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Britrail Pass confusion

Posted by on

Hello! It’s time to book my train travel in Scotland, England and Wales, and even after checking the GWR website and these forums I’m confused about whether or not I should buy a Britrail Pass.

Can I book on GWR with a Britrail Pass? It’s appears free to book, whereas on ACP it is not.
I would be buying the standard-fare, 2-month, 15-day pass; even buying cheapest tickets it pencils out to save me a bit.
For the leg from Glasgow to Oban I want to upgrade to first class for a better seat.

Any thoughts? More information needed?
Should I buy the pass or just book out most of my travel since I already know my itinerary?

Thanks, sorry if this has already been answered and I haven’t found it.
And thanks to those of you who already helped me with my itinerary!

Posted by
9009 posts

If you've done the maths and it works for you just go for it and buy Britrail.

Details-
Yes you can book seats on GWR without needing a ticket number, that is a wholly independent process. I've done that a number of times. No need to pay ACP.
There is no first class to Oban- entirely standard class seats. However they have just completed a platform extension programme, so longer trains can and are running now. Some are as long as 7 cars as far as Crianlarich now with 5 cars running forward to Fort William 4 to Mallaig), and two to Oban. Some of the purely Oban trains are now 4 car, so better capacity now.

As you are travelling to Mull in May there are smaller ferries than normal running from Oban. So everyone (including foot pax) is advised to pre book their trips on the CalMac website.

West Coast Motors have NOT enhanced the Craignure to Tobermory bus TT as expected so weekday trips from Craignure are at 0800, 0830, 1105, 1330, 1700 and 1915 from Tobermory at 0725, 0945, 1220, 1550 and 1810.

The Britrail pass only starts at Cairnryan, not Belfast. So you would need to book the Belfast-Cairnryan ferry on your own. That is £36. Sail Rail is only £36 so the bus Cairnryan to Ayr and train Ayr to Glasgow are free. However collecting the tickets in Northern Ireland is a bit challenging.
If you come over on Hannons it is £47 but that includes the bus from Belfast City to Belfast Port and avoids all luggage handling as the luggage stays in the hold of the bus even for the sea crossing.

Posted by
8 posts

Thanks for the very detailed info, isn31c, re Britrail, ferries and buses! You are a wealth of information.
Good to know about the ferry to Mull, I will book that now as well!

Re: Belfast to Glasgow, it seems like a flight on EasyJet may be the easiest, although more expensive than the ferry/buses.

Thanks again!

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