Concessionary fares and Railcards are available for blind and partially sighted people. These often deliver significant discounts off the standard ticket price.
Buying your ticket in advance
Once you have decided on the time you wish to travel, it's a lot easier if you buy your ticket in advance and reserve yourself a seat. If you are a guide dog owner, try and reserve a seat that has plenty of room for the dog.
The easiest thing to do is to buy your tickets and reserve your seat over the phone. This way, the tickets will be sent out to you by post, and you won't need to worry on the day you travel.
Cheaper train fares
Even without a Railcard, you can still get up to 50 per cent off the price of a ticket. To claim your discount, you must:
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be registered as blind or partially sighted
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be travelling with a companion (they also get the discount)
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and bring proof of your sight loss with you when you buy the tickets.
The best proof is your Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) or any registration card that your local authority gave to you. (The equivalent of the CVI in Scotland is the BP1.)
How much of a discount you and your companion get depends on the type of ticket you buy:
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34 per cent off of anytime single or return
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34 per cent off of anytime day single
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50 per cent off of anytime day return
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two people travel for the price of one on season tickets - you buy a season ticket at the full price but it enables any companion with you to travel for free.
These discounts apply to first class travel as well.
This discount is only available if you are travelling with a companion. If you are travelling on your own read about the Disabled Persons' Railcard.
You can find out more about discounts on train travel by visiting your local station or the National Rail website.
For more advice on cheaper rail travel, call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Disabled Person's Railcard
As a blind or partially sighted person, you are entitled to a Disabled Persons' Railcard.
This entitles you to one-third off advance, off peak and anytime train fares. You don't have to travel with a companion but if you do, they'll get the same discount as well.
To get a Railcard, you need to fill out a form available from your local railway station or from the Disabled Person's Railcard website.
The card costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years.
16-25 Railcard
If you are aged between 16 and 25 years old, you are eligible to buy a 16-25 Railcard. However, mature students who are over 26 and in full-time education can also apply.
The 16-25 Railcard saves you one third off rail fares across Britain for a year. It costs £28 for a one year Railcard or £65 for a three year Railcard.
Find out more from the 16-25 Railcard website.
Senior Railcard
The Senior Railcard, which is available to anyone over the age of 60, also offers significant discounts on rail travel. You can save one third off all standard and first class tickets, including advance fares. The card costs £28 for one year and £65 for three years.
Find out more from the Senior Railcard website.
Other Railcards
There are other types of Railcard available that you may be eligible for. Find out more from the Railcard website.
Northern Ireland
You may be entitled to concessionary train travel across Northern Ireland with a Smartpass. If you are registered blind and/or are over 65, you are entitled to free travel. If you are partially sighted and/or receive disability benefits, you're entitled to half fare travel. Find out more about the Smartpass on the NI Direct website.