Britain (the United Kingdom) is a land rich in history and visited quite often by many from around the world. And Britain, just like other European countries, has an extremely efficient and modern rail system that is just perfect for visitors to board and ride. It is the perfect way to see Wales, Scotland, and England conveniently and affordably. But the Eurail passes are not recognized in Great Britain. You will be using BritRail or other British Railway passes here.
BritRail is a rail service operated jointly by Britain Express and RailEurope. This service has a few attractive pass options to consider when you desire to see Britain by rail:
* BritRail Classic Pass -This rail pass is like most classic rail passes in other countries in that it is bought under the consecutive day rule. Consecutive days means that for whatever day increment you buy you pass for, you have to use the days in order or lose that day (a use or lose policy). With this pass you can buy 8, 15, or 22 days of unlimited travel to be used in a one-month period. You can choose first or second class with this pass. Also, this pass offers express rail service between London’s Heathrow Airport and Paddington Station (and usage of this offer will require 1 travel day used on your pass).
* BritRail Classic Pass Youth - This pass has many of the same characteristics of the BritRail Classic Pass but it is for youth below the age of 26 years and only second class travel is offered.
* BritRail Classic Pass Senior - You get the same features as with the Classic Pass but it is for those age 60 and older and at a reduced rate.
* BritRail FlexiPass - What is nice about the FlexiPass passes is that you can buy it in varied travel day increments but do not have to use those days consecutively. They just have to be used within the validity period (in this case two months). You can buy 4, 8, or 15 travel days that can be used within a period of two months.
* BritRail Youth FlexiPass -This is just like the BritRail FlexiPass but for youth under the age of 26.
There are other rail passes too. These are the Range and Rover passes that are usually sold by other rail companies in Great Britain (and there are many). Let’s look at a few:
* Cambrian Coaster Day Ranger - this train is operated in the area of Aberystwyth, Machlynlleth and Pwllheli. It is valid for 1 day and run by the Welsh train company Arriva Trains.
* Central Scotland Rover - this pass is good for 3 days in a 7-day period. It is honored on ScotRail trains in Central Scotland. The region it is valid in covers the areas of Bathgate, Dunblane, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, North Berwick and Markinch and the stations in between. It is also honored on the SPT Glasgow subway.
* Coast and Peaks Rover - this train has a flexi pass and a consecutive rail pass. The flexi pass is good for 3 travel days within 7 days. The consecutive pass is for 7 days. It is run by Arriva Trains Northern, Arriva Trains Wales, Central Trains, First North Western, Mersevrail, and Virgin Trains. It is valid for travel in North Wales and North West England in the region bordered by Liverpool.
* Cornish Rover - this pass is a flexi pass allowing train travel in Cornwall. The trains included are between Plymouth, Penzance, and branch routes to Falmouth, Looe, Newquay and St Ives. It is run by Arriva Trains Wales, First Great Western, Virgin Trains, and Wessex Trains. The pass has 3 travel days to be used in a 7-day period or 8 travel days within a 15-day period.
And there are many more rail passes run by private companies. Great Britain has a vast network of rails all within its borders. You can see anything you want to see with the convenience of rail travel.