Buying/using Railcard (UK) from USA
I'll be in the UK in a few weeks, and will do some train travelling with my wife and two (under 5) children. The kids are free on trains, yay, so we're planning to get a Two Together railcard (As we'll be together the whole time).
As far as I can tell, I can't buy one while I'm in the US - I'll have to buy one in the UK. So:
- Can I go ahead and buy (ahead of time) train tickets that assume the railcard exists?
- Is there a particular place I need to go to buy it once I'm in the UK? We'll be landing at Heathrow around noon, staying overnight, then leaving on a train for Edinburgh the next day.
Best Answer
Now six years later, there's also the option of digital railcards (smartphone), whit the railcard FAQ updated accordingly:
Can visitors to Britain buy a Railcard online?
Yes, you can.
If your delivery address is outside Britain, please select the digital Railcard option.
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.
Which would surely be more relaxing than having one more thing to do at arrival.
Seat61 (same link may answer many of your other ticketing questions) has the following tip if it might come in handy:
Tip 1: If system refuses to accept your non-UK postcode the first time you enter your address, no problem, just use this UK one: EC1A 4HD, it makes no difference. At the payment stage you can select your correct nationality then enter the correct postcode for your billing address.
EC1A 4HD is a non-residential postcode in London.
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Can a US citizen buy a UK Railcard?
Yes, you can.Can non UK residents buy Railcard?
If you live outside of the UK, you are not eligible to buy railcards online. However, you can do so via a registered travel agent or at a UK train station. This means if you're coming to the UK to study in the summer, for example, you would be able to buy a railcard.Can I buy a Railcard with a foreign passport?
If you're between 16 and 25 years old, you're eligible. In this case, you can buy your Railcard online using a valid debit or credit card, a valid UK driving licence or international passport, and a digital passport-style photo for uploading.Can you use a Railcard outside of London?
With your Railcard you can get 1/3 off Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your journey to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to a minimum fare which is currently \xa319.60).7 Handy Tips for Using Trains in the UK From A Local
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