BritRail Blog, Get Your British Rail Pass information

Anonymous  on May 5th, 2009

Can the extra coupons for use on the airport expresses be used outside the 8 or 15 day period of the pass?

angela  on May 14th, 2009

Yes, the Airport Express coupons are used outside the 2, 4 or 7 days of travel, as the coupons will not use up a day of travel.

Patricia Simpson  on May 14th, 2009

Hi

Is this a flex pass? Can you choose your days of travel? Is there a youth cost or is it all adult fare rates?
Thanks

angela  on May 15th, 2009

Hi Patricia

Yes the BritRail London Plus Pass is a Flexi Pass. You can choose 2 or 4 days of travel within a 8 day validity period, or 7 days of travel within a 15 day validity period.

Fares available include Adult 1st or Standard class, children 5-15 pay half the adult fare and children under 5 travel free.

If you are looking for a BritRail Pass where the BritRail Youth Discount can be applied then please select from the following passes: BritRail FlexiPass, BritRail Consecutive Pass, BritRail England FlexiPass or the BritRail England Consecutive Pass. Youths between the ages of 16 and 25 (inclusive) receive up to a 20% discount!

flslhp  on May 18th, 2009

Questions: 1. if I choose the 2-day option within the 8 days, do I get an extra day, ie, 3 days with the promotion if I book now?
2. must these 3 days be consecutive within the 8-day period?

flslhp

angela  on May 19th, 2009

Hi flslhp

1. The BritRail Free Day Promotion is valid for the following passes: BritRail Consecutive Pass, BritRail Flexipass, BritRail England Consecutive Pass, BritRail England Flexipass and the BritRail Freedom of Scotland Travelpass. Therefore you will not get an extra day if you book the BritRail London Plus Pass.

2. The BritRail London Plus Pass is a Flexi Pass so the days of travel do not need to be consecutive. You can select your travel days within the validity period. For example, any 2 days within the 8 day validity period.

Traveller  on May 20th, 2009

We(2 seniors) want to travel from Glasgow (June 27) to Dumfries, Dumfries (June 30) to York, York (July 3) to Cambridge for part of the day and onto London. (June 3). then on June 9 from London to Sissinghurst and return on the same day. Additionally we would like to travel to Stonehenge, and Oxford at a minimum. I am unable to figure out what pass would be the best and a cost. Can you help? Thanks

Arista  on May 20th, 2009

Hi, we have a group of 2 adults and 1 7-year old kid. We find that the 7 days out of 15 days London Plus Pass should cover all cities we plan to visit, however the total cost for it is higher than the 8 days England Consecutive Family Pass. How should I choose amoung the 2?

angela  on May 21st, 2009

Hi Traveller

Since you will be taking the train in Scotland and England, the BritRail FlexiPass is best for you, as it allows travel throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

As your itinerary includes around 8 days of train travel that are not consecutive days, the BritRail FlexiPass would be best. You can choose the travel days within the period of validity. Passes are available for 4, 8, or 15 days of travel in 2 months.

With the BritRail FlexiPass, seniors 60 and over receive up to a 15% discount in First Class.

Also if you buy your passes before June 1st, you can take advantage of the extra day promotion.

Traveller  on May 21st, 2009

Thanks Angela for your help with the correct pass. I have a further question. what is the difference between Standard and First Class.

angela  on May 21st, 2009

First Class has larger seats, picture windows, more space both for you and your baggage and is usually less crowded.

On some routes, First Class offers extras including free tea and coffee. Some routes even offer free snacks and newspapers. Certain long haul routes have table or buffet services.

First Class is always at the London end of the platform which eliminates any long walk at the London terminal!

Most commuter routes radiating from the big cities have First Class accommodation. Here the benefit is especially noticeable on trains during busy rush hour. You can count on all principal routes having First Class accommodations but please note that some rural routes offer Standard Class accommodations only. First Class Pass prices do reflect the fact that not all trains have First Class.

angela  on May 25th, 2009

Hi Arista,

As you are traveling with a child, the BritRail London Plus Pass has a discount where children 5-15 pay half the adult fare. The England Consecutive Pass offers a Family Discount where one child (ages 5-15) travels free when accompanying select Adult or Senior BritRail Pass holders.

In this case I would suggest the England Consecutive Pass as this will extend the region you can travel in, and if you book by June 1st, 2009 you can also take advantage of the Free Day Promotion.

Evie  on May 28th, 2009

We (2 adults) will be flying in and out of Heathrow in June. We want to travel by train from London to Bath (June 15), Bath to Moreton-in-Marsh (June 17), Moreton-in-Marsh to Oxford (June 19), Oxford to London (June 19), London to Canterbury and back (June 20) Would the BritRail FlexiPass or the London Plus Pass be the best choice?

angela  on May 29th, 2009

Hi Evie,

All of the stations you will be visiting are found within the BritRail London Plus Pass boundaries. To see all the cities and regions to help you choose your pass you can view the complete map http://www.britrail.com/components/com_planyourtrip/assets/map_en.pdf

As you have planned 5 days of travel you could select the 7 day BritRail London Plus Pass. However, if you plan on buying your passes by June 1st, I would suggest the BritRail England Flexi Pass, where you can select the 4 day validity and benefit from the extra day promotion!

Michael Basler  on May 31st, 2009

We will be in London for 2 weeks. For the 4 day travel pass, are the Airport Express passes valid outside of the 8 day window as we will only begin the 8 day window and using the travel pass on day 3 of our trip but arriving at Heathrow 2 days earlier?

Ontarian  on May 31st, 2009

Hi,
I’ve read the info for the different passes and it’s still not clear to me if we buy the BritRail England Flexi-Pass (vs the London) if this includes the airport express passes.
help please…thanks

angela  on June 1st, 2009

Hi Michael,

The BritRail London Plus Pass includes 2 coupons valid on the Heathrow Express, Stansted Express or Gatwick Express. The coupons have a validity period that matches the pass, therefore they would need to be used within the 8 day validity period.

angela  on June 1st, 2009

Hi Ontarian,

With the BritRail England Flexi Pass you have access to all the trains in England, which includes access to the Airport Express Trains. You are not limited to a certain number of coupons.

With the BritRail London Plus Pass you are given 2 extra coupons valid on the Heathrow Express, Stansted Express or Gatwick Express.

Therefore both passes include Airport Express.

Diana  on June 1st, 2009

We have 4 adults arriving August 6, staying in Colchester until the 8th where we will board a cruise in Harwich. On the 22 we will then go to London Heathrow area where we will travel around London and hopefully Wales doing day trips. We are looking at the flexi party brit rail. Is this our best bet? Is Wales doable in a day from London?

angela  on June 4th, 2009

Hi Diana,

If you check one of BritRail’s newest features – BritRail’s Timetables – you will be able to see the duration of a trip. For example I chose London Paddington to Cardiff Central in Wales and this trip, with no transfers, takes 2 hours. Of course if your destination is farther in Wales then the trip will be longer.

For trips in England and Wales, the BritRail FlexiPass is definitely your best bet. The BritRail Party Discount provides great savings as the 3rd and 4th passenger gets up to 50% off the price. Please note that the party must travel together at all times.

Happy Canadian Family  on June 4th, 2009

We are arriving Heathrow on June 26, 2009 and purchased the Brit Rail London Plus Pass for 3 adults and 1 child for 2 days within 8 days. Our hotel is at Maida Vale in London. Do we get the Heathrow Airport express for free? On June 27, 28, or 29 (2 of these days), we plan to visit Salisbury(Stonehenge), Avebury, and Bath on one day, and Oxford, Cambridge and possibly Stratford upon avon on another. Can we do all these in 2 days. At which station do we take the Brit Rail and will the time schedule permit us to do all these trips. If the schedule is too tight, Avebury and Stratford upon avon could be skipped. Also, which day is best for travel to avoid crowds, Saturday June 27, Sunday June 28 or Monday June 29. Please also recommend which trips are good for which day of the week.

Thanks for your help.

angela  on June 4th, 2009

The BritRail London Plus Pass includes 2 extra coupons valid on the Heathrow Express, Stansted Express or Gatwick Express.

Please use BritRail’s Timetables to see all your options for train schedules and how best to plan your trip.

As you have many questions, I suggest you speak with someone at BritRail’s call center 1-866-BRITRAIL

Ontarian  on June 14th, 2009

Hi, Ontarian here again..I’m not 100% sure I understand. I’ve purchased the England FlexiPass for four days. Can I use both the Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express in other than the four days or do those express count as part of the four days? If the latter than I’ve not chose the right combination – can I change the pass?
thanks again

angela  on June 15th, 2009

The England FlexiPass allows access to the rail network in England, which includes the Airport Express trains. Therefore you would use your pass to board the Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express which would count as a travel day within the pass’s 4-day validity.

To inquire about changing your pass I suggest you speak with someone at BritRail’s call center 1-866-BRITRAIL

SophiAAA  on June 30th, 2009

We stay with friends 8 miles from Gatwick, however
now we have to fly into Heathrow. Can we use
the express tickets to get to Gatwick? Does the
train run that way or do we have to take a coach?
This is about my 10th pass. Do you ever get one
free after 10? Thanks.

angela  on June 30th, 2009

Hi Sophia,

Thank you for choosing BritRail 10 times!

The purpose of the Airport Express routes is for express travel to central London, therefore Heathrow Express does not go to Gatwick.

As you are landing at Heathrow Airport, you can take the Heathrow Express route to London Paddington train station.

We do not have a loyalty program as yet, where you would get your 10th pass free, but we will take everyone’s feedback into consideration.

For additional info please contact 1-866-BRITRAIL (for North America).

laura alvarez  on July 10th, 2009

I’d like you to give me info about the prices of the London Plus tickets for adults and youths for January 2010. Could these passes be purchased in combination with a BritRail Flexi pass?

Stuart  on August 10th, 2009

Dear Angela,
With the London plus pass is this still true?
‘angela on May 14th, 2009
Yes, the Airport Express coupons are used outside the 2, 4 or 7 days of travel, as the coupons will not use up a day of travel.’
Or have the terms and conditions of use now changed?

Thanks

Stuart

angela  on August 11th, 2009

Hi Stuart,

For the BritRail London Plus Pass, the Airport Express coupons can be used outside the 2, 4 or 7 days of travel, as the coupons will not use up a day of travel.

However, the coupons need to be used within the validity period of the pass so within 8 days if you have the 2 or 4 day pass, and within 15 days is you have the 7 day pass.

stuart  on August 11th, 2009

Dear Angela,
Thanks very much for your quick and informative response!

Stuart

Jim  on December 11th, 2009

We are planning a trip to visit London to include several day trips into the countryside. We were thinking about purchasing the London Plus Pass, but were wondering if this pass would allow us to travel to Warwick Castle? Thanks in advance for your assistance. Jim

angela  on December 14th, 2009

Hi Jim,

Yes, the London Plus Pass extends to Coventry, so it includes Warwick station, which can be found north of Stratford Upon Avon and south of Leamington Spa and Coventry.

Barbara  on January 9th, 2010

We want to travel from Dover (port) to London (near Knightbridge) and then from London to Southhanpton (port). What is the best option for us? Would we be taking a cab from the port, train stations, and hotel?

angela  on January 14th, 2010

The BritRail London Plus Pass includes Dover and Southampton so you can select the validity 2 days within 8 days.

Train stations are city central so hotels and such are often nearby. In regards to getting from Southampton Central train station to Southampton port this website outlines that a local taxi or bus takes only about 5-10 minutes:
http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/site/faqs

Dover Priory train station is also close to the port, I have even read people walk it in about 20 minutes.

david.bolton  on February 21st, 2010

I want LondonPlus passes for two seniors (ages 75 and 66)for 26th and 27th September 2010, but I can’t find a price anywhere!

angela  on February 22nd, 2010

Hi David,

There are two ways to see prices:

1) on the home page, in the top left “Book your Pass” box enter 2 next to seniors and click “Get your Pass”

2)on the home page, top menu “Passes” click London Plus Pass, then click “Get your Pass”, enter your travel info on the “Shopping tab” and click “Find Products”. The results will show prices.

Hope this helps!
For additional info please contact 1-866-BRITRAIL (for North America).

Leat  on April 27th, 2010

What is the difference between the flexi pass and the london visitor pass?

angela  on April 28th, 2010

BritRail’s Flexi Pass allows travel on UK’s national rail network, while the London Visitor Travel Card provides travel on the London Underground and Bus network.

carol varnadore  on May 1st, 2010

We purchased the 7/15 london plus pass with free airport express coupons…we don’t want to use coupons upon arrival since we will be flying in and out of heathrow later in the week and time is important since our flight leaves at 7:25 a.m and we return around 22:00. With our pass is there a train from heathrow to central london without additional cost to us.

angela  on May 3rd, 2010

Hi Carol,

Unfortunately the only train from Heathrow Airport to London is the Heathrow Express which is the most convenient transportation to London.

Suzanne  on June 16th, 2010

Hello~

We will be travelling from Heathrow/London to Canterbury, where we’ll be based for a week in July. We plan to take a day trip or two back in to London and would like to use the fastest mode possible. The relatively new high-speed trains between London and Ashford, which seems near Canterbury, are attractive. Do BritRail passes (in our case the London Plus) indeed work on ALL trains, including the high-speed trains?

Can you also please address the benefits of a BritRail London Plus pass over a Network Rail pass?

Thanks.

angela  on June 17th, 2010

Hi Suzanne,

The BritRail London Plus Pass is valid for all rail travel in the designated London Plus area (London to Canterbury included). The only exceptions would be steam trains or other privately owned “ride” trains.

Unfortunately we are not familiar with a Network Rail pass.