Britrail pass?

[Firetacoma]

Thanks phil!

That's just the sort of insider information that I was looking for!

I should have mentioned that we plan to fill in with buses if we end up going the no rental route. I've been to Chirnside once before actually... but only for a couple of hours (the extent of my time ever in Scotland).

[McClef]

[QUOTE=Firetacoma;689211The wrong side of the road thing scares me a tad...[/QUOTE]

It is the correct side of the road actually!

It should only be scary if you insisted upon continuing to drive on the right over here!

I am a little behind with the latest information but I used to work for National Rail Enquiries here in the UK.

If you decide to go for the pass please remember that it cannot be bought once over here and must be obtained before departure for the UK.

Full information can be found at http://www.britrail.com/ .

[Firetacoma]

If I drive, I'll give in and drive on the conventional side... reluctantly.

Looking at the fares on the britrail site, they seem quite a bit higher for the same trips than the national rail enquiries site... any reason why that may be?

[Phil]

If I drive, I'll give in and drive on the conventional side... reluctantly.

Looking at the fares on the britrail site, they seem quite a bit higher for the same trips than the national rail enquiries site... any reason why that may be?

Rail fares in Britain are a totally incomprehensible subject and I am sure even McClef who used to work in that field (by his own admission) will be totally bamboozled by their complexity. This website will give you some clues - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tra...-train-tickets - but I have found that buying a ticket one-way is cheaper than a round-trip for instance.

[McClef]

Fares are supposed to be less complex than they used to be and there are supposed to be fewer ticket choices.

The system is based upon peak and off peak journeys which explains why fares can appear different and also as to whether one books in advance which requires committing to a particular train whereas other tickets allow more flexibility.

The Britrail passes allow one to travel on peak as well as off peak services so their price means that they should be contrasted with the cost of peak journeys if the tickets were bought separately.

The Anytime fare from London to Inverness for example is £159.50 single but travelling on the 12.00 direct service you are off peak at £124.00 and booked in advance could be obtained for £62.50.

These days quite frankly it can be cheaper to fly!