Planning a trip next May. We mostly want to travel by train, but will have to rent a car some of the time. These passes look like a good deal. Are they really?
Any experiences - good or bad - appreciated.
Posted by
Manchester
497 posts
The only real advantage the pass gives you is a potential price saving over paying the standard, "walk-up" train fares. This is not necessarily a bad thing though, British train fares receive less subsidies from the govt. than in other European countries which makes them some of the most expensive. Train tickets are priced like the airlines. The cheapest tickets are non-changeable, non-refundable advance purchase tickets, flexible or walk-up fares are the most expensive.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ will let you check times and prices. Cost out your itinerary using flexible tickets and then again using the cheaper, restricted tickets. Compare these totals to the cost of a pass. That way you know how much (if anything) the pass will save you and if you are willing to pay extra for some flexibility over advance purchase tickets.