From holidays to shopping: eight discounts for UK over-60s you might not know about

Illustration: Jamie Wignall Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian

Travel for free

The UK state pension age has risen but many companies and organisations still hold on to “the big 6-0” as the point at which senior citizenship begins, and it continues to represent a money-saving milestone as a result.

In Wales and Scotland you qualify for an older person’s free bus pass from the age of 60. You have to apply and provide proof of age and address and a passport-style photo.

In Scotland you access free bus travel via the National Entitlement Card, which also gives those who live on Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles two free return ferry journeys to the Scottish mainland each year.

In England, the older person’s free bus pass only arrives when you hit the state pension age (currently 66) – except in London. If you live in the capital, you can travel there for free when you are 60. You can get a 60+ London Oyster photocard until you are eligible for a Freedom Pass, for which the current eligibility age is 66.

The 60+ photocard gives you free travel on buses, the tube, trams, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, the Elizabeth line (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London, from 9am on weekdays and at any time at weekends and on bank holidays (it’s from 9.30am on weekdays for the National Rail services). You also get discounted fares on river services such as Thames Clippers, and discounts on Santander cycle hire.

For full details, check out the TfL website.

Get a rail or coach card

The senior railcard is for those aged 60 and over and costs £30 a year, or £70 for three years, and gives you a third off rail travel.

National Rail, which issues the cards, says people with a senior railcard save on average £86 a year, or £5.26 a journey. The railcard is not valid during the morning peak period – times differ around the country, so you will need to check before you travel.

A National Express senior coach card, which costs £15 plus £3 postage, gives you a third off standard and fully flexible fares, plus £15 day returns to anywhere in the UK on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays.

There are no restrictions on peak and off-peak travel times, so you can travel when it suits you.

Holiday for less

If you are booking a trip away, ask whether your airline, train company or hotel, including chains overseas, offers a senior discount.

The budget hotel chain Travelodge has in the past offered over-60s 25% off selected stays, while Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in the US is among those offering reduced rates.

Eurostar offers special senior fares for those aged 60-plus on its continental routes (for example, Brussels to Paris and Brussels to Amsterdam), but not for journeys between the UK and mainland Europe.

Enjoy a show

Many theatres and cinemas have special deals and showings for those aged 60-plus.

You can get £20 off tickets for midweek matinees (applying to full-price £89 and £69 tickets, or £79 and £59 tickets for the forthcoming production of Ballet Shoes) at the Lyttelton and Olivier theatres at London’s National Theatre. For shows in its Dorfman Theatre, higher-priced tickets are reduced to £36 for midweek matinees.

Other London theatres offering discounted tickets for over-60s include the Old Vic and the Young Vic.

The Ambassador Theatre Group runs one of the UK’s biggest ticketing operations, ATG Tickets, and says those over the age of 60 will get discounts at selected venues and shows, so it’s worth checking before you book.

The Picturehouse cinema chain’s free-to-join Silver Screen club gives over-60s a free hot drink and discounted tickets, typically for matinee shows.

The Odeon chain’s Silvers scheme shows films at quieter times of the day, with tickets from £3.50 including tea, coffee and biscuits served before the film.

Showcase cinemas have Silver Screenings on a Monday, with tickets for all films starting before 4pm usually discounted to £4.99.

Get out

Almost a million over-60s take advantage of the National Trust’s senior concession, a 25% discount off membership, bringing the cost down to £68.40 for individual senior membership, or £113.40 for joint senior membership, provided you have been a member for at least the last three consecutive years.

The Royal Horticultural Society offers a hefty discount on its life membership, reducing the individual price from £1,495 to £935.

Shop with a discount

The supermarket chain Iceland has a Bonus Card scheme that provides all shoppers with offers and savings, but has an extra perk for cardholders over 60: a 10% discount in its shops every Tuesday. When shopping you will need to show ID – a senior bus pass, senior railcard or driving licence.

Asda is another retailer that targets the over-60s with deals. It ran a popular “winter warmer” meal deal between 1 November last year and the end of February this year, which offered soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffee for only £1 in any of its 205 cafes. Keep an eye out for future offers.

Play or watch sport

Older fans of sports including football, cricket and rugby can often get discounts on tickets. In many cases you have to be at least 65 or 66 but there are several football club season ticket schemes, such as Sheffield United’s, that start reductions at the age of 60.

Some golf clubs offer membership discounts or incentives to older players. The age requirements vary. The GolfSupport.com website carried out a UK survey and published its findings, which may help you track down a good deal in your area.

Stay healthy

NHS prescriptions in Scotland and Wales are free for everyone but in England you need to pay until you turn 60; after that they are free.

In Wales, those aged 60-plus can get free NHS dental examinations, too. Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free NHS dental examinations.

NHS-funded eye tests are free for everyone in Scotland. In the other countries of the UK, those who are 60 and over are entitled to free NHS eye tests, which you can take up at most opticians.

Specsavers offers over-60s 20% off glasses, while Boots Opticians has a 10% discount on your first pair of glasses.

With the Advantage Card loyalty scheme at Boots you can access Over 60s Rewards, which gives you more points: eight for every £1 spent on Boots brands and selected exclusives, including No 7, Botanics, Liz Earle, Champneys and Joules.