BritRail Pass
Aug 20th 2003, 2:29 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
BritRail Pass
I notice that there are multiple train companies operating in the UK
(e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
Any experience? Thank You.
(e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
Any experience? Thank You.
Aug 20th 2003, 4:45 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
"Richard" writes:
> I notice that there are multiple train companies operating in the UK
> (e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
> travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
That's essentially right.
Richard mentioned the UK, but that's not the area of validity.
Remember that the UK = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland = island of Great Britain [plus associated minor islands] +
Northern Ireland = (England + Scotland + Wales) + Northern Ireland.
Britrail passes are only valid in England, Scotland, and Wales
(that is, Great Britain).
They are valid on the National Rail network, which essentially means
everything that used to be part of British Rail until 1994, give or
take a few changes since then. (The old BR double-arrow symbol is
now used to mean National Rail.) This does *not* include London's
own systems such as the Underground, Docklands Light Railway, or
Croydon Tramlink; likewise it does not include the Glasgow Subway,
and similarly in other cities.
But it *does* include London's many suburban train routes and its
three airport express services (even Heathrow, which it once did
not), and again, similarly in other cities.
For Eurostar trains (London to Paris, Brussels, etc. via the Channel
Tunnel), Britrail passes do not give free travel but they do enable
you to pay a relatively low fare without booking far in advance.
(Eurailpass holders also qualify.) There is a limit on the number of
passholder-fare seats per train, though.
> Any experience? Thank You.
Britain's railway fares have complexities to rival airline fares.
Having a Britrail pass lets you ignore all that and travel when you
like, without needing to return by the same train company, book days
in advance, avoid peak times, and so on. I like to ride the trains
a lot, so for me it tends to be a win to have one.
On the other hand, if you *are* willing to fix your travel plans
well in advance, learn the different kinds of fares, and look for
the cheapest ones, and if you're not spending too much time on the
move, then you may well be able to travel more cheaply without the
pass. If that's what you want to do.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | "Men! Give them enough rope and they'll dig
[email protected] | their own grave." -- EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY
My text in this article is in the public domain.
> I notice that there are multiple train companies operating in the UK
> (e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
> travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
That's essentially right.
Richard mentioned the UK, but that's not the area of validity.
Remember that the UK = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland = island of Great Britain [plus associated minor islands] +
Northern Ireland = (England + Scotland + Wales) + Northern Ireland.
Britrail passes are only valid in England, Scotland, and Wales
(that is, Great Britain).
They are valid on the National Rail network, which essentially means
everything that used to be part of British Rail until 1994, give or
take a few changes since then. (The old BR double-arrow symbol is
now used to mean National Rail.) This does *not* include London's
own systems such as the Underground, Docklands Light Railway, or
Croydon Tramlink; likewise it does not include the Glasgow Subway,
and similarly in other cities.
But it *does* include London's many suburban train routes and its
three airport express services (even Heathrow, which it once did
not), and again, similarly in other cities.
For Eurostar trains (London to Paris, Brussels, etc. via the Channel
Tunnel), Britrail passes do not give free travel but they do enable
you to pay a relatively low fare without booking far in advance.
(Eurailpass holders also qualify.) There is a limit on the number of
passholder-fare seats per train, though.
> Any experience? Thank You.
Britain's railway fares have complexities to rival airline fares.
Having a Britrail pass lets you ignore all that and travel when you
like, without needing to return by the same train company, book days
in advance, avoid peak times, and so on. I like to ride the trains
a lot, so for me it tends to be a win to have one.
On the other hand, if you *are* willing to fix your travel plans
well in advance, learn the different kinds of fares, and look for
the cheapest ones, and if you're not spending too much time on the
move, then you may well be able to travel more cheaply without the
pass. If that's what you want to do.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | "Men! Give them enough rope and they'll dig
[email protected] | their own grave." -- EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY
My text in this article is in the public domain.
Aug 20th 2003, 5:35 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
Thank you Mark. Your detailed explanation was informative and more
current than much of the information that I had found on the Intranet.
Thank You!!!
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 04:45:56 -0000, [email protected] (Mark Brader) wrote:
>n the other hand, if you *are* willing to fix your travel plans
>well in advance, learn the different kinds of fares, and look for
>the cheapest ones, and if you're not spending too much time on the
>move, then you may well be able to travel more cheaply without the
>pass. If that's what you want to do.
current than much of the information that I had found on the Intranet.
Thank You!!!
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 04:45:56 -0000, [email protected] (Mark Brader) wrote:
>n the other hand, if you *are* willing to fix your travel plans
>well in advance, learn the different kinds of fares, and look for
>the cheapest ones, and if you're not spending too much time on the
>move, then you may well be able to travel more cheaply without the
>pass. If that's what you want to do.
Aug 20th 2003, 5:38 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
OOPs Internet...yes, I know the difference ;0)
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 05:35:55 GMT, Richard <[email protected]> wrote:
> Intranet.
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 05:35:55 GMT, Richard <[email protected]> wrote:
> Intranet.
Aug 20th 2003, 12:46 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
me <[email protected]> writes:
> I notice that there are multiple train companies operating in the UK
> (e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
> travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
> Any experience? Thank You.
Out of fun, I went to the BritRail website. It quoted the fare
Birmingham <-> London, a route I have travelled quite frequently, as
USD85 per person return (round trip). I've done the trip many times, and
the train fare can be as low as GBP7 per person return (call it about
USD11).
It seems to me that if you plan in advance (as the other poster
suggested) and don't spend all day on trains (but actually go out and
see what's out there), you're better off buying your train tickets as
needed, rather than buying a pass.
> I notice that there are multiple train companies operating in the UK
> (e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
> travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
> Any experience? Thank You.
Out of fun, I went to the BritRail website. It quoted the fare
Birmingham <-> London, a route I have travelled quite frequently, as
USD85 per person return (round trip). I've done the trip many times, and
the train fare can be as low as GBP7 per person return (call it about
USD11).
It seems to me that if you plan in advance (as the other poster
suggested) and don't spend all day on trains (but actually go out and
see what's out there), you're better off buying your train tickets as
needed, rather than buying a pass.
Aug 20th 2003, 1:22 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
"Helen Rose" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> me <[email protected]> writes:
> > I notice that there are multiple train companies operating in the UK
> > (e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
> > travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
> > Any experience? Thank You.
> Out of fun, I went to the BritRail website. It quoted the fare
> Birmingham <-> London, a route I have travelled quite frequently, as
> USD85 per person return (round trip). I've done the trip many times, and
> the train fare can be as low as GBP7 per person return (call it about
> USD11).
Be aware that this route has some VERY odd fare rules
Return fares on that route vary from £35.30 return for a fixed
ticket to £93.50 for an open return
BUT you can purchase single tickets valid for some trains , mainly mid day
7 days in advance for between £8.50 and £14.50
The days of £7 returns are LONG gone
Keith
news:[email protected]...
> me <[email protected]> writes:
> > I notice that there are multiple train companies operating in the UK
> > (e.g., Virgin Trains), does a BritRail Pass actually cover all train
> > travel within the designated period (except private luxary trains)?
> > Any experience? Thank You.
> Out of fun, I went to the BritRail website. It quoted the fare
> Birmingham <-> London, a route I have travelled quite frequently, as
> USD85 per person return (round trip). I've done the trip many times, and
> the train fare can be as low as GBP7 per person return (call it about
> USD11).
Be aware that this route has some VERY odd fare rules
Return fares on that route vary from £35.30 return for a fixed
ticket to £93.50 for an open return
BUT you can purchase single tickets valid for some trains , mainly mid day
7 days in advance for between £8.50 and £14.50
The days of £7 returns are LONG gone
Keith
Aug 20th 2003, 1:44 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
"Helen Rose" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
> me <[email protected]> writes:
> Out of fun, I went to the BritRail website. It quoted the fare
> Birmingham <-> London, a route I have travelled quite frequently, as
> USD85 per person return (round trip). I've done the trip many times, and
> the train fare can be as low as GBP7 per person return (call it about
> USD11).
> It seems to me that if you plan in advance (as the other poster
> suggested) and don't spend all day on trains (but actually go out and
> see what's out there), you're better off buying your train tickets as
> needed, rather than buying a pass.
Works if you know exactly where you're going and plans and book ahead.
Not always easy done if you're a visitor.
But BritRail is excellent if you want to go as you please and just jump on
any train.
I travelled on BritRail in the old BR time and managed to travel equal to an
estimated cost of about 4 times the BritRail price. But then I spend 3
nights in a sleeper.
L.P
news:[email protected]...
> me <[email protected]> writes:
> Out of fun, I went to the BritRail website. It quoted the fare
> Birmingham <-> London, a route I have travelled quite frequently, as
> USD85 per person return (round trip). I've done the trip many times, and
> the train fare can be as low as GBP7 per person return (call it about
> USD11).
> It seems to me that if you plan in advance (as the other poster
> suggested) and don't spend all day on trains (but actually go out and
> see what's out there), you're better off buying your train tickets as
> needed, rather than buying a pass.
Works if you know exactly where you're going and plans and book ahead.
Not always easy done if you're a visitor.
But BritRail is excellent if you want to go as you please and just jump on
any train.
I travelled on BritRail in the old BR time and managed to travel equal to an
estimated cost of about 4 times the BritRail price. But then I spend 3
nights in a sleeper.
L.P
Aug 20th 2003, 2:17 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
The World Wide Web, I think you mean.
Richard wrote:
> OOPs Internet...yes, I know the difference ;0)
> On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 05:35:55 GMT, Richard <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Intranet.
Richard wrote:
> OOPs Internet...yes, I know the difference ;0)
> On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 05:35:55 GMT, Richard <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Intranet.
Aug 20th 2003, 3:42 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
From what I have read, a BritRail First Class passholder may board any
train on a valid route and take an available seat. In pratice what
has your experience been? How important are seat reservations? If
you do not have a reservation, what is the process (e.g., the reserved
seats are marked with a placecatd, you see the conductor, or ...)?
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 04:45:56 -0000, [email protected] (Mark Brader) wrote:
>There is a limit on the number of
>passholder-fare seats per train, though.
train on a valid route and take an available seat. In pratice what
has your experience been? How important are seat reservations? If
you do not have a reservation, what is the process (e.g., the reserved
seats are marked with a placecatd, you see the conductor, or ...)?
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 04:45:56 -0000, [email protected] (Mark Brader) wrote:
>There is a limit on the number of
>passholder-fare seats per train, though.
Aug 20th 2003, 3:51 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
"Wendy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> From what I have read, a BritRail First Class passholder may board any
> train on a valid route and take an available seat. In pratice what
> has your experience been? How important are seat reservations? If
> you do not have a reservation, what is the process (e.g., the reserved
> seats are marked with a placecatd, you see the conductor, or ...)?
Reservations are usually only an issue on certain trains
If you are travelling on any train out of London on a friday night
you'd be well advised to reserve a seat, doing the same trip
mid day wouldnt be a problem
Similarly the early morning and late evning trains tend to
have a good many business travellers on board.
Keith
news:[email protected]...
> From what I have read, a BritRail First Class passholder may board any
> train on a valid route and take an available seat. In pratice what
> has your experience been? How important are seat reservations? If
> you do not have a reservation, what is the process (e.g., the reserved
> seats are marked with a placecatd, you see the conductor, or ...)?
Reservations are usually only an issue on certain trains
If you are travelling on any train out of London on a friday night
you'd be well advised to reserve a seat, doing the same trip
mid day wouldnt be a problem
Similarly the early morning and late evning trains tend to
have a good many business travellers on board.
Keith
Aug 20th 2003, 10:27 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
"Wendy":
> > From what I have read, a BritRail First Class passholder may board any
> > train on a valid route and take an available seat. In pratice what
> > has your experience been? How important are seat reservations? If
> > you do not have a reservation, what is the process (e.g., the reserved
> > seats are marked with a placecatd, you see the conductor, or ...)?
Keith Willshaw:
> Reservations are usually only an issue on certain trains
>
> If you are travelling on any train out of London on a friday night
> you'd be well advised to reserve a seat, doing the same trip
> mid day wouldnt be a problem ...
No disagreement here. Of course, Keith is talking about inter-city
trains; on suburban trains, you generally can't make reservations in the
first place, and it's not uncommon for people to stand at busy times.
Likewise, there are no reservations on secondary routes.
In British Rail days, the practice was that reserved seats were marked
with a placecard, and this has also been my experience when I have taken
inter-city trains in Britain in recent years. However, this system does
require them to be marked before the train starts its journey, so it's
possible that some operating companies have changed it. If someone came
up to me and showed me a reservation ticket for the seat I was in --
which happens routinely in some other European countries -- I'd move.
Note that if you're going from London to Bath, say, and the reservation
placecard shows the seat reserved from Bristol Parkway to Cardiff, then
you're free to sit there. You had better know the order of the places
along the route if you're going to do this.
By the way, on British trains where they take reservations, many of the
seats are grouped in fours (also twos in first class) facing forward and
backward around a small table, and you can request a seat facing forward
or backward. The corresponding forward and backward seats have the same
number, so your reservation ticket might read "12 F" and you have to find
the right seat 12. There are also "airline style" seats where you do not
sit face-to-face with someone else, and you have a pull-down table, but
if you reserve these seats you don't get a choice of which way you face.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto Rocket, 1829: The first 30 mph train.
[email protected] TGV-A, 1989: The first 300 mph train.
My text in this article is in the public domain.
> > From what I have read, a BritRail First Class passholder may board any
> > train on a valid route and take an available seat. In pratice what
> > has your experience been? How important are seat reservations? If
> > you do not have a reservation, what is the process (e.g., the reserved
> > seats are marked with a placecatd, you see the conductor, or ...)?
Keith Willshaw:
> Reservations are usually only an issue on certain trains
>
> If you are travelling on any train out of London on a friday night
> you'd be well advised to reserve a seat, doing the same trip
> mid day wouldnt be a problem ...
No disagreement here. Of course, Keith is talking about inter-city
trains; on suburban trains, you generally can't make reservations in the
first place, and it's not uncommon for people to stand at busy times.
Likewise, there are no reservations on secondary routes.
In British Rail days, the practice was that reserved seats were marked
with a placecard, and this has also been my experience when I have taken
inter-city trains in Britain in recent years. However, this system does
require them to be marked before the train starts its journey, so it's
possible that some operating companies have changed it. If someone came
up to me and showed me a reservation ticket for the seat I was in --
which happens routinely in some other European countries -- I'd move.
Note that if you're going from London to Bath, say, and the reservation
placecard shows the seat reserved from Bristol Parkway to Cardiff, then
you're free to sit there. You had better know the order of the places
along the route if you're going to do this.
By the way, on British trains where they take reservations, many of the
seats are grouped in fours (also twos in first class) facing forward and
backward around a small table, and you can request a seat facing forward
or backward. The corresponding forward and backward seats have the same
number, so your reservation ticket might read "12 F" and you have to find
the right seat 12. There are also "airline style" seats where you do not
sit face-to-face with someone else, and you have a pull-down table, but
if you reserve these seats you don't get a choice of which way you face.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto Rocket, 1829: The first 30 mph train.
[email protected] TGV-A, 1989: The first 300 mph train.
My text in this article is in the public domain.
Aug 20th 2003, 11:11 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: BritRail Pass
Thank you Mark. Your description fills the gap and gives me an idea
of what to expect. Thanks!!! Wendy
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 22:27:41 -0000, [email protected] (Mark Brader) wrote:
>No disagreement here. Of course, Keith is talking about inter-city
>trains; on suburban trains, you generally can't make reservations in the
>first place, and it's not uncommon for people to stand at busy times.
>Likewise, there are no reservations on secondary routes.
of what to expect. Thanks!!! Wendy
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 22:27:41 -0000, [email protected] (Mark Brader) wrote:
>No disagreement here. Of course, Keith is talking about inter-city
>trains; on suburban trains, you generally can't make reservations in the
>first place, and it's not uncommon for people to stand at busy times.
>Likewise, there are no reservations on secondary routes.
