Grandparents are making record numbers of rail trips to visit their families.

Use of Senior Railcards has increased almost 50% in six years to a record 1.1 million, a study found.

And pensioners are getting more adventurous by travelling further, increasing their distance by 15% in the same time, said the Association of Train Operating Companies.

A total of 34% said they used their railcards – which cost £28 a year and give a third off tickets – to visit family and friends.

Top destinations are big cities, led by London which accounts for 4.1 million journeys, with 571,055 going to Manchester.

Fourteen of the top 20 destinations for senior railcards are among the areas with the highest density of families with dependent children.

Almost half of over 60s regularly look after grandchildren, so the figures suggest they are prepared to go the extra mile for their families.

Michael Roberts, chief executive of ATOC, said: Michael Roberts, chief executive of ATOC, said: “Gone are the days when people stay in the town where they grew up, but grandparents are not letting distance put them off visiting loved ones.

“Rather than spending their retirement taking it easy, Britain’s over-60s are more likely to be travelling across the country to drop in on their family and look after their grandchildren.

“After decades of decline, rail is booming as Britons see train travel as an increasingly important way of getting round the country.

This success based on sustained investment and an industry focused on attracting more passengers is helping the country keep in touch during tough economic times.”

Charity Age UK said it showed how important it was for older people to travel. 

It wants to make it easier for them to get railcards, which are available online.

They say many older people don’t have a home computer or access to one because of public libraries closing.

Top destinations

With number of journeys

LONDON 4,174,900

MANCHESTER 571,055

BIRMINGHAM 446,085

EDINBURGH 410,408

GLASGOW 319,455

BRIGHTON 299,688

LIVERPOOL 288,555

YORK 257,461

LEEDS 252,343

CARDIFF 213,457

READING 213,230

BRISTOL 209,543