The best travel discounts for the over-60s

Whether you’re using your precious annual leave or making the most of your retirement, you’ll be entitled to a wealth of travel discounts once you’ve turned 60. 

That’s just as well, because the days of late deals and shopping around for big bargains are becoming increasingly rare. 

Catherine Warrilow, Travel and Tourism Brand Consultant at The Plot, agrees: “The combination of rising fuel prices, global conflicts, increasing operating costs and inflation all mean that you’re looking at an average of 15 per cent more for your holiday compared to 2019.” 

Last year, a Saga survey showed that the over-50s are looking forward to travel, with two thirds planning to take up to four holidays a year. However, that doesn’t mean travelling on a budget isn’t a key consideration. 

“Many people will be reaching retirement with a fixed income from a pension and trying to stretch their savings,” says Warrilow.  

“With considerations like the increased cost of living, cuts to the winter fuel payment and other financial burdens, being able to travel often means doing so on a tighter budget.” 

So, if you’re someone who likes to explore the UK – or further afield - these are some of the best ways we’ve found to travel for less. 

• How to finally save for that once-in-a-lifetime holiday 

Discounts on train travel 

If you’re 60 or older, the Senior Railcard gives you a third off train travel for £30 a year - and a three-year card is even cheaper at £70. There’s a handy tool to check how much you’ll save on your journey.  

If you’re a Tesco Clubcard holder, you can convert every £1.50 of vouchers into £3 to buy your Senior Railcard, so a one-year card costs just £15 in vouchers.  

Make-up artist Joyce Connor, 60, from Reading says: “My Senior Railcard is a godsend. It more than pays for itself. I’ve just booked a Caledonian Sleeper with a cabin for a trip, and I even got a third off that. 

“I make sure I book train tickets 12 weeks in advance as that’s when the cheapest tickets are released. And I also save money by travelling after rush hour and specifying which train I’ll take.” 

You can stack your Senior Railcard discount by choosing a split ticket – search each leg of your journey on National Rail and see if you could get it cheaper by buying the different legs separately (although the train must stop at the stations you’ve bought split tickets from).  

You can also use a service like Split My Fare or The Trainline to help spot split ticket opportunities. 

If you do a lot of travelling with your grandchildren, take a look at the Family & Friends Railcard. It’s the same price as a Senior Railcard but offers a third off two adult fares and 60% off for two kids (you just need to be travelling with at least one child to use this discount). 

There’s also the Two Together Railcard: split the £30 cost between you and a partner or friend and get a third off both fares when you travel together. 

Go cheaper by coach 

A Senior Coachcard costs £15 plus £3 P&P to access the discounts for a year and gives you a third off fares across the UK – including at peak times.  

It gets you a day return to anywhere in the UK (except airports) for £15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, if you book three days in advance.  

You can also get 15% off Fully Flexible fares if you want to travel to events such as festivals and football matches. 

Take the bus around town 

If you’re in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can get a free bus pass when you turn 60, but in England you’ll need to wait until you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66.  

In London, the Freedom Pass gives you free travel on buses, trams and trains and you can only get one when you turn 66 – you'll just need proof of address. 

But the good news for those over 60 but not old enough for the Freedom Pass: if you live in a London borough you can pay £20 for a 60+ Oyster photocard which gives you free travel on buses, trams, DLR, London Overground, most National Rail services in London and part of the Elizabeth Line.  

(You should always check individual lines, though, as some restrictions apply before 9am or 9.30am on weekdays.) 

• How to apply for a free bus pass – who’s entitled? 

Try Interrailing 

Travelling across Europe by train might bring back hazy memories of teenage summer holidays - but turning 60 bags you a big discount. 

Interrail offers a 10% discount if you’re 60 or over on the day you start your trip and prices are competitive too, with many flexible tickets available. For example, if you want to travel for a month and take unlimited train trips on five of those days, a senior fare is €286 (around £240), or €364 (around £300) if you want to treat yourself to first class. 

Get on your bike 

Londoners with a Freedom Pass or 60+ Oyster card can get a 50% discount on Santander Cycles subscriptions, taking them down from £20 a month to £10 or £120 a year to £60.  

The subscription gives you unlimited 60-minute rides, and you’ll need to fill out a form to prove your eligibility for the reduction. 

Bag a cheap(er) flight 

With the rising cost of aviation fuel and no discounts for over-60s, flying can be an expensive business. But there are still ways to save. 

Warrilow says that with travel continuing to rise in popularity, especially since Covid, things like dynamic pricing can make it harder to find a cheap deal – although there are some options. 

“Midweek flights can often be cheaper but watch out for add-ons such as hold luggage and meals,” she adds. 

Joyce shops around for tickets at the cheapest time of day with both flights and Eurostar. “I do what I call an ‘extreme day trip’,” she explains.  

“I leave early in the morning and get the last flight or train home. That way, I also save on a hotel, but still get to see the sights.” 

• 6 cost-saving flight ‘hacks’ examined – which will save you money? 

Take advantage of off-peak travel 

Last year’s Saga survey found that the over-50s like to take advantage of off-peak periods, getting away in September, May and June, as avoiding the school holidays keeps prices down.  

If you’re not sure when this might be, you can check the rough times when kids are likely to be off here. 

Warrilow says: “Travelling out of prime school holidays is always going to save you money. Like all dynamic pricing, you'll see prices fluctuate based on the destination and the month, a lot of that being dictated by the weather. 

“As an example, prices could be as much as 30 per cent cheaper in September compared to July for destinations in Europe, where the weather is still wonderful and the sea warm. 

“If you compare May to the Easter holidays, you're looking at a 20 per cent difference in prices if you avoid the bank holiday weekends.  

“Destinations like the Greek Islands and Portugal remain a little quieter and more relaxing in May and June.” 

How to save on accommodation 

Some hotel chains offer discounted rates for over-65s but you should check comparison sites to search different hotels in the same destination, so you get the deal you want. 

Andrew Middleton, 65, from Andover, runs I’m Not Done Yet, a community for business owners who aren’t ready for retirement, and is a regular traveller with his work.  

He says: “My top tip is to shop around and, with the advent of dynamic pricing, don’t be afraid to cancel and rebook if you find a better deal, particularly on hotel bookings. Use comparison sites and always check the small print. 

“If you’re staying in a hotel over the weekend Saturday nights are often the most expensive, so making your ‘weekend’ Sunday and Monday can have a dramatic effect on prices.” 

As a solo traveller, Joyce often pays a single supplement, so she searches for the best deals. 

“Black Friday [in November] can be good for discounts and some companies remove the single supplement, or the prices are so low it wipes it out,” she says. 

But be warned, you need to book early as no single supplement offers are in high demand. Saga Holidays No Single Supplements often sell out up to a year in advance at their most popular hotels.