Armed Forces discounts

Uniform or ID required. Free travel to London on Saturday too

If you're currently serving in the armed forces or a veteran, you can get FREE train travel to and from Remembrance services on Sunday 8 November. If you're attending a service in London, you can also travel for free on Saturday 7 November – but free return travel is only available on Sunday 8 November.

Those eligible can travel for free on the National Rail network, which has routes and stations across England, Scotland and Wales. Unfortunately this means free travel isn't available in Northern Ireland as it's not part of the network.

If you're planning to take advantage of the offer, National Rail says to check your journey before travelling as planned engineering works may affect some routes over the weekend. You can do this using the National Rail website or National Rail App.

Who's eligible to travel for free?

All serving UK military personnel and veterans attending a Remembrance service in Britain can claim free return travel on Sunday 8 November. Those attending a Remembrance service in London can travel for free to any London terminal station on Saturday 7 November or Sunday 8 November, and return for free on Sunday 8 November.

Serving personnel or veterans of non-UK armed forces aren't eligible for free travel.

How do you travel for free?

If you're currently serving in the UK armed forces, you can travel for free by travelling in uniform or showing a current MOD90 Ministry of Defence-issued identity card.

If you're a veteran of the UK armed forces, you can travel for free by showing a Ministry of Defence-issued veterans ID, Veterans' Oyster card, Veterans' Railcard or "other appropriate proof of veteran status" such as evidence you receive an armed forces pension.

Rail Delivery Group, the rail industry body, told us that to travel for free, those eligible should present their proof to staff in the train station they're travelling from or to staff on board the train they're travelling on.

What services can you travel on?

If you're eligible, you can travel for free at any time on Sunday 8 November (and Saturday 7 November if travelling to London). But you can only travel in standard class, not first class.

You can travel for free with almost all National Rail train companies – full list below in the 'More info' section. But Eurostar and Transport for London (TfL) services, including Elizabeth Line, London Overground and London Underground, aren't included in the offer.

For more deals for serving personnel and veterans, see Armed forces discounts. And for the latest train offers, go to UK travel deals.

Oyster photocard valid for TFL services & Emirates Air Line

Certain ex-armed forces personnel qualify for a free Veterans Oyster photocard which gets free and discounted travel in London.

Anyone who receives ongoing War Pensions Scheme payments or guaranteed income payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is eligible for the photocard. Call TFL and ask for an application form to apply.

What benefits does the Veterans Oyster photocard get me?

• Free travel at any time on London buses, London Underground, London Overground, DLR, tram and TFL Rail. 

• Free London travel on most National Rail services on weekends and from 9.30am on weekdays. There are some routes that can be travelled on for free before 9.30am – see Veterans Oyster photocard for included routes.

• Discounted Emirates Air Line fares. 

• Discounted River Services fares.

  
  

  
  

How do I apply?

Call TFL on 0343 222 1234 to request an application form. Fill it out and return it along with an Awards Notification or relevant letter as well as a passport-sized photo.

Once the card arrives, you'll be able to use it straight away. Touch in and out on the yellow Oyster card readers when you start and end your journey.

Show Defence Discount Service code. Valid Mon-Fri & Sun

At most Yo! Sushi restaurants, customers who show a valid Defence Discount Service code from Monday-Friday or Sunday will get 20% off food.

To get the code, you need to hold a Defence Discount Service card, and generate the code from its website or via the app – you can't just show the card.

It's only valid on bills up to the value of £100. It excludes drinks and takeaways, and it can't be used with any other offers.

It's valid at all Yo! Sushi restaurants except Heathrow T2 and T3.

What's the Defence Discount Service?

To get a card, you have to pay £4.99 but it's valid for five years - so worth it if you think you'll save more than £5 in this time.

You don't have to be actively serving to get it, for example, veterans, partners of service personnel and cadets over the age of 16 can apply. Check the Defence Discount Service website to see if you qualify.