BritRail Rail Pass Guide | 2010 Pass Basics

Whether your getaway calls for the fast-paced everyday travel of a BritRail Consecutive Pass... or a more laid-back BritRail Flexipass tour over non-consecutive days... Free Day Away makes your BritRail Pass a better value than ever. Destinations are up to you. Explore all of Britain, including Scotland and Wales, with the classic BritRail Pass -- or give your holiday an English accent with a BritRail England Pass.

Getting your BritRail Free Day Away is easy. Just purchase your BritRail Pass (consecutive or flexi) or BritRail England Pass (consecutive or flexi) no later than 29 April 2010. Eligible choices include First Class and Second Class standard Adult Passes (26+ years), discounted Child Passes (5 to 15 years), discounted Youth Passes (16 to 25 years), and discounted Party Passes (3 to 9 travelers). Discounted First Class Senior Passes (60+ years) are also eligible. BritRail Passes must be used within 6 months of date of purchase.

BritRail rail passes are available in two formats offering consecutive days of travel or flexible travel days.

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Consecutive-day rail passes appeal to vagabond spirits and fast-paced travelers who want to see it all. Consecutive passes, valid from four days to one month, permit non-stop travel for the duration of the pass (ie: a 15-day pass is valid for 15 consecutive days of travel).

Flexi -- as in "flexible" -- passes offer a practical and thrifty alternative.

Flexi passes are designed for itineraries entailing fewer travel days with longer stays at individual destinations. Flexi passes permit a limited number of travel days over an extended period: generally, from four to 15 travel days within a one-month period.

BritRail rail passes are generally available for both First Class train travel and Standard (2nd Class) travel. BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass and London Travel Card are available for Standard Class travel only. All youth passes are for Standard Class travel.

Special passes are available at discounts. Party passes cut expenses for group travel by train. Youth Passes are a great deal for student rail travel. Likewise, older travelers can buy discount passes for senior train travel. Children under 16 years of age are eligible for significant discounts or free travel when accompanied by an adult. Kids, under age 5, generally travel at no charge.

For limited or unique itineraries, regular city-to-city (one-way or round-trip) tickets can be most economical. In some instances a combination of pass and ticket travel may be preferable (for instance, when combining a Scotltish Freedom Pass with a trip to London). Many BritRail passes entitle the holder to discounts on Eurostar high-speed service to Brussels, Paris and Disneyland.

BritRail passes must be obtained in the purchaser's country of residence as they are unavailable in the UK. Seat reservations are free but not required. Reservations are recommended at peak times and during holiday travel periods. A passport must be presented to rail staff whenever a rail pass is used. Other restrictions and fees may apply.

Bicycling is an ideal complement to British rail travel. Bikes may be transported free of charge on all trains. Conditions vary and peak hour restrictions apply in some instances. Reservations requirements vary widely. Before traveling, cyclists should contact individual railways for specific details. Alternatively, bicycles are available for rent at or near many train stations.