BritRail

BRITRAIL

When should I buy a point to point ticket?
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!

What are the benefits of First Class travel?
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 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!

Is it necessary to buy BritRail passes before arriving in the UK?
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.

What is the difference between a Consecutive Pass and a Flexipass?
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 travellers whose time is restricted and will be ‘on the move’
A BritRail FlexiPass is ideal for those travellers who wish to linger several days or more in one location

What are the eligible ages for child, youth and senior discounts?
Children: 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.
Youth: Youth discounts are available to youths between the ages of 16 and 25 (inclusive).
Senior: Senior Discount is available to seniors 60 years and older.

How do I validate my BritRail Pass?
Passes are issued open dated and must be validated within six months from the date of issue and prior to the first day of 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. 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.

Under no circumstances is the pass holder allowed to validate his or her own pass.

How is a travel day calculated?
A travel day is a 24hr period from midnight to midnight, during which time you can travel on as many trains as you wish.

Is my BritRail Pass valid on all trains operating in the UK?
The BritRail train network is made up of many private rail companies and many major train companies are covered by your rail pass. Selected passes will also allow travel on the airport links to/from Heathrow or Gatwick. Travel on the London Underground or Tube services is not permitted.

Is there a pass that does include travel in the London Underground?
Yes, an Oyster Card or a London Travel Card is valid for travel on the Underground, Dockland rail services and buses.

Are there airport transfers to train stations in London?
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!
Heathrow Express travels 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.
Gatwick Express travels non-stop between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria Station. Trains leave every 15 minutes from Gatwick Airport and the journey takes 30 minutes.
Stansted Express travels non-stop between Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street station in 42 minutes.

In which cases are seat reservations advisable?
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 around AUD21 per person per train. 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. Reservations are also advisable during 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.
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'.

How much are seat reservations?
Seat reservations cost approximately AUD21 per person per train.

How far in advance can a seat reservation be made?
Seat reservations can generally be made 6-8 weeks prior the train departure date.

If I take an overnight train, do I have to use 2 days on my pass?
If you board a direct overnight train that departs after 7:00 p.m., then you use only 1 day on your pass. However, there are some national and regional passes where the 7pm rule does not applies. If your overnight train requires a train change before midnight, then you will use 2 travel days.

Is rail travel accommodating to disabled passengers?
The Railways of Britain welcome disabled passengers 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). Advance notice of 24 hours will be very helpful in arranging the proper assistance.

What can be expected in terms of the luggage facilities on board the trains?
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.

Can I bring my bike on the train?
As a general rule bicycles must be boxed and placed in a separate car and is some cases it may be transported on a separate train. Additional charges may apply and it is recommended that you arrange this in advance.

Can I request a specific seat?
No. due to reservations system restrictions, specific seat requests can not be accommodated.

Is it possible to be booked to sit with my friends who already have seats on a train?
No it isn't. To guarantee this it is necessary to book all the seats at the same time. We can request to book the closest seats to the ones your friends have. This sometimes means you are seated next to them.

What type of facilities can I find at a Train Station?
Most stations are located conveniently in the heart of the city offering easy access to hotels and sightseeing as well as a range of services including restaurants, gift shops, foreign exchange, telephones, post offices, book stores, reservations and information.

Are lockers and luggage storage available at all major train stations?
Most major train stations have lockers or luggage storage for a nominal charge.

Why can't you book certain trains?
There can be a number of reasons why it is not possible to book some trains:
• Many of the high speed train services are not available for reservations until 30-180 days prior to departure
• System issues may hinder our ability to access and confirm trains.
• There are some train services/networks which do not allow international reservations.
• Some European rail companies are slow to load the train details into the reservation system, this means that impossible to confirm a train.
If this happens the only way to book a train is to do it locally in the country concerned

Can I get off the train for a few hours, and then get back on later that day if I'm holding a point-to-point ticket?
Yes, you may get on and off at as many stops as you wish, as long as you continue proceeding toward your final destination along the same route. You have 2 months to complete the journey from the first use of your ticket.

Do any services in the UK have sleepers?
There are five sleeper routes which link London Euston with most principal business and holiday locations in Scotland. Direct Sleeper services also link Southwest England with London Paddington.
Customers joining at the starting point of the train may occupy cabins well before departure. At terminating stations customers may vacate cabins up to approximately 0800 on trains which arrive at an earlier time.
Sleeper services operate nightly Sunday to Friday; there is no sleeper service on a Saturday night.

What facilities are available in the sleepers?
Sleepers have full air-conditioning and temperature control. Each cabin has wall-to-wall carpet, mirror, shaver sockets, drinking water as well as hot water for the washbasin, and a comfortable bed. A steward service is available at the touch of a button throughout the journey.

Are meals included with sleeper accommodation?
Yes, in the morning, pre-arranged morning calls will be given with complimentary morning newspaper, orange juice, croissant, preserve and tea or coffee in single berth cabins, or tea or coffee and biscuits in 2 berth cabins.

On First ScotRail's Caledonian Sleepers there is a complimentary breakfast of orange juice, cereal, croissant, preserve, muesli bar and tea or coffee for customers travelling in single berth cabins. In two-berth cabins breakfast consists of croissant, preserve, tea, coffee or orange juice.

Are there any Sleeper Supplements?
Holders of First Class tickets enjoy a single berth cabin on payment of the First Class reservation supplement. There are specific packages available which include the Sleeper berth supplement. Holders of all Standard travel tickets travel in a 2 berth cabin on payment of the standard supplement. The number of berths available to holders of discounted tickets may be restricted at any time.

What is offered in Lounge Cars?
The Lounge Car offers a pleasant relaxing atmosphere in which to unwind before a night's rest. A full range of drinks, snacks and meals are available. Hot and continental breakfasts are served in the morning. At busy times, use of the Lounge Car may be restricted to First Class ticket holders

Are dining cars available on all trains in the UK?
There are no dining cars are available on trains in the UK.