Take the train for less with rail discounts

Are you ready for a much-needed break from uni? We know how expensive travel can be, whether you're heading home for the holidays or taking a day trip to a nearby city.

Luckily for you, you can take advantage of student discounts on trains! That's right. Your student discount isn't limited to clothes and material things, but travel, too.

The reality is you won't be a student forever (sadly), so make the most of these discounts while you can!

Save ⅓ on tickets with a Railcard

What's the deal with Railcards? When you buy a Railcard, you can save one-third on train ticket prices.

Depending on your age, you can opt for the 16 to 25 Railcard or the 26 to 30 Railcard. Discounts for students on train tickets also apply to mature students in full-time education. Regardless of age, they are eligible for the 16 to 25 Railcard. You can also get Family & Friends Railcards, Two Together Railcards, and more. They last for either one year or three years before you need to renew them again.

With these Railcards, you spend £30 on a one-year subscription and get ⅓ off train tickets. If you travel fairly often, think of the savings you'll make!

Pssst! We did the maths so you don't have to. You can buy a three-year Railcard for £70, which is £20 less than the price of three one-year Railcards. Your future self will be glad you bought the three-year option, and who doesn't want to save a few quid? We say go for it!

Don't miss out on extra train discounts

Are you looking for more student card rail discounts? We've got it. LNER is offering students 40% off train tickets if they have a 16 to 25 Railcard via UNiDAYS.

We can't imagine a better deal than nearly half-price off train tickets to your favourite destinations.

Head home for the holidays

There's nothing worse than the end-of-year rush when thousands of students scramble to buy tickets to head home for the holidays. Plan ahead and have your Railcard ready to save on train fares.

Whether you're popping home or taking an extended break, you can book a return ticket or an open return—the choice is yours.

Are you flexible on the dates and times you can travel? Look for off-peak or super off-peak train times for the lowest train fares and the biggest savings.

Want to nab a proper bargain? Tickets are, on average, £13 cheaper with Trainline's SplitSave tool. You'll get on the train as normal and take the same route but receive split tickets instead. If you can't resist a deal and want to make your student loan last longer, it's a no-brainer!

Visit friends in different cities

One of the highlights of moving away to study in a new place is all the new people you get to meet. But that doesn't mean you have to forget about your old pals!

Schedule a well-overdue catch-up with old schoolmates and anyone else you miss. Choose a weekend that works for you and book a return train ticket (using your Railcard, of course!)

If you're dealing with a super-long-distance friendship, why not meet at a place halfway? Trekking up to Newcastle from Plymouth is a trek, so pick a place somewhere in the middle, like Birmingham, for example.

Next time you find yourself bored on a weekend, and the weather is looking good, here's an idea of what you can do. Hop on a train to that nearby city or cute coastal town you've been meaning to visit since you started uni! Grab a friend or two , throw together a little picnic, and enjoy a fun adventure day that doesn't break the bank.

Save your coin and travel smart

Train travel is a way of getting from A to B, so save as much as you can using Railcards and student offers so you can spend your money on the things that matter! We're thinking of a new outfit for your trip or some drinks when you arrive at your destination!

For more student money-saving tips, we've got a bunch of great ideas you (and your bank account) will love. Being a student with limited cash has never been easy, but these tried and tested tips should help you get a better hold on your daily spending and budgeting!

Stay up to date with the latest student discounts from UNiDAYS. Who knows what you'll be able to save on next?

Image source

Image source

Image source

Image source