BritRail. Traveling BritRail with a BritRail Pass

Britain By BritRail

There is no better way to experience Britain than by rail. Rail travel in Britain is the most prefered mode of transportation. However, if you plan to see alot of Britain, single tickets can be costly. This is why the BritRail passes were invented.

It allows the traveler to explore all of Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Ireland (with the BritRail Ireland Pass) with one easy low cost pass.

Simply put, the BritRail passes will save you money. This is what they were designed for.

Britain receives millions of tourists every year. But as things get more expensive, the need for economical travel for the traveler seems to be top priority for the railways and Britain in general.

HOW DO THE PASSES WORK?

BritRail Passes come in their own ticket jackets, very similar to an airline ticket. They can be easily stored in a money pouch around your waist.

When you decide to begin travel, you simply take your railpass to a ticket window on your first day of use to get it validated. A railway official will then stamp your pass.

And no, you do NOT have to exchange the pass for rail tickets. The pass is your ticket for the whole duration of the pass. Go wherever you wish with one document. No line ups, no waiting, no hastle. You have from midnight to midnight to do as much rail travel as you wish, board any train you wish during the day. All counting as one day.

If you have a flexipass you will notice a sequence of boxes at the bottom.
Every time a conductor checks your pass, he will enter his signature, or punch a hole in the box beside the one last used. These boxes tell the conductors what days have been used.

So not only do railpasses save you money. But the convenience is also clear. No waiting in line for tickets. Just board your train directly and you're off.

The BritRail Passes allow you to come and go as you please without restriction and are valid on ALL train operating companies in the United Kingdom.

THE PASSES

BRITRAIL CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS

BritRail Passes allow unlimited travel in England, Scotland and Wales on any scheduled trains over the whole of Great Britain's National Rail network during the validity of the Pass without restrictions. Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express, trains from Luton Airport to London, from Birmingham and Manchester airports are also included.

BritRail Consecutive Pass is valid for travel on a set number of consecutive days. Passes are available for 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month.

If for example, you have a 22 day pass, you have 22 days to complete all your rail travel. You have from midnight to midnight to complete your rail day.

BritRail FlexiPass permits the holder to choose the travel days within the period of validity. Passes are available for 4, 8 or 15 days travel within 2 months.

If for example, you have a 4 days within 2 month pass, you have 2 months to complete four rail days.


BRITRAIL ENGLAND CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS

BritRail England Passes allow unlimited travel in England on any scheduled train. Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express, trains from Luton Airport to London, from Birmingham and Manchester airports are also included.

BritRail England Consecutive Pass is valid for travel on a set number of consecutive days. Passes are available for 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month.

If for example, you have a 22 day pass, you have 22 days to complete all your rail travel. You have from midnight to midnight to complete your rail day.

BritRail England FlexiPass permits the holder to choose the travel days within the period of validity. Passes are available for 4, 8 or 15 days of travel within 2 months.

If for example, you have a 4 days within 2 month pass, you have 2 months to complete four rail days.

There are other passes available as well.

Perhaps simple day trips from London are your thing. The BritRail Days Out Of London Pass would be perfect. This pass gives you 2 days in 8 days, 4 days in 8 days or 7 days in 15.

Or maybe you've always just wanted to visit Scotland. Then the Scottish Freedom Pass is the right pass for you. This pass gives you 4 days in 8 days or 8 days in 15 days

And Ireland?

The BritRail plus Ireland Pass is perfect. This pass gives you 5 days in 1 month or 10 days in 1 month.

For further details about the passes and information, I recommend Britain On Track. It seems as though its the only site around with indepth information. You can visit them at http://www.britainontrack.com/

A consecutive day pass provides unlimited rail travel on any day or all days for the duration of the pass. For example. If you have a 15 day consecutive pass you have 15 days to complete all your rail travel. Your railpass begins on the first day of use.

A flexipass is valid for a specific number of days within a longer period. For example. If you have a 15 day railpass within a 2 month period, you may choose any 15 days you wish within that two month period. Your railpass begins on the first day of use.

Youth Passes

Youth passes are available to travelers who are under the age of 26 on their first day of travel. Youth passes are popular among students and backpackers. Youth fares are normally 25% off the first and second class adult fares.

Youth pass holders are entitled to the discounted 1st or 2nd class travel for the duration of their passes. This is the preferred way to travel for students and young adults.

Travelers can meet other travelers, compare experiences, get advice and form friendships; all while traveling Britain in a safe and comfortable environment.

Older adults, tourists and businessmen tend to travel in the quieter 1st class cars.

Child Passes

Child passes in most cases are 50% of the regular adult pass. In some cases child fares have been pre-determined. Children under 4 years of age travel free in most cases.
In some cases children can travel free.

The BritRail Family Pass allows 1 child age 5-15 traveling with an adult or senior to travel free and half price for each additional child.

Seat Reservations

Trains in Britain run very frequently. Routes to/from London have at least one train an hour throughout the day in nearly every case and often more, especially to popular tourist destinations.

It is therefore perfectly acceptable to ‘turn up and go' - most people do! Indeed, this is what I advise and suggest. The Pass products allow for this type of flexibility.

linger in London, explore for longer in Edinburgh, get curious in Chester. The choice is yours. Your plans can be as structured as you wish. A touring vacation with a BritRail Pass means that you can plan general itineraries or routes and still make last minute changes - if it is raining in London it probably isn't in Norwich! You don't book road space when you rent a car and you need not book a seat on a train in advance!

Are there times when I need a reservation?

Whilst I advise maximum flexibility there are some occasions when I do advise reservations:

Peak times on long haul trains during holidays and on Summer Saturdays to the West Country. Like most people, Brits enjoy their weekends so Friday afternoons can also be busy especially out of London, particularly in Standard Class.

If you are travelling on a long journey in a small group, particularly if you are travelling from London to Scotland.

In First Class should you be taking a very early morning business train (say before 9am) from Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, or Newcastle.

If you are travelling out of London during the evening rush hour.

For more about the passes and information see Britain On Track

2006-10-05 16:12:17

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