BritRail rail passes

If you want to travel extensively by train throughout Great Britain, then the BritRail pass can be the best value way to travel. These passes are not available to UK residents and you cannot buy them in the UK so it is best to organise this before leaving home (you can order online from us with your pass posted directly to you in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States).

The BritRail pass covers all of Great Britain’s rail network (including virtually all trains in England, Scotland and Wales) and is a cheaper alternative to the All Line Rover (which is a similar pass available to UK residents who are not eligible for a BritRail pass.

It is also a more flexible rail pass to the All Line Rover as it is available in a wider number of passes with consecutive travel for three, four, eight, 15, 22 consecutive days or one month of consecutive travel or as a flexi-pass with three, four, eight or 15 travel days within a one month period. In contrast, the more expensive All Line Rover is only available for seven or 14 consecutive travel days.

Map of the BritRail network (PDF)

There are four main varieties of BritRail passes available: the standard Britrail pass that includes travel throughout Great Britain, the BritRail England pass, the BritRail South West England pass and the BritRail London Plus pass. The BritRail England, BritRail South West England pass and the BritRail London Plus pass are particularly good value if you’re not travelling to Scotland or Wales.

How does the BritRail pass compare with Rover passes?

When compared to Ranger and Rover rail passes that are available to UK residents, the BritRail pass is generally a more convenient option particularly if you’re basing yourself in London or elsewhere in southeast England as most Ranger and Rover passes do not cover travel in and out of London. However Rover passes may be better value if your trip is restricted to a region outside southeast England and your trip does not involve travelling to or from London.

The BritRail pass has the following advantages over most Rover passes:

• Includes travel to and from London (most Rover passes do not include travel to and from London)
• Includes travel in southeast England (most Rover passes do not include travel in southeast England)
• Includes travel on long-distance trains allowing you to cross the UK in a single day (most Rover passes only cover a specific part of the country so long distance travel is only possible when combining several passes).
• Includes travel on airport express trains

Only the All Line Rover pass allows you to travel in southeast England (including to and from London), however the BritRail pass is a better value option as long as you are not a UK resident.

Some travellers find the best value to combine a BritRail England, BritRail South West or BritRail London Plus pass with a regional Rover rail pass, although this is best if you spend the night in a town or city where the coverage areas of both passes meet.

Who is eligible to use this pass?

You can only buy this rail pass if you are NOT a UK resident.

Where can the standard BritRail pass be used?

This pass is good for unlimited rail travel on most trains in England, Scotland and Wales except some heritage railways. This pass includes airport express trains.

What discounts are available?

• A 20% low season discount is available for passes purchased 1 September–15 February for travel November–February
• A 50% group saver discount is available for the third to the ninth passenger travelling together. Please note: all passengers must travel together at all times.
• The BritRail family discount allows one child (aged 5–15) to travel free with an adult (or senior) pass holder. Additional children travelling on the same type of pass are eligible for a 50% discount. Children aged under five travel free.
• Travellers aged 16–25 are eligible for a 20% youth discount
• Travellers aged 60 and older are eligible for a 15% discount off a first class pass.

Please note: you cannot combine multiple discounts (only one discount per pass).

The BritRail pass can be used with the following train operating companies:

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