I'm going to England and Scotland this summer. It will be my first time abroad and I will probably be solo. I am a "planner" by nature (mostly because I get so excited about going to a new place) and so am trying to map out my travel on the ground, which I hope to do all by train. I'll be starting in London, going up to Edinburgh to visit a friend, then to Cambridge, possibly via York or some other midway point (suggestions welcomed). Then I'll need to get back to London from Cambridge. Based on my searches on the National Rail website, if I buy advance tickets now for all 4 legs (London > Edinburgh > York > Cambridge > London) I'll pay between 200-250 USD. However, I'm having trouble determining whether these prices are for "advance" or "anytime" tickets, since they say "anytime" next to the price, but I'm clearly shopping for them in advance. Is anyone able to clarify this? It has also occurred to me that I could get the 4 day BritRail Flexipass for $285. Or, for that matter, the 3 day pass for $229, which would cover the three most expensive days of travel, then add on the cost of train/bus from Cambridge back to London. I would like to have the flexibility of not committing to an exact itinerary, but (being the hyper planning type) need some reassurance: with the Flexipass, is there a chance I could show up at the station and not get a seat on the train that I want?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33585 posts
with the Flexipass, is there a chance I could show up at the station and not get a seat on the train that I want? Not unless it is a major football train and all the fans have been segregated and all seats filled - only very occasionally and only on special days. Vary rare indeed.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The walk-up fare for London-Edinburgh alone can be over £100. So the fares you found for advance tickets must be for specific departure dates and times.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Both the separate tickets prices and the Flexipass price look good to me. I suspect "Anytime" means you can travel at any time of day. "Off-Peak" tickets (outside rush hour) are the most common discounted tickets and, obviously, don't allow you to travel at "AnyTime". Best bet is just to call and ask. York is a great place. The center of town is a very easy walk from the station. Still, unless you know exactly where you are staying, I recommend a taxi. No grid pattern there. As Nigel mentioned, football trains can be very crowded, but the media will be full of it on that day, so you'll hear about it.
Posted by
Leesburg, VA, USA
342 posts
Since it looks like you will be buying only one-way tickets, and you want the flexibility of traveling to the next city whenever you want; the 3 day BritRail Flexipass looks like your best bet, then purchase either a train or bus ticket from Cambridge to London. If you purchase Anytime or Advance Single tickets, they must be used on the dates shown on your tickets. My husband and I used the BritRail Flexipass on our previous trips, and only once did we have to let one train go and catch the next one (London to Edinburgh). Also, with the pass, if you know at least the day before when you'll be taking the train, you can go to the train station and reserve a seat at no charge. The British railway system is very efficient, I think you'll really enjoy it. Have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland
3 posts
Thank you all for your helpful and reassuring replies. Sounds like Flexipass (3d) is the way to go for me. Thanks j.c. for the thumbs-up on York. Anything in particular that you enjoy seeing/doing/eating there? (here I go, hijacking my own thread....)