident to apply for a railcard? Cant find any mention in the "terms and conditions"
Unless things have changed recently you can purchase at a staffed ticket office and immediately get a paper/plastic version. For example you can buy an advance ticket with a senior discount online some weeks ahead and just buy the Railcard immediately before the train departs if you wish. This may be helpful for an overseas resident who would prefer a physical Railcard.
 

contrex

Member
Joined
19 May 2009
Messages
890
Location
St Werburghs, Bristol
You can buy a French Carte Avantage Senior from the UK.

Can visitors to Britain buy a Railcard online?
A:
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.

 

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