Are there Senior Citizen Discounts?
 

I'm wondering if there are senior citizen discounts available in the UK, Wales? If so, how does one access them? I have a EU passport. But hubby travels on a US passport. Any idea's would be welcome.

You'll get cheaper entry into a lot of attractions. Look for the 'concessions' price.

I received an OAP (Old Age Pensioner) discount in Northern Ireland strictly on the strength of my gray hair, and possibly my careworn face. Another place also had "concessionary" prices which I found meant student and OAPs. I travel on a US passport but was never asked for any proof of my age, much less citizenship.

Generally, sites and attractions that offer OAP, Senior Citizen or Concessionary rate will let both of you in at reduced prices - you may be asked to show a proof, such as passport, but it isn't common (unless you look like under 50!)
There is special travel scheme for over 60s now in England and Wales, whereby they get free off-peak bus travel by showing a pass. But it's only available to residents, not tourists.
Other discount schemes require buying a card, such as Senior Railcard. It entitles 1/3 off regular fares, valid a year and costs £24. You both need to buy one to qualify for reduced travel. You may be better off with Britrail Pass, which comes in several versions.
A useful website for senior discount info is http://www.seniorsdiscounts.co.uk/index.htm

The only place I remember getting a senior discount was entry to Westminster Abbey.

I celebrated my 60th birthday by getting a discount into Edinburgh Castle.I am consistently told I look like I'm in my early 50's, but no one asked for proof.
sal

Most museums we went to charged about 1 or 2 GBP less for seniors-- Leighton House, Embankment Galleries, Royal Academy of Arts, and a few others.

I was given a senior rate for the Globe Theater tour.

Just came back from England a couple of weeks ago. I got "concession" rates several places. Always ask. One place was the walks done through "London Walks." I paid 5 pounds. I think 7 pounds was the regular adult price. Also saved several pounds on The London Eye. No one ever asked for proof of age.

Can one of you explain to me how you can go to a foreign country, expect to pay less than those natives who actually have families to bring up, and still look at yourselves in the mirror?

It's bad enough that some older people exploit the fact they've got nothing to do all day but hold out the begging bowl.

But taking this mendicancy abroad takes shiftless scrounging to a wholly new level.

Would it kill you to stand on your own two feet for a change?

Sorry , flanner but you too could get a discount coffee at MacDonald's! The best deals we have gotten in the UK is at theaters on the day of performance... better than TCKTS

Yeah Flanneruk,

What do foreign countries and families have to do with anything? Seniors and students from anywhere else can get senior and student discounts in NY too. What's the problem?

I agree ticket discounts on day of performance are super.
A general consideration, in most of Europe discounts for seniors are limited to members of the EU, one exception I recall is the Alcazar in Seville, it is free for anyone over 65, and of course the Paradores of Spain , great discounts for Seniors. sorry I do not know much about UK, ...

Actually many of the US senior discounts are limited to US citizens or legal aliens, not foreign visitors.

If you can afford to travel across continents then you can afford to pay the full rate. Or use your AAA card to get a discount if you must get a bargain.

Flanner, you are beginning to sound like a grumpy old man. Surely you must qualify for the discounts? ;-)

Remember, senior and other discounts are also a ploy to get more people to visit the sites, esp as seniors can travel off-peak times when it's quieter (and the venues aren't making much money).

I don't get nasty when I'm called over by British visitors here & asked about OAP discounts. I'm not as rude to them as Flanner would obviously be to US visitors requesting the same in the UK.

I have no problem taking advantage of senior discounts, but what I find annoying is the constant claim that many museums are 'free'and one need not pay.

If one can afford a trip overseas, thay can certainly afford to put a few GBP.s or Euro's in the kitty.

Thanks, Now I feel better. :)

I have no problem taking advantage of senior discounts, but what I find annoying is the constant claim that many museums are 'free' and one need not pay.


Yes, there is always somewhere where you can make a donation. I suppose that they are not really free but the entry fee is at the visitor's discretion.
Mind you, I think that it's great if students or unemployed people can actually see the great collections without having to pay.

Senior visitors can get discount meals in pubs. As they're meals for seniors, they're generally soup or slop, which means you don't need teeth to eat them. Which means you don't have to pack the false teeth (nor the spares); so you can use that weight saving to pop in an extra pair of white sneakers. ;)

Frankly I feel all the wise-crack remarks regarding seniors are a little out of place. The fact that Seniors can pay or not is irrelevant. When a discount for seniors is offered usually is an advantage for both parties because it is easier for seniors to visit a museum or go to a movie during working hours. On the other hand when someone is retired most likely has to be more careful with its fixed income.
When a hotel offers a better rate to any group or person it is simply because it is good business for the hotel. Same principle.

flanneruk--There are a lot of American (and other) seniors who do not have vast unlimited incomes and who, because they would like to see more of the world than their own backyard, scrimp, save, and (like me) work several days a week at a low-paying job in retirement just to be able to afford such trips. In my case, every little bit helps (espec. considering that everything in Britain is approximately twice what it is in the US) and I don't feel like I'm taking advantage in the least by getting these discounts. If they had a problem with non-British getting the discounts, they would limit them to British citizens. Obviously there's something in it for them too or they wouldn't offer it so freely. We aren't twisting their arms to get concession rates.