Is there a Downside to BritRail,Pass?

I have always believed that GB was the one country where a rail pass was beneficial given that the British rail is the most expensive train system in Europe. You have done the numbers which gives you your answer. I know of no hidden costs.

Turning that on its head somewhat, the reason passes can still make sense in the UK is because there are no additional reservation fees or supplements to take particular type of trains. Indeed apart from rare trains associated with travel to a particular event or to a few places on days such as Christmas Eve there is no requirement to have a reservation at all, although this may be desirable.

The 'Seat61' site describes the UK fares as not being the most expensive, but being the most 'commercially aggressive' . For example a group of four can travel very cheaply in standard class on many routes under 'group save' arrangements where they can travel for the same price as two on already discounted tickets.

Thanks! That is what I was hoping to hear.

Just to be sure---no restrictions either? Seems like there must be no limitation on passholder seats, since reservations are not required, but free if one wants to make them. Again, just checking for complete information.

There are some restrictions on time on some of the variants of passes which you should see on the website selling the passes.

Thanks Marco. I was writing my last post at the same time as you wrote yours.

We would be traveling at off-peak times, I believe. We tend to do a 4-5 hour journey between 10 am and 3 pm as this works best with our lodging at both ends, and isn't rushed. So I assume that will conform to the limitations?

I agree, many times the Britrail pass makes sense. I also like to point out that, while It does not apply in your case, if you are traveling with an under 16 yr old; they go free with an adult, making the pass even more of a bargain.

The restrictions there are appear to be on some of the regional passes on peak travel. So 10am is after that, but there probably aren't any on they type of pass you have anyway.

Another thing not always appreciated is that the return part of non advance tickets can presently have as many journey breaks as you want within a month. So on the return part of a London-Edinburgh ticket you could stop for example at Newcastle, Durham, York, Grantham, Lincoln, Peterborough on the way back to London. This can work out cheaper than a series of advance tickets. Doesn't work on the outward portion though which is only valid until 4:29 the day following the date on it.

I usually don't advocate passes but in your case you might be happy in First for the several long journeys and the pass takes off all the pressure of making specific trains on which you might well save money if GroupSave 4 tickets are available.

If the prices are comparable, and getting ressies are easy - I'd say goferit.