The Disabled Railcard is a national scheme designed to make train travel more accessible and affordable for people with disabilities. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about the Disabled Railcard, including who qualifies, the disabled railcard application, and the key benefits it provides.

This is another valuable way to save money when travelling, helping disabled passengers enjoy greater freedom when getting out and about.

What is the Disabled Persons Railcard?
Who qualifies for a Disabled Railcard?
Types of Disabled Persons Railcard
How much is a Railcard for Individuals on PIP?
Is it Worth Purchasing a Disabled Railcard?
How to Apply for the Disabled Persons Railcard
What Documents are Required to Apply for a Disabled Railcard?
When Will I Receive My Disabled Persons Railcard?
Benefits of the Disabled Persons Railcard
Tips for Making the Most of Your Railcard
Reduced Coach fares with Disabled Coachcard
Subsidised Taxi Fares
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Disabled Persons Railcard?

The Disabled Persons Railcard is a discount card that allows individuals with disabilities to save money on train travel in the UK. It provides a 33% discount on most train fares for the cardholder and one accompanying adult.

Who is Eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard?

You can apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard if you have a disability or long-term health condition that makes travelling by train more difficult. The railcard is designed to make public transport more accessible, while also helping to reduce the cost of regular travel for disabled passengers and their companions.

The following groups of people are typically eligible to complete the disabled railcard application:

Those receiving disability-related benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
People registered as deaf or using a hearing aid.
People who are blind or partially sighted.
Those with epilepsy who either use medication to control seizures or experience more than one seizure per month.
Individuals with a learning disability.
Anyone with a mobility issue who cannot drive due to their condition.

Meeting any of these criteria allows you to apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard and start saving on rail travel across the UK.

What Documents are Required to Apply for a Disabled Railcard?

To apply for the disabled railcard you will need to have one of the following documents to meet the eligibility requirements.

you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment (CDP) at either:
- the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
- the higher or middle rate for the care component
you have a visual impairment
you have a hearing impairment
you have epilepsy
you receive Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)
you receive War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
you receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
you are on the Motability scheme

Types of Disabled Persons Railcard

You can choose to have either a digital railcard or a plastic card version to keep in your wallet or handbag.

If you choose the digital Railcard option you can download the Railcard app and add your digital card via the download code you will be provided with. Please note that the app is not compatible with Windows phones.

How Much is a Railcard for Individuals on PIP?

The Disabled Persons Railcard costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years, and gives you one-third off most rail fares in Great Britain.

Plus, an adult companion (carer or friend) travelling with you will also get one-third off their ticket.

On average, railcard holders save around £126 per year in ticket costs.

Is it Worth Purchasing a Disabled Railcard?

Yes, in most cases it is:

If you travel by train even just a few times a year, the savings from the Disabled Persons Railcard usually cover the cost of the card itself quite quickly.
Because you and a companion both save one-third on fares, each trip saves you more.
Over time, especially with the 3-year option, you reduce the annual cost and maximise savings.

However, there are scenarios where it might be less beneficial:

If you rarely travel by train. If your travel is very occasional, you might not recoup the cost.
If most of your travel is by types of fare or routes that are already heavily discounted or excluded.

Disabled Persons Railcard Savings Calculator

Journey Price (Return Ticket)	Saving for Cardholder (1/3 off)	Saving for Companion (1/3 off)	Total Saving per Trip	Trips Needed to Cover £20 Card	Trips Needed to Cover £54 Card
£30	£10	£10	£20	1 trip	3 trips
£60	£20	£20	£40	1 trip	2 trips
£90	£30	£30	£60	Less than 1 trip	1 trip
£120	£40	£40	£80	Less than 1 trip	1 trip

How to Apply for the Disabled Railcard

You can apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard either online or by post. Please note that you cannot apply at a railway station. Below is how to apply via either route.

How to Apply Online

Visit the Disabled Persons Railcard official website
Complete the application form and upload:
- a digital passport-sized photo
- scanned proof of eligibility (e.g. your disability award letter listed in the previous section)
Choose the type of Railcard you would like: digital or plastic card
Pay the fee – it costs £20 for 1 year or £54 for 3 years

How to Apply by Post

If you prefer to apply for your Disabled Persons Railcard by post, you will need to download the Disabled Persons Railcard application form, complete it and return with your proof of eligibility and payment to the address below. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to ‘ATOC Ltd Railcard’

National Railcards
PO Box 8626
SWADLINCOTE
DE11 1JA

Please note that processing takes longer than for online applications, so allow extra time to receive your card.

Need extra support? You can email the team at [email protected] or call their helpline on 0345 605 0525.

Disabled persons railcard a woman with a hat stands on a train station in between two trains saving money for disabled people

When Will I Receive My Disabled Persons Railcard?

If you have applied online: once your online payment has been successfully processed you will receive an email confirmation and acknowledgement of your application (please note that this confirmation email cannot be used to buy discounted tickets). It will then take around 5 working days for your Railcard application to be reviewed and approved.

If you have purchased a plastic Railcard: please allow 10 days for delivery in addition to the 5 working days for your Railcard application review. You can choose to pay for Special Delivery, but you will have to place your order before 15:45pm to guarantee that it is delivered within 2 days (Monday to Thursday) or 3 days (Friday to Sunday).

If you have purchased a digital card: it will be available to use straight away. You will be sent a download code to your email address, along with instructions on how to download your card.  Please also allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be reviewed and approved.

If you have applied via the post: this process takes longer so you will need to allow around 15 days to receive your Disabled Persons Railcard.

How to Renew a Disabled Persons Railcard

It’s really easy to renew your card. You can do this through your Account section or go to the website and click on the ‘Renew’ button.

You can also renew over the telephone: 0345 605 0525 (7am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday) – make sure you have your card details and a payment card ready.

For customers with hearing impairments, you can renew by Textphone or minicom on 0345 601 0132.

Or via the post by downloading the application form as detailed in the ‘how to apply’ section of this article.

Benefits of the Disabled Persons Railcard

You can use your railcard as many times as you like. Just make sure to have it with you when you travel.

Significant Savings

Get 1/3 off most train fares for you and one adult companion. This applies to both standard and first-class tickets.
Save on average £113 per year**, or £4.4 per journey.

Discount on Advance Tickets

Save money on Advance tickets, which are already cheaper than on-the-day purchases.

Accessible Travel for Companions

Your companion can also benefit from the 1/3 discount, making group travel more affordable.

Discounts on Other Railcard-Linked Offers

Enjoy discounts on days out, dining, and entertainment through partner offers available to Railcard holders.

Stress-Free Digital Options

A digital Disabled Persons Railcard is available for your smartphone, making it easy to carry and present during travel and less likely to get lost.

Travel Any Time

The Disabled Persons Railcard discount is valid at any time of the day and has no time restrictions

Tips for Making the Most of Your Railcard

Plan Ahead: Book tickets in advance to maximize your savings.
Travel Off-Peak: Discounts apply to off-peak and super off-peak fares, so avoid peak travel times for the best value.
Renew Early: Avoid disruptions by renewing your Railcard before it expires.

For more information or to apply, visit the Disabled Persons Railcard website today.

Reduced Coach Travel Costs

National Express have a Disabled Coachcard that gives you 1/3 off the price of coach tickets. The Disabled Coachcard is £15, Plus £3 postage and packaging. When you book a ticket make sure you check the Coachcard box and don’t forget to carry your Coachcard with you whenever you travel, along with your ticket.

Save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares, even at peak times.
Enjoy £15 mid-week day returns on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

To apply, head to the National Express website here.

Subsidised Taxi Fares

Your local authority might offer a scheme to help with taxi costs if you have a disability. The type of support you can get depends on where you live. Different councils or authorities may offer different benefits, so it’s important to check with them.

To find out whether your council offers a taxi scheme and whether you would be eligible for it, contact your local authority.

In London, this is called the TaxiCard and is a subsidised service providing Black Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles to those who might find it difficult or impossible to access other modes of transport. Taxi card applications vary by borough but you can go to the London Councils website for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Disabled Persons Railcard free?

No, it will cost you £20 for a single year or £54 for a three year card. Prices correct December 2024.

What is the discount off a ticket with a Disabled Persons Railcard?

With a Disabled Persons Railcard you will get 1/3rd off the price of a ticket as will one other person travelling with you as your carer.

How much can I save with a Disabled Persons Railcard?

You will make back the initial cost of a single year ticket if you make 1 or 2 trips, if you want to increase your savings further then take out the three year offer and knock a further £6 off your average saving.

Can I use my Disabled Persons Railcard at anytime?

Your Disabled Persons Railcard can be used at any time of day to buy discounted train tickets. Did you know you can also link your Disabled Persons Railcard with an Oyster Card to get 1/3 off travel around London. Disabled Persons Railcards are not valid to use on Season tickets.

Can my carer come with me for free when I use my Disabled Persons Railcard?

As long as you have a Disabled Persons Railcard then one other person travelling with you can also get 1/3rd off their rail ticket. They do not need to provide evidence that they are your carer.

Can I use my Disabled Persons Railcard in Northern Ireland?

No, the Disabled Persons Railcard can be used in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), it cannot be used for rail travel in either in Northern Ireland nor the Republic of Ireland.

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