I plan on being in England for 14-18 days or so (May/June). It'll be my 3rd time in England; I know I want Hampshire as my base for at least a week and will take some day trips to Southampton & London--maybe Bath, too (will be the 3rd visit to Bath). I might decide to go to Cambridge or go up North to Scotland for the other days or might decide to stay in Hampshire the whole time .
Does anyone have experience with the train system using different lines? Is there ONE pass that will cover the underground in London as well as the other train lines so that I can go somewhere on a whim? --Taking the bus is ok, too, if that is necessary/needed with any sort of pass.
Thank you!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The London Plus Pass should cover all your train trips except Scotland. Go to www.britrail.com and check the map for the area covered by this pass. It will cover you on National Rail trains within London but not on the Tube. For the Tube and London buses buy an Oyster card. See www.tfl.gov.uk.
For a trip to Scotland, your cheapest option would be Megabus. See www.megabus.com. Walk-up train fares for long distances are very expensive, but advance booking (30-90 days out) can get you cheap train fares.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
The London Plus pass does not cover the entire train trip to Bath. You will pay a little extra for that; check at the train station before leaving for Bath so you can get a proper ticket. They really check train tix at the Bath train station, so don't count on sliding by. I used this pass last fall for trips around London and felt it was convenient and somewhat money-saving. Beware that rail construction is (probably) being done on weekends, and you may be delayed/inconvenienced with detours around the work sites. Portsmouth was my favorite daytrip; Henry VIII's ship is there on display.
Posted by
Powell River, Canada
359 posts
Beg to differ, Swan, the London Plus does cover the trip to Bath per recent extensions by BritRail on that particular pass.
Posted by
OP
Mill Valley, CA, USA
26 posts
Glad to hear Portsmouth was your favorite daytrip, Swan. -meant to go there on the last trip but ran out of time. I did recently read about Henry III's boat but am really looking forward to HMS Victory---
Britrail seems fantastic--thank's all of you!