I'm traveling by train in the UK this summer, and trying to figure out whether the 4 day nonconsecutive train pass is the best (cheapest) way to go. We're planning on travel from 1) London to York; 2)York to Edinburgh; 3) Edinburgh to London; and 4) London to Holyhead. Would we save money with the passes...or be better off buying the tickets individually? We will also have a 12 year old with us, and I think she can ride free if we have passes? Has anyone done this? We will be travelling during July. Would you suggest we buy tickets on specific trains in advance? How far ahead of time should we book? Can we do this before we get to the UK? Thanks!
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
You have to do the math. Discount tickets are usually released about 12 weeks prior to travle date. There are limited number. Pick a day 12 weeks from now and put that in on the rail site (we use http://www.rail.co.uk/ ) for each of your planned journeys. Then compare that to the price of the passes. I don't know about the 12 year old traveling free on the trains. Nigel on the board works for a British rail company and maybe he can address that. We always used BritRail passes when we traveled, but I don't think they are quite the bargain they used to be. But we enjoyed the flexibility. With advance purcahse discount tickets you are paying for a specific train (departure time) on a specific date. If you miss that train you loose your money. With the pass you can travel on any train, any time.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Here's a quote from the Railpasses section on this site: "For each adult or senior pass you buy at regular rates, one child (5–15) travels with you free (specify which child with which adult when you order). This 'Family Pass' deal is available with regular Britrail and Britrail England passes but not with BritRail Plus Ireland, Scotland, nor London Plus Passes." However, advance purchase, point-to-point, discount fare tickets may be cheaper than two passes. London-York can be as low as £10.25. York-Edinburgh can be as low as £9.80. Edinburgh-London can be as low as £12.00. Do you plan to take a ferry from Holyhead to Dublin? if so, you can buy SailRail tickets for £33 that cover your train ride from London to Holyhead plus your ferry ride to Dublin. No advance purchase necessary.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
I can't answer about passes, others have (thanks Toni and Tim). For normal tickets, either bought in advance or walk-up, children under 5 are free, 5-16 are child fare, 16 up are adult fare. Senior fare discounts only upon purchase of a Senior Railcard. Hope that helps.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Here's another site to use to check for discount train tickets: www.eastcoast.co.uk. The site accepts US credit cards. As Toni said, start checking about 12 weeks in advance. If no discount fares appear for your travel dates, wait a few days and check again.