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Explore Britain’s Hidden Gems with a BritRail Pass

Some of the world’s most iconic and unique railway journeys can be found in Britain, setting off from  vibrant cities, travelling past majestic peaks and cruising along the coast. Travelling by train is a great way to get around Britain more sustainably while relaxing and taking in the breathtaking scenery.  Find the ideal BritRail Passes for your next trip from the VisitBritain Shop and enjoy  journeys across the entire National Rail network. The mobile pass ensures flexible travel offering great value for money for your unforgettable adventure. Check out our thrilling rail itinerary ideas and explore the best of Britain’s nations and regions all year round.

Highlights of Scotland and the Lake District

• Route: London – Edinburgh – Fort William – Isle of Skye – Inverness – Glasgow – Windermere
• Ticket: BritRail GB M-Pass or BritRail Euro GB M-Pass (for European residents)

For vibrant cities, castles, lochs, highlands and coastlines, take the  Caledonian Sleeper  from London to Edinburgh and wake up in Scotland’s capital in the morning (cost of a berth or seat reservation is not included in the BritRail Pass and must be purchased in advance) . From visiting the National Museum of Scotland to a Cheese Crawl , Edinburgh offers something for everyone. 

Head north to  Fort William , a waterside town which is at the foot of the Nevis Range, home to Britain’s highest peak Ben Nevis. The town is a great base for adventure travel with an abundance of outdoor activities offered, from paddleboarding to playing golf at Fort William Golf Club with stunning views.

The West Highland Line , renowned as one of the most stunning rail stretches in the world, crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct as seen in the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express scenes - a must visit when in the area. From the final stop at Mallaig, the  Isle of Skye   ferry accesses the island’s magical landscape. Give sea kayaking a try or go on a dramatic hike to the Point of Sleat Lighthouse .

Back on the mainland take a train to  Inverness , the gateway to  Loch Ness . Make sure to pay Inverness Castle a visit or go on a thrilling Loch Ness speed boat tour .

Head South to Glasgow , a hotbed of art and culture with street art trails spanning across the city. Follow the City Centre Mural Trail or head to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens .

From Glasgow, take the train into the heart of the Lake District to  Windermere . Explore the area on water by renting a motor boat or on land by following one of the many hiking routes .

Wales Culture and Castles along the coast

• Route: Cardiff - Aberystwyth - Harlech - Chester

Immerse in castles, culture and the coastline by taking a trip across Wales. Starting in the vibrant city of   Cardiff . Learn about Cardiff’s history in the heart of the city centre at Cardiff Castle or check out the new SCALE experience at the Principality Stadium. Climb up to the roof of the stadium with the option to zip wire or abseil at the end. 

From Cardiff, take a train to  Aberystwyth  to enjoy a seaside break. Take a stroll through the lively town centre and along the Victorian promenade or watch the sunset from Constitution Hill .

From there continue your journey through Eryri (Snowdonia) ,  Wales’s largest National Park all the way to the picturesque coastal town Harlech in North Wales .  Visit Harlech Castle  perched at the top of the hill or find unique souvenirs in one of the many independent shops along Harlech’s high street.

End the trip in the vibrant city of  Chester  for some great shopping, iconic architecture and roman heritage.

Cornwall Coasts, Eden Project and Maritime City

• Route: London - St Ives - Falmouth - St Austell - Newquay - Plymouth
• Ticket: BritRail South West M-Pass

Take a trip out to the Wild West of England on the  Night Riviera  sleeper train from London to stunning  St Ives  to arrive in the early morning (cost of a berth or seat reservation is not included in the BritRail Pass and must be purchased in advance) . Explore St Ives’ variety of beaches within walking distance, try a traditional Cornish pasty at St Ives Bakery and find a combination of inspiring art and breath-taking scenery at the Tate St Ives .

Head East to Falmouth , via the quintessential market town of  Truro  and experience the rolling fields of Cornish countryside. Falmouth is a bustling harbour town with much to see and do. Make sure to visit Pendennis Castle and the award winning Falmouth Art Gallery or give one of the many water sports activities offered a go.

Take the train further north to the old market town St Austell . Make sure to pay the family-run St Austell Brewery a visit for a truly Cornish experience. If you have the time, hop on a bus and visit the nearby  Eden Project , a must-see attraction which is home to plants from all over the world.

The next stop is  Newquay   on the north Atlantic coast which is known as the surfer’s mecca. Take a surf lesson with St Ives Surf School on Fistral beach or explore the rugged Cornish coastline on a Sea Safari .

And finally,  Plymouth   marks the journey’s end with an iconic lighthouse and plenty of options for award-winning food and drink. Book a session with Social Paddle Board to explore the city’s coastline differently.

City Cultural Tour

• Route: London - Brighton - Bristol - Manchester – Liverpool – Leeds
• Ticket: BritRail England M-Pass

Take in some of the highlights of Britain’s cities travelling by train. Start in London and take the train South to  Brighton . The seaside resort offers an abundance of fun experiences such as Brighton i360 , The Royal Pavilion or The Upside Down House .

Travel to  Bristol and follow the footsteps of Banksy on a street art walking tour . If you ar e looking for a unique immersive experience, you must visit the amazement park Wake the Tiger which expanded earlier this year.

Your next stop is  Manchester , a northern powerhouse packed with cultural hotspots and famous for its football and music scenes. Explore the National Football Museum , join a themed tour with Manchester Taxi Tours or purchase tickets for a concert at the innovative Co-Op Live Arena opening in April 2024.

Liverpool  is under an hour by train from Manchester and home to a wide variety of museums and attractions. Head to the British Music Experience to test your knowledge on the Spice Girls for their 30 th anniversary, visit the birthplace of the Beatles at The Cavern Club , and take a tour of the Royal Liver Building which was used as a filming location in The Batman .

Finally, pay  Leeds a visit and discover what makes it such a hidden gem of a city starting with the North capital’s foodie scene. Eat your way around the city with Leeds Food Tours or follow their Street Art Trail to explore the city.

Notes to editors:

• VisitBritain wants to encourage visitors to explore more of Britain and the wonderful attractions and experiences on offer, boosting businesses and local economies. Its research shows that the more areas a visitor stayed in while in the UK, the more likely they are to have travelled by train.
• We know how important the journey is to the overall travel experience including on perceptions of our welcome, influencing destination choice and repeat visits. And more than two thirds of international visitors we surveyed also said they were thinking more about sustainability and the environmental impact when planning their trips.

VisitBritain Partnerships Director Louise Bryce said:

“ We are thrilled to announce the global launch of our BritRail Pass range on the VisitBritain Shop, offering travellers a fantastic opportunity to explore Britain's landscapes and cultural heritage.

“The BritRail Pass also promotes environmentally friendly travel, aligning with our sustainability goals, and by encouraging international visitors to explore beyond London, it offers the chance to explore lesser-known parts of Britain, with some stunning scenery along the way. The ease and convenience of rail travel to access our outstanding attractions and local businesses, and in a relaxing way, also broadens travel itineraries, encouraging visitors to discover more and stay longer. We're excited to make this iconic travel experience easily accessible to visitors worldwide.”

Chief Executive Officer for Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Jacqueline Starr:

“Britain has an incredible railway that makes it possible to travel the length and breadth of the country by train. Nothing beats seeing world-renowned British landmarks in person and travelling by rail is the most convenient and sustainable way to do it. That’s why we’ve worked with Visit Britain to bring back this very popular BritRail Pass which is a fantastic way for holidaymakers to go green, see the country and support local British businesses.”

VP of Sales for ACP Rail International Tim Roebuck said:

 " ACP Rail International has been the leader in global sales of the BritRail Pass for over 20 years. We are pleased that Visit Britain is again able to help spread the news about this great, sustainable travel offer.  An offer specifically available only to overseas visitors to Britain. The BritRail Pass offers travel on all of the fast and frequent services between over 2500 stations across England, Wales and Scotland and is simple and easy to use ".   

Ask us about our special discounted rates for Travel trade! For more information, get in touch with [email protected] . All  BritRail M- Passes are available to book on the VisitBritain Shop website.

Supporting assets can be found here on the  VisitBritain image library .  Please register to get access. Once registered  accompanying images can be found  here.

For further information contact the Visit Britain press team at  [email protected]

For more information contact:

VisitBritain Media Team

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    BritRail England Pass

Pass Description: The BritRail England Pass gives you the ability to travel around all of England by train.

Depending on what you want to explore England has a lot to offer, from the historic towns of Salisbury, Stratford-Upon-Avon and York to  scenic national parks such as the Lake district and Peak District.

With flexible and consecutive durations and different classes to choose from, where will your BritRail England Pass take you?

Class of travel : First (1st) and Standard (2nd) class passes available

Discounts : Child, Youth and Senior (plus any seasonal promotional offers)

Flexible – 3 Day, 4 Day, 8 Day, 15 Day (within 1 month)

Consecutive – 3 Day, 4 Day, 8 Day, 15 Day, 22 Days, 1 Month

Boundaries : Carlisle, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Lydney, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Hereford, Bucknell, Shrewsbury, Chirk, Crewe, Chester, West Kirby.

Exclusions :   BritRail Passes are valid for travel on all National Rail services. However, some exclusions do apply:

BritRail England Passes are not valid on Eurostar services, Tyne and Wear Metro, Manchester Metro Link, road links between airport and railway stations, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Tram links, privately owned railways, steam services, London Underground trains and buses, boats, hovercraft, nor any other services that are not run by National Rail.

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Great Britain by Rail

BritRail Pass guide: what it is, where you can use it, and where you can buy it

July 29, 2023

Jonathan Holmes

This blog is monetised via affiliate links at no additional cost to the user.

For travelers looking to explore the breadth of Great Britain by train, a BritRail Pass offers the most flexible and affordable option. BritRail Passes provide unlimited train travel on the UK National Rail network for a fixed number of travel days within a set period.

This in-depth guide will cover everything you need to know about BritRail Passes. We’ll outline the types of passes, pricing, how to buy and use the passes, tips for maximizing your rail journey, and popular rail routes you can experience with a BritRail Pass. With the ability to customize your own UK itinerary, a BritRail Pass lets you travel door-to-door across England, Scotland and Wales with ease.

Table of Contents

BritRail Pass Overview and Benefits

BritRail Passes allow unlimited travel for your choice of consecutive or non-consecutive days on all National Rail services across Great Britain over a set validity period. Some key benefits include:

• Flexibility to travel when and where you want
• Use on high-speed intercity and local/commuter trains
• Reserved seat options available
• Discounted rate for rail travel in Britain
• Simple way for visitors to pay for train travel
• Valid on Transport for London services
• Easy to customize your rail itinerary

With a BritRail Pass, you have the flexibility to hop on and off trains as needed without purchasing individual tickets. It provides an budget-friendly way to cover lots of ground across Britain with hassle-free train travel.

BritRail Pass Types and Pricing

BritRail offers several main types of passes priced based on the number of days of use:

• England Pass: Covers rail travel in England only
• Scotland Pass: Covers rail travel in Scotland only
• Wales Pass: Covers rail travel in Wales only
• GB Pass: Covers all of Great Britain
• BritRail & Ireland Pass: Includes both GB and Ireland

Passes are available for durations between 3-15 travel days used over 1 month, with discounts for youth travelers. Prices range from around £129 for a 3-day England Pass to £479 for a 15-day GB Pass. Regional passes offer more affordable options for exploring part of Britain.

How to Purchase Your BritRail Pass

BritRail Passes must be purchased prior to your arrival in Britain through third party sellers like BritRail, ACP Rail, Rail Europe andothers. Passes cannot be obtained in the UK. Be sure to factor in shipping time when ordering.

Online ordering through reputable sellers is recommended for convenience and potential discounts. Physical paper passes are shipped to you, while e-tickets offer instant digital delivery. Know your travel dates so you can pick the ideal pass duration.

Maximizing Your Rail Journey with a BritRail Pass

To make the most of your BritRail Pass, keep these tips in mind:

• Reserve seats on high-speed trains for comfort and guaranteed seats
• Be strategic in selecting your travel days
• Prioritize longer journeys on high-speed intercity routes
• Use non-travel days for sightseeing in one location
• Consider traveling overnight to save pass days
• Download the National Rail Enquiries app for schedules
• Bring your passport as photo ID when using your pass

By mixing high-speed intercity journeys with local routes, you can optimize pass usage to cover lots of ground across Britain in comfort.

Top Rail Routes and Attractions to Experience

A BritRail Pass unlocks the opportunity to enjoy iconic train journeys and top UK destinations through flexible travel. Some classic rail adventures include:

• London to Edinburgh – View scenery along the scenic East Coast route
• London to Cardiff – See coastal towns en route through Southern England
• London to Manchester – Travel via Birmingham and the industrial heartland
• Glasgow to Fort William – Ride the scenic West Highland Line along the bonny banks
• North Wales Coast Line – Coastal and mountain views alongside castles
• Settle to Carlisle Line – See England’s dramatic Yorkshire Dales and Pennines
• Cornish Riviera – Wind along the beaches and harbour towns of Cornwall

With your BritRail Pass in hand, you have the ticket to customize your own UK rail adventure and take in Britain’s most magnificent scenery and destinations.

A BritRail Pass offers unmatched flexibility and value for travelers looking to explore Great Britain by rail. With the ability to customize your perfect UK rail itinerary, BritRail Passes allow you to maximize train travel and discover the country at your own pace.

Whether you want to connect England’s big cities, admire Scotland’s highlands or tour quaint coastal villages, a BritRail Pass has you covered. By unlocking extensive train travel, a BritRail Pass remains one of the best ways for visitors to embrace the journey and see Britain’s iconic landscapes up close.

Jonathan is an Englishman who has travelled via railways in all over Great Britain as well as in other countries worldwide. Despite his enjoyment of travelling around his home island via rail, he wishes that the railway services of Great Britain were up to standard with other countries he has visited.

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BritRail Passes

If you want to travel with the following benefits, then a BritRail Pass is your best fit:

• Discover Britain beyond London
• Hassle free travel with no lines for tickets
• Travel on any train in the UK without having to buy additional tickets
• Travel in peak periods, including mornings, evenings and Fridays
• Flexibility of changing your travel plans as you go
• Hop off at stations en route as you fancy
• Take long journeys, such as from London to Scotland
• Make circular tours or several shorter journeys

After considering the list of benefits it becomes clear that BritRail’s range of passes offers great value and savings. It’s truly the most convenient and economical way to explore Britain where the rail network, with over 19,000 daily train departures, allows access to 2,500 fascinating destinations in England, Scotland and Wales.

If you have a specific journey to make between 2 selected stations, then a point to point ticket is right for you! One of the great features of a point to point ticket is there are no restrictions as to the day, time or train so you have the flexibility to change your itinerary as you please. And the best part is stopovers are allowed en route so you can hop on and off the train as often as you wish in the direction of your destination. The duration of your stopover is unrestricted as well. Stay for a few hours or overnight if you like!

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

BritRail Passes must be bought before you arrive in the UK and are only available to those who do not reside in the United Kingdom, unless sharing a BritRail Guest Pass. Train staff may ask at any time for proof of foreign residency.

A FlexiPass is best for travel on the days of your choice within the period of validity. A consecutive pass is best for travel on days that follow one another. A good rule of thumb when selecting which pass is best for your travel plans is:

• A BritRail Consecutive Pass is ideal for those travelers whose time is restricted and will be ‘on the move’
• A BritRail FlexiPass is ideal for those travelers who wish to linger several days or more in one location.

With the BritRail Family Discount, one child between the ages of 5 and 15 travels for free when accompanying select Adult or Senior BritRail Pass holders on select passes. Additional children get up to 50% off the regular adult fare. Children under 5 years of age travel for free.

With the BritRail Youth Discount youths between the ages of 16 and 25 (inclusive) receive up to 20% off the regular adult fare on select passes.

With the BritRail Senior Discount seniors 60 years and older receive 15% off the regular adult fare on select passes.

BritRail Passes are issued on paper and must be validated within six months from the date of issue and prior to the first use. To validate a rail pass, present it along with your passport to the Railway official at the station of departure. At this time, the first and the last day of validity of the pass as well as the passport number is entered and the passenger must sign the pass. Under no circumstances is the pass holder allowed to validate his or her own pass. In the case of a Flexipass, the passenger must enter the date of travel each day before he/she boards the first train of the day.

The Safeguard Plan protects Pass or ticket holders in the event of trip cancellation or trip interruption.  Please refer to the  Rail Pass Safeguard Plan  for a complete list of conditions and exclusions.

To find train times that are best suited to your journey, begin the booking process for a point to point ticket by selecting the appropriate departing station, along with the date and preferred time. The results will be customized to your request.

Airport Express services include three airport transfers to Central London from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport or Stansted Airport. The best part is your BritRail Pass provides access to these express services (excluding the BritRail Euro London Plus Pass sold to European residents).

On Heathrow Express travel non-stop between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington Station, which is the quickest way from Heathrow Airport to central London! Trains depart every 15 minutes and the journey takes just 15 minutes.

On Gatwick Express travel non-stop between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria Station. Trains leave every 15 minutes from Gatwick Airport and the journey takes 30 minutes.

On Stansted Express travel non-stop between Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street station in 42 minutes.

If you have a BritRail Pass or a point to point ticket, then you can make seat reservations per person, per train for a nominal fee. Although reserving a seat is not required, it is recommended if you want peace of mind and an assured a seat on a specific train. Perhaps you have a plane to catch and don’t want to chance it or you want to travel during rush hour and don’t want to stand among the crowd.

Other cases where seat reservations are advisable include: peak time on long haul trains just before Christmas, around Easter, and Summer Saturdays to the West Country, Friday afternoons out of London in Standard Class, early mornings on weekdays in First Class, and groups taking long journeys.

However if you are not on a tight schedule then there is no need to reserve a seat as trains in Britain run frequently on most of the network and it is therefore perfectly acceptable to ‘turn up and go’. In Britain, frequency is what makes touring so easy!

The Railways of Britain welcome disabled travelling and are committed to making widespread improvements to stations and trains to make travel easier.

Regarding assistance, the Railways of Britain asks persons needing assistance to contact the local station or Train Operating Company (TOC). If you are unsure as to the number of the station or the TOC to contact, please contact National Rail Enquiries when in the UK at 0345 48 49 50. They will be able to give you contact information for the station and particular TOC.

National Express which operates the London to Edinburgh route via York has a special number to call once in the UK for Assisted Travel 08457 225 225.

Advance notice of 24 hours will be very helpful in arranging the proper assistance. If the journey is cancelled please advise the Station.

Crossing London

London Transport operates a special service called Station Link utilizing buses with low access floors, ramps etc. between all the main London Terminals.

For details contact: Unit for Disabled Passengers, London Transport 172 Buckingham Palace Road London, SW1 9TN Tel UK(0) 171 918 3312

On board, train carriages have overhead luggage racks, space between the seats and a storage area in the entrance vestibules for larger items.

All main stations have luggage trolleys often with staff to help you for a nominal charge. British platforms are the same height as the train carriages so weight lifting is not a requirement, however, given the generally older infrastructure of hotels, stations and so on there are still zones where steps will be encountered. Most principal stations have affordable, secure luggage facilities – do use them. If you are travelling from London to Edinburgh and want to spend a few hours in York, en route, for example, just leave your bags at York station Left Luggage Office for the day.