Trip.com deals & discount codes

Via code. Requires you to purchase any train ticket to activate the railcard

A railcard can put you on the right track for some decent savings, especially if you take the train often, as these cards get you one-third off most rail fares.

Railcards currently cost £35 for one-year or £80 for three years, but if you're new to either TrainPal* or Trip.com* third-party booking sites, you can use a code to get 25% off a digital railcard (one that's stored on your phone). That'll make it £26.25 for a one-year railcard, or £60 for three years. If you aren't new to either site, you can still get 10% off.

There are a couple of hoops to go through, as you may also need to buy any train ticket (no minimum spend) to activate the railcard, but we explain how it works below.

Note: The railcard can only be accessed via the TrainPal or Trip.com app which you'll need to download (depending on which site you purchase from). You can't transfer it to the official Railcard app after purchasing, nor can you add to your digital wallet (Apple or Android).

To get 25% off a digital railcard...

• Via TrainPal*, use the code MSE25 (if buying through its app or website you'll also need to purchase a train ticket to activate the railcard as explained below)

• Via Trip.com*, use the code MSETRIPRC25 (you'll also need to buy any train ticket to activate the railcard as explained below)

Remember, you need to be a new customer of the site you purchase through.

How the 25% off code works

• Sign up for a free account at TrainPal* or Trip.com*. If you're given the option to enter the code while signing up, you can – pick the correct code above and enter it in the 'Promo code (optional)' box.

• Once signed in, select the Account/Member icon and then 'Promo Codes'. Or in the app, go to the 'Account' tab and tap 'Vouchers & Promo Code'.

• If you entered the code while signing up, your 25% off voucher will appear here. If you didn't, enter it in the 'Enter promo code' box ('Enter code' in the app) to add it to this section.

• Go to the TrainPal* or Trip.com* digital railcards page and choose the railcard you want. The discount should be automatically applied.

• Neither site charges a booking fee, and there's no minimum spend, so when buying a ticket to activate your railcard, you could just buy the cheapest possible fare. If you don't activate your railcard, you'll be issued an automatic refund.

The code can only be used to buy one of the following digital railcards: 16-17 Saver, 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, Family & Friends' Railcard, Network Railcard, Senior Railcard and Two Together Railcard. The offer excludes the Disabled Person's Railcard and Veterans' Railcard. The offer's limited to one railcard per account.

The codes are valid until 11.59pm on Wednesday 31 December.

Maximise the discount by getting 5% off your first train ticket purchase

In addition to the railcard offer above, you can also get 5% off your first UK train ticket purchase – so you could use this discount when buying the train ticket needed to activate your railcard when bought via the TrainPal app or Trip.com site and app.

• For TrainPal, you can use the same code as above, MSE25

• For Trip.com, the 5% off code is MSETRIP5 and this can be stacked with the railcard code above

You don't have to purchase a railcard to use the 5% off code – it's open to anyone new to TrainPal/Trip.com making their first UK train ticket purchase until 11.59pm on Wednesday 31 December.

Existing TrainPal or Trip.com user? Get 10% off a digital railcard and 2% off your first train ticket

The below codes get a one-year railcard for £26.25 instead of £35, or £60 for three years instead of £80.

• For TrainPal*, enter the code MSE25

• For Trip.com*, enter the code MSETRIPRC10 for 10% off a digital railcard, and the code MSETRIP2 for 2% off your first train ticket purchase

See our Cheap train tickets guide for more ways to save on rail fares.