British RailPass - worthy to buy?

I've used a Britrail Pass twice and will again on our trip in the Spring. They are easy and cost saving for me. You have to do the math. I add up the anytime ticket cost of each trip and if the Britrail is cheaper than that I get it. This is because we like to have flexibility, convenience and room for spontaneity. The more longer trips you are taking, the more savings. We often like to get going early on a travel day which usually means traveling during peak times which are more expensive. We also take day trips and take peak time train back to our lodging. For our Spring trip we will get the 8 days in month M-pass. We are going to Wales this trip but I am getting the Britrail England because we will be in the UK 5 weeks (more than a month) and will be on train more than 8 days. Also, the Wales routes are short so not as much savings. I have used the paper pass and they did mail it snail mail. It worked fine too. If the Saver is cheapest for you, the paper pass will be fine. Happy to answer any other questions.

if the printed pass is on official railway ticket paper they can't very well email it can they?

I used to work on the English railways and have examined my fair share of Britrail passes. Be ; sure to have your passport easily available because you will have to present it when you present your pass - when tickets and passes are requested both on train and at the entry and exit barrier.

The only way you will know about the finances is to price out a reasonable normal ticket for each segment you expect to travel, bear in mind what times you will be travelling, off peak or during the rush hour, weekday or weekend, and check what Advance tickets are often available on each segment. If you can travel in less popular times (not when everybody is going to or from work or on holiday or to or from football you can get some real deals on Advance tickets. Anytime tickets are by definition the most expensive. Add them all up and compare to the pass. Don't forget any shipping charges for getting the pass. ... then you'll know.

as said up thread, the value of a Britrail Pass is on frequent long or quite long journeys, particularly at popular times where Advance tickets are less likely to be available or reasonably priced.

Comparing with lots of short journeys taken off peak or on weekends is likely to tip the balance the other way.

I did the Two Together pass online and it lived on my phone, I just mentioned to ticket agents I had it and they said fine. There are a LOT of passes at the moment, I bet that man in Seat 61 has some rules of thumb.

Applying took some time and some tech.

You could consider purchasing a Railcard -https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/railcards/

Getting a railcard if you qualify need not take any tech - you can buy them when you arrive from a ticket office. You will need proof of age for young person and senior cards and two passport sized photos (not passport quality though) for a TwoTogether card.

Whilst many staff will not ask for proof of your railcard many will, so you must be carrying it and able to show it.

I would say my railcard has been checked more often than not...

..... whereas my railcard very rarely is checked anywhere in the UK. In three years I could probably count the number of times on one hand.
Not at all to say you shouldn't have one.
But then I have a physical railcard and always use paper tickets, like today.
The difference is that when an electronic ticket is scanned the machine prompts the guard to also check your railcard, and (s) he is paid extra by some train companies to do so, not so with paper.

Thanks for all replies here.

Katiecem, may i ask how long the british rail paper pass arrive at your place via snail mail? I will be travelling to UK in two months' time.
8 days M-pass means for instance, 4, 6, 10 Sept and 16, 25 Sept and 1 ,2, 5 Oct should be considered 6 days flexi M-pass, correct?
I calculated the total cost of point-to-point ticket = GBP471. The British England Flexi Railpass cost GBP961. May i know whether it is possible to change the ticket at last minute with British Flexi Railpass if i change my mind about date or destination or something disrupt my travel plans?

James, is railcard meant for only UK residents?

Johnew52, is it possible to buy the railcard from the train station on the spot? For example, i buy train ticket on the same day i will be departing on the train? Is it possible to buy some ticket for different destinations in a day's advance or on the spot?

You mentioned "proof of age for young person and senior cards and two passport sized photos", you mean on the website i have to submit the proof document?

TwoTogether card? GBP35? Mean that I can apply that type of card for two people including myself? If it is the case, it is cheaper this way. Can it be valid if i apply for this type of railcard?

Railcards are for anyone, as long as you meet the criteria. If you are under 30 you can get a Young Person's card, over 60 a Senior card or if there are two people of any age travelling together a Two Together card. there is also a Family & Friends card if you're travelling with children. All the cards cost £35 for year - with the TwoTogether it's only 1 x £35.
You can buy tickets in advance saying that you have the relevant card and will get one third of the price of whatever ticket you buy. You only need to have the railcard(s) when you board the train. They can all be bought ahead of time online and held on a phone or can buy physical cards at a ticket office any time up to departure. If you're travelling in September and early October you should be able to buy your tickets now. You can either store them on your phone, have them sent to print out at home or arrange to collect them from a machine at the station before you travel.

My senior railcard gets checked more often than not. It's on my phone as last time I forgot to renew until just before travelling so needed to do it quickly.

I always used to opt for paper tickets but now more often get them on my phone as it's a lot easier to claim refunds and we get plenty of them on the West Coast main line.

edit:- So, if you are eligible for a railcard the £471 you have calculated will become roughly £314 +£35.

It's on my phone as last time I forgot to renew until just before
travelling so needed to do it quickly.

Your mobile non-UK phone number or your email address? It requires only UK phone number.
May i ask how you got the railcard on your mobile phone? Via email address?

This is the instruction on the railcard website: -

If you have ordered a digital Railcard, a download code will be sent to your registered email address,  along with instructions on how to download your Railcard.

www.railcard.co.uk

Thanks a lot.

Sorry, I don’t remember how long it took for paper pass to arrive. It was 2019. I’ve used mobile since then and you don’t need a uk phone or phone number, just an international plan.

In your comparison between point to point and Britrail, did compare the most expensive tickets, Anytime Single? If so, a Britrail is not for you. If not, do so and see which is more expensive.

In terms of exchange, read the conditions on the Britrail site.

Katiecem, may i check if your British Rail Pass can cancel the ticket and change the ticket, do need to book the tickets in advance, just hop on and off the train and change the train as you wish, can?

Only Eurail Global Pass include Eurostar?

You use BritRail 2FOR1 in order to get free attraction place to visit?

Refunds will be granted if an unvalidated paper Pass is returned to the retailer from which it was purchased within 11 months from the date of issue, (unless a different time period is specified by your travel agent); or a request to cancel an MPass is made to and confirmed by the retailer.

I wonder how will it be returned back to the retailer since it is mailed to you via email? Full refund?

rail protection cover for your Pass while travelling.

What rail protection cover?

Refunds will be granted if an unvalidated paper Pass is returned to
the retailer from which it was purchased within 11 months from the
date of issue, (unless a different time period is specified by your
travel agent); or a request to cancel an MPass is made to and
confirmed by the retailer.

I wonder how will it be returned back to the retailer since it is
mailed to you via email? Full refund?

I explained in your question about paper pass on official railway paper how that would not be emailed to you - how would you print on official railway paper an email? You return it in the post, the same way you received it. But why would you need to return it? If you are not ready to commit, why buy it?

If you hold a Britrail pass you just join the train. Your pass is your ticket.

Hello, i need to clarify that British Flexi Pass is eligible for any train like LNER, LUMO train from UK to other states like Edinburgh....excluding Eurostar.

May i check if Eurail Pass is eligible for any train like LNER, LUMO from UK to edinburgh, Bath...as well as Eurostar, correct?

I understand that Eurail pass is eligible for Bahn, SCNF, DB, OBB....etc. Thanks.

British Rail Pass is entitled to 20% discount, correct?

In terms of exchange, read the conditions on the Britrail site.

Katicem, Sorry, I cannot find it on Britrail site at all. There is only term and condition.

May i know whether it is possible to change the ticket at last minute
with British Flexi Railpass if i change my mind about date or
destination or something disrupt my travel plans?

Nigel, sorry, actually this portion is meant to address Katicem because she mentioned to me "In terms of exchange, read the conditions on the Britrail site."

So i asked Katicem if she is referring to that certain portion - "Refunds will be granted if an unvalidated paper Pass is returned to the retailer from which it was purchased within 11 months from the date of issue, (unless a different time period is specified by your travel agent); or a request to cancel an MPass is made to and confirmed by the retailer.
I wonder how will it be returned back to the retailer since it is mailed to you via email? Full refund?"