Devon and Cornwall railcard - the railcard they don't tell you about
14 November 2025
When the Transport for Cornwall “brand” was launched by Cornwall Council a few years ago, one of its aspirations was to integrate public transport options including buses and trains.
There are ticketing products such as Plus Bus whereby a rail traveller can add on bus journeys from their destination stations at lower cost than purchasing a separate bus ticket; and there are Ride Cornwall tickets that allow unlimited travel for one day on trains and buses in Cornwall (including trains to/from Plymouth).
In addition, for travellers using rail only, there are options for discounted fares by purchasing a railcard. Most of these are restricted to certain categories of traveller, such as young people, senior citizens, disabled passengers, veterans, family and friends, or two together. With all of these, the passenger(s) can purchase an annual railcard that generally entitles them to one-third off normal fares. These are listed on the Transport for Cornwall website at railcards.
Strangely, the one railcard not listed on the site which would probably be of most interest to residents of Cornwall is the Devon and Cornwall railcard. This card entitles the passenger to one third off fares on all train journeys after 8.45 a.m. in the whole of Devon and Cornwall and is available to anyone over 16 years old who is a resident of Devon or Cornwall. Moreover, it is considerably cheaper than the other national railcards at ony £13 per annum. This compares with, for example, a seniors railcard cost of £35 per annum. This railcard is sold by GWR and details are on their website. For anyone who uses the trains just a few times a year, it is well worth considering purchasing the card. It can also be used in conjunction with the GWR pay as you go card.
I wrote to Cornwall Council transportation department and to Plymouth Citybus who manage the Transport for Cornwall website pointing out the lack of reference to this railcard on the website, but I have had not had a reply.
