If you’re taking your family on a summer holiday in the UK, one of the best ways to travel is by train.
With National Rail, you and your family can easily travel to thousands of destinations all over the country, including major cities, seaside towns and historical landmarks.
What’s more, travelling by train can be one of the cheapest options for getting around the UK, especially when you book train tickets in advance. You can take advantage of family deals, meaning that you can save a significant amount of money when you travel by train.
Save money with family train tickets
While you can simply buy train tickets for every member of your family, if you’re travelling together then you there are ways to save money.
Children under 5 can travel for free, but even for older children you can still save a lot of money by buying a Family & Friends Railcard.
A Family & Friends Railcard costs £30 and offers 1/3 off train fares for up to four adults, and 60% off for up to four children between the ages of 5 and 15 for travel around Great Britain for an entire year.
What are the benefits of a Family & Friends Railcard?
The are many benefits to buying a Family & Friends Railcard.
This discount applies to a number of ticket types, including Standard, Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets. If you book train tickets in advance, a Railcard could end up saving you a substantial amount of money.
Buying a Family & Friends Railcard means that up to four adults and four children can travel on the same card, even if they’re not related.
Additionally, a Railcard can be issued in the name of two adults, meaning that it can be used by both adults separately.
Is a Family & Friends Railcard worth it?
If you’re looking to save money when making multiple train journeys with your family over the summer, then getting a Family & Friends Railcard is a no-brainer.
After an initial cost of £30, you could end up saving up to £116 a year. If you’re planning on making multiple train journeys, your Family & Friends Railcard would effectively pay for itself after a few journeys.
There are multiple other ways you can save money on train tickets, such as by buying them in advance or travelling at certain times of the day, so with a bit of planning you’ll be able to take your family to countless holiday destinations in Great Britain without having to break the bank.
Book train tickets online with Nationalrail.com
For the best rail fare prices, book train tickets online with Nationalrail.com — it’s both straightforward and convenient. By planning your journey and purchasing tickets through the website, you can easily apply your railcard to receive your discounts.
When you book train tickets in advance, you not only save time but also often find exclusive deals and offers not available at the station. Nationalrail.com makes it simple to compare prices, check availability, and secure the best rates for your travel plans.


