Martin Lewis issues urgent four-day warning to save on UK rail travel

Looking to shave a few pennies off your UK rail travel? According to Martin Lewis, you’ve got just four days to unlock a nifty discount. The beloved Railcard is a widely used way to unlock savings on UK-wide train travel – and some of them, including the 16-25 and 26-30 versions, can even be connected to an Oyster card to whack 1/3 off off-peak travel on selected TfL services.

Now, the money-saving expert has reminded rail enthusiasts that there’s a limited period to nab a cheeky 25%-off deal – and pay £22.50 for a one-year Railcard or £52.50 for three years. At present, the price comes in at £30 per year (or £70 for three years). This is set to rise to £35 and £80 respectively on March 2, as explained in this week’s MoneySavingExpert.com newsletter.

If you’re new to either TrainPal or Trip.com (both of which are third-party booking sites), you can use an exclusive code to access 25% off a digital Railcard – before the new price hikes. ‘To get 25% off a digital Railcard via TrainPal, use the code MSE25 (if buying through its app you’ll also need to purchase a train ticket to activate the Railcard…if buying through its website you won’t need to do this),’ the MSE newsletter reads.

If you’re going via Trip.com, simply use the code MSETRIPRC25, though you’ll need to buy a train ticket to activate it, and this needs to be done before March 2. The same applies if you’re making your purchase through the TrainPal app, but notably, not through the TrainPal website, which will automatically activate it for you.

‘Neither site charges a booking fee, and there’s no minimum spend, so if you need to buy a ticket to activate your railcard, you could just buy the cheapest possible fare,’ MSE adds. ‘While the ticket needs to be bought before 2 March, it can be valid for travel after this date. If you don’t activate your railcard (this only applies to those purchased through the TrainPal app or via Trip.com’s site or app), you’ll be issued an automatic refund.’.

Critically, the code can only be used to buy a 16-17 Saver, 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, Family & Friends’ Railcard, Network Railcard, Senior Railcard and Two Together Railcard. It doesn’t include the Disabled Person’s Railcard or the Veterans’ Railcard.

You also won’t be able to transfer your purchase to the official Railcard app after purchasing. What’s more, the codes are valid until 11.59pm on December 31, 2025, but as the newsletter explains, should you choose to purchase after March 1, you’ll pay more after the price hikes on March 2.

Already a customer of TrainPal or Trip.com? Fear not: Martin’s got you sorted. Life admin apps to save the day? Brits rely on seven pocket pals for budget control. You can unlock 10% off a digital Railcard and 2% off a train ticket using the code MSE25 (TrainPal), MSETRIPRC10 (for 10% off a digital Railcard through Trip.com), or MSETRIP2 (for 2% off your first train ticket through Trip.com).

There’s one little-known hack that could save Railcard holders a considerable amount – and that’s by connecting it to an Oyster card. Those in the know will be aware that countless Gen Zs (and a handful of Millennials) can unlock 1/3 off during off-peak travel on TfL (and a reduced daily cap) if they have a Railcard – but never before have they been able to access it only using their bank card.

This month, the Mayor of London revealed plans to potentially connect the discount with contactless cards as well as Oysters. To qualify for the discount, all Railcard holders need to do is bring either their 16-25 Railcard or their 26-30 Railcard with them – just as they would when getting on a train out of London.

Then, they can ask any TfL staff member to connect it for them – which can be done in mere seconds at an Oyster top-up station. But it isn’t just young people who qualify for the discount: it also works on the Senior and HM Forces Railcards. At present, the daily cap for various zones stands at £8.50 (Zones 1-2), £10 (Zones 1-3), £12.30 (Zones 1-4) and £14.60 (Zones 1-5).

While the Railcard discount won’t save any money on the daily commute (as it doesn’t work during peak times), it’ll reduce the price of an off-peak journey worth £2.80 (between Zones 1 and 2) to just £1.87. Do you have a story to share?. Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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