We are traveling to England, Scotland, and Wales in June, and are planning to buy a Britrail Flex Pass with 8 days of travel. Our planned train trips are:
1) Heathrow to York
2) York to Edinburgh
3) Edinburgh to Moreton-in-Marsh
4) Moreton-in-Marsh to Llandudno
5) Llandudno to Chester to Heathrow
We also expect to take a few day trips via train (Stirling Castle from Edinburgh, some castles from Llandudno). We are debating between a "first class" and "standard" Britrail pass. I understand that there will only be a few first class trains on our connections, but some of those will be long trips, and I know that my family of introverts would prefer a little more space with not as many people! :-) My concern is: with 5 of us traveling, and fewer first class seats available per train, what are the chances we will be able to get seats together in first class? I'm sure we would be much more comfortable sitting all together in standard class, versus having to sit apart in first class.
Anyone have experience with this, and willing to provide feedback? Just an FYI - we aren't usually "first class" people, but I'm trying to make this trip as enjoyable as possible for my kids, and am thinking they'd prefer more space on the trains. But not if we have to sit apart...
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9383 posts
Standard class would be my choice.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9741 posts
The majority of your trains have first class. The whole point of first class is it is less crowded. For the perks of included food and drink and lounge access for the modest extra cost totally worth it IMO.
If you haven't done it you don't know what a huge difference it makes, even just the lounges, like at an airport.
On this itinerary at Kings Cross, York, Edinburgh, Birmingham , Crewe and Euston pre and post journey.
For your LNER trips reserve your seats on their website up to 5 minutes before travel, for all other journeys ditto on the GWR website.
On Cross Country trains especially it is an incalculable difference.
I've done it in the last few weeks. 1000% worth it.
Posted by
2787 posts
I don't think you are linking these places in the most efficient way - too much zig zagging which is increasing the time spent on trains. For example, EDB > MIM is 6 to 7 hours with some options taking you all the way back to London.
After Edinburgh, it might be better to do this as:>
EDB > Llandudno (dep 10.52 arrive 15.58 with 1 change at Warrington - based on present weekday schedule).
Llandudno > Chester (just over 1 hour).
Chester to MIM takes around 3 hours with 3 changes.
MIM > Heathrow.
They have fewer 1st class seats per train because most people won't pay the extra money - unless they can get company expenses.
Posted by
London
492 posts
I think if you can afford the extra for first class and you want a bit more space, it makes sense to get it. For me personally, I find first class tickets to be quite expensive and not worth the extra cost- I normally show up about 15 minutes before departure so wouldn't use a lounge, and I normally get my own food/drinks/snacks at M&S or similar before boarding. If your main concern is sitting together, then for both classes as long as you book seats ahead I think you will be fine either way. I also agree if you are able to change your itinerary somewhat that it makes much more sense to go from Edinburgh to Chester/North Wales and then down to the Cotswolds and Heathrow so you aren't back tracking so much. Good luck with the rest of your planning!
Posted by
OP
Pennsylvania, USA
12 posts
Thank you so much for the feedback everyone! Based on this, I think we will go with the first class Britrail pass.
Regarding the zig-zagging itinerary - it is necessary because the Cotswolds part is a 3-day Hf Holidays walking tour (our first with them, and a high travel priority for us). They only had availability on the weekend, so we had to plan the rest of the trip around it. We are also restricted by kids' last day of school and summer camp dates. It's a challenge planning these trips for a family of 5!
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1756 posts
I don’t know what the cost difference is but if it’s not a lot then I’d do it as first class is so much quieter than standard. At the times and journeys I tend to make first class is a huge jump in price so I never pay for it.
Posted by
OP
Pennsylvania, USA
12 posts
As of today (June 1 2025), the Britrail 8-day flex pass cost for our family of 5 is:
$1,974 for first class
$1,324 for standard class
Quite a bit more for first class, but sounds like it may be worth it for the extra space on longer journeys.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9741 posts
That is $600 extra for 5 people for 8 days, so basically $15 per person per day. That is a total bargain in my opinion.
The domestic one I have just had was £960 for 14 days for one (senior) in 1st, or £630 in standard.
I thought mine was a steal.
The second most expensive rail ticket I have ever had- beaten only by a 10 journey Caledonian Sleeper ticket I once had.
Posted by
OP
Pennsylvania, USA
12 posts
For anyone considering the Britrail pass for a family, here was the final breakdown in cost for the "first class" 8-day flex pass:
2 adults @ $759 each
1 child (16) @ $456 (youth rate)
2 children (12 & 14) @ $0 (1 child free with 1 paid adult)
Total cost = $1981.20 (that includes a $7.20 booking fee)
To compare, the "standard class" ticket was just under $1,400, and still included 2 free children. I think this is why the "first class" upgrade didn't cost that much more - 2 kids were free either way.
Just thought this info might help anyone else planning a family trip by rail to the UK.