Britrail confusion

As with any fares on any mode of transportation these days, there are deals if you book in advance, travel on certain days, etc. The best review of UK rail prices I've found is www.nationalrail.co.uk. It acts as a clearinghouse for the railways, posting all the prices available, plus their restrictions. You can book thru them (using the postcode of your UK hotel) or, if you wish, go directly to the website of the train company providing the service...altho I'm not sure why that'd be necessary. It shows early October, outbound as low as 23.50 pounds and back the same day as low as 9.50 pounds. It'll allow you to search and book up to 12 weeks in advance, so mid-october onwards is now just coming open.

Definitley consider getting a BritRail pass. You purchase them from a travel agent here int he US and get them validated when you arrive. 2 levels- 8 days of travel out of 15 or 15 days out of 30. They are also good on both the Heathrow and Gatwick Express trains. I'd also get a London visitor's travel card for buses and subway(the Tube) in London- also get that from your travel agent here before you go. Or get an Oyster car when you arrive. Have you made your hotel plans yet? I have been to the UK more than 40 times. Let me know if you have ????s.

Hi Ann, Norm gave you really great info in his post. If you are going to be in London of a week with only a couple of side trips on your own, then I wouldn't get a Britrail Pass. Those are good for longer stays but not for a week. Like Norm said the more advance that you can purchase tickets the better price you will get. You could even call London 011-44-20-7278-5240 purchase tickes.

BritRail passes for 4 days (second class) run anywhere from $46/day (23 pounds, England only) to $75/day (37 pounds), depending on the flexibility and coverage you want. And you must take a day of your pass each time you use the Heathrow or Gatwick Expresses to and from the airport.

Thank you everyone for your help! I think that I'll preorder my tickets as Norm suggested. For the two trips we're taking, the Britrail pass doesn't seem like the best bargain. Is it best to order through the website? Go to a travel agent?

Thanks!

I think the discount fares are only available online. Remember to register using a UK postal code. Then enter your real address so your credit card information will be accepted.

I share your frustrations. We experienced tremendous frustration trying to buy point-to-point tickets within England last March. Given our itinerary, Brit Rail would have been the most expensive option. Best of luck as you try to navigate the online reservations systems. That was another challenge. We had to use our hosts' address to get the vendors to accept our credit cards.