Student Rail Card | Cheap Student Train Travel

Q: Can I use a Railcard with my Unizone ticket?

You will need a valid 16-17 Saver or 16-25 Railcard as ID to buy a Unizone ticket, but Railcards cannot be combined with Unizone tickets for a discount. Railcards can save you money on other journeys outside the Unizone area.

Q: Can I use Unizone tickets on buses or other transport?

Unizone tickets are only valid for train travel between selected stations and cannot be used on buses or other forms of transport.

Ticket overview

Unizone is a special discount ticket for students, providing unlimited train travel between selected stations at a reduced rate. Available to students with a valid NUS or TOTUM card, Unizone is perfect for those regularly commuting to university or college.

Benefits

Unlimited travel: Travel as much as you need between your chosen stations during the validity of the ticket.
Student savings: Enjoy up to 70% off, helping to keep travel costs low.
Flexible durations: Purchase a weekly, monthly, or termly ticket depending on your academic schedule.

When can I use this ticket type?

Unizone tickets are valid for travel at any time between your chosen stations during the ticket’s validity period. They are ideal for students commuting to campus or exploring the local area.

Things to remember

Student-only: You must be a student with a valid NUS or TOTUM card to purchase and use this ticket. Please see our eligibility section on this page for full details.
Specific purchase locations only: Unizone tickets are not available online, at ticket machines, or on the train. You can purchase weekly, monthly, quarterly Unizone tickets at any staffed ticket office within the Unizone area. To match your term dates, you can also add extra days or weeks to a term-length ticket.
Unizone is not available as an annual ticket: You can purchase weekly, monthly, quartlery (or term-length) Unizone tickets, only.
Route-specific: Tickets are only valid between selected stations within the Unizone area.
Additional restrictions: Unizone may have additional restrictions when travelling with children or using the Kids for £2 offer. In such cases, Unizone cannot be used until after the morning peak restriction on Off-Peak tickets has ended.

How can I save further, and what discounts are available?

Check other ticket options: Compare Unizone with student discounts on Season tickets to ensure you’re getting the best value for your travel needs.

How to buy a Unizone ticket

You can buy Unizone tickets at any staffed ticket office at a station in the Unizone area. They are not available to buy online, at ticket machines or on the train. You will need your NUS or TOTUM card when buying your ticket, as well as a valid 16 – 17 Saver and 16 – 25 Railcard.

Weekly: £22 (Brighton) / £25 (Worthing)
Monthly: £84.50 (Brighton) / £96 (Worthing)
Quarterly: £253.50 (Brighton) / £288 (Worthing)

^{Fares are valid from 2 Mar 2025 until further notice.}

View Unizone area maps

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for a Unizone ticket?

To qualify for a Unizone ticket you’ll need a valid 16-17 Saver or 16-25 railcard (please note we cannot accept the 26-30 railcard), and either:

A valid physical student ID card (not digital or PRO versions) :

University of Sussex
University of Chichester
Plumpton College
BHASVIC
Varndean College, Hove Park Sixth Form, Dv8 Sussex, Newman College: You must have a new-style ID card with a photo and expiry date. If you don’t, a valid TOTUM physical card is required.
Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA College): Requires an ID card with a photo and expiry date. If missing, you’ll need a valid TOTUM physical card.

Or:

A physical NUS Extra or TOTUM card (excluding digital or PRO versions), valid and not expired.

We can't accept your ID card, NUS Extra card or TOTUM card if it has expired or doesn't have an expiry date.

What stations are in the Unizone area?

View Unizone area maps

Brighton	Worthing
Aldrington Berwick Bishopstone Brighton Cooksbridge East Worthing Eastbourne Falmer Fishersgate Glynde Hampden Park Hove Lancing Lewes London Road (Brighton) Moulsecoomb Newhaven Harbour Newhaven Town Plumpton Polegate Portslade Preston Park Seaford Shoreham-by-Sea Southease Southwick	Amberley Angmering Arundel Barnham Billingshurst Bognor Regis Chichester Durrington-on-Sea East Worthing Ford Goring-by-Sea Lancing Littlehampton Pulborough Shoreham-by-Sea West Worthing Worthing

Can I use a Railcard with my Unizone ticket?

Can I use Unizone tickets on buses or other transport?

Who can get a 16-17 Saver?

Who can get a 16-25 Railcard?

You can get a 16-25 Railcard if you’re aged between 16 and 25, or you’re a mature student.

Mature students must:

Be attending a recognised college or university, for over 15 hours a week, at least 20 weeks a year. Unfortunately, Open University, distance learning and part-time courses do not qualify.
Have the mature student section of the 16-25 Railcard application form completed by your College or University.
Have an NUS card or College/University photocard as proof of identity.

You can buy the 16-25 Railcard online or at any staffed ticket office.

Please note: mature students should continue with a 16-25 Railcard, not a 26-30 Railcard.

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