Our August - September trip will require a total of 5 days of train travel. After 6 nights in London, I plan 2 nights in Canterbury, 2 nights in Eastbourne, 4 nights in Portsmouth and 3 nights in Bath and back to Heathrow. My husband has driven in England before, but I think a non-driving trip would be more relaxing. Please is there a British rail pass that would work well for our itinerary? Or would individual tickets be better? How soon would we need to reserve individual tickets for this itinerary? Thank you!
Posted by
Virginia
1018 posts
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
https://www.southernrailway.com/
https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/
https://www.gwr.com/
Price out individual journeys and see what really works for you. I did a very very quick check, for random day in August not looking for discounts and rounding up on the price to whole £, and got London St Pancras to Canterbury £19; Canterbury to Eastbourne £29; Eastbourne to Portsmouth £22; Portsmouth to Bath £18. At £88 or so I think individual tickets would be ideal. My impression of rail passes is that they benefit those doing many long distance journeys.
If you're traveling in August and September you're with in the window for the cheapest Advance Tickets. You may also find an Anytime ticket to be the best option for some journeys.
Posted by
Preston UK
1517 posts
Almost certainly buying single tickets will be cheapest. If there are two of you it might be worth getting a TwoTogether railcard. For £35 that will give you 1/3rd off the prices above so marginal saving for just those journeys but if you did any more or wanted to buy more flexible and expensive tickets then could be worthwhile. Just note that you can’t use the railcard before 9.30am on weekdays.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9749 posts
There is no UK rail pass which suits. But for flexibility the BritRail London plus pass may suit- purchased at home before travel.
You can probably do it cheaper with Advance purchased train specific tickets like £19 London to Canterbury but then you have no flexibility to travel in the moment.
Btitrail has no time restrictions.
So it kind of depends what kind of traveller you are.
If you went for Advance Tickets they should be open 12 weeks before travel, but equally the day before would do, if at a slightly higher price.