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Is a railcard worth it? The calculator
Enter how many journeys you make a year and their usual price: the tool works out your real saving over a year, after paying for the card, and how many journeys it takes to break even.
A return trip = 2 journeys.
Capped fares apply in 2nd class, in France.
How to read the result
Most Railcards cost £35 a year (some £80 for three years) and take a third off most fares across Great Britain. The catch is in the restrictions: a £12 minimum fare on weekdays before 10:00 for the 16-25 and 26-30 cards, Two Together valid only after 09:30 on weekdays, and the Network Railcard limited to London and the South East after 10:00 with a £13 minimum fare.
The calculator assumes your journeys qualify. If many of yours are weekday peak-time trips, your real saving will be lower.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Railcard cost?
Most Railcards cost £35 a year; the 16-25, Senior and Family & Friends cards are also sold as 3-year cards for £80.
How many journeys to make a Railcard worth it?
With a third off, a £35 Railcard pays for itself once you have spent about £105 on full-price tickets. The calculator gives the exact figure for your journeys.
Can I use a 16-25 Railcard before 10am?
Yes, but on weekdays before 10:00 a £12 minimum fare applies, except on Advance tickets and in July and August.
What is the Two Together Railcard?
A card for two named adults travelling together, giving a third off after 09:30 on weekdays and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.
Is the SNCF Carte Avantage worth it for UK travellers?
For frequent trips on TGV INOUI or Intercités in France, often yes: €49 a year gives 30% off and capped 2nd-class fares of €49, €69 or €89 depending on journey length.
Official sources checked on 12 Oct 2026
16-25railcard.co.uk · bahn.de · bahn.de · bahn.de · railcard.co.uk · railcard.co.uk · railcard.co.uk · railcard.co.uk · railcard.co.uk · railcard.co.uk · sncf-connect.com · sncf-connect.com · sncf-connect.com · sncf-connect.com · sncf-connect.com · sncf-connect.com
Free, indicative tool, updated by the TrainsNews team on 12 Oct 2026. Only the operator's published terms are binding. TrainsNews is not affiliated with any operator. Report an error · Version française : https://trainsnews.com/fr/carte-avantage-sncf-rentable-calculateur
