Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 6/27/2008

Question
My family will be in UK this summer for a trip (you have already helped once before on this trip), We have 3 days in London (which you helped us cover- w/kids), then 3 days in Scotland at the games in Taynuilt, then 3 days to meander back to London.  I have purchased us two Family BritRail passes for the time we are here.  My question is... maybe a little too late... do these passes cover all the trains around the UK no matter who the service provider is?  I see some are ScotRail lines and some are Virgin lines, etc on the timetables.  Do these passes allow you to get on any of these trains?  Also.  I got the 2nd class tickets on the advice of the customer service rep, but I was wondering if we needed to make reservations or are the trains fairly available without worry?  And... Can you make reservations if you already have a pass?  These may seem like silly questions, but we don't have anything like train travel around here and I am completely unfamiliar with it.  Thank you so much!

Answer
There's no such thing as a silly question, promise - and I'm delighted that I have been able to help!

The railways in the UK are privately owned by a variety of companies.

This means that your pass is valid on them all (the only exceptions are some very tiny steam hauled train lines)- though I must admit that I'm surprised that your agent recommended standard class (we don't call it 2nd class anymore, just standard and first).

The difference in cost is minimal, and the seats / ambience are better - and there's free meals / snacks / drinks on many of the longer distance routes, especially Monday to Friday.

Perhaps more importantly, for the time of year you are travelling, seat reservations in standard class are essential on the longer distance trains - you may not be allowed on the train without them - or you may have to stand for many hours. There are less people travelling midweek at that time of year, but weekends are very busy.

Additionally, there is a lot of work being undertaken at weekends, which is delaying some services.

Have you looked at the train times / routes you are planning to take, please? If not, do let me know and I'll do all I can to suggest train times / scenic routes to you.

You can book the seats when you get here - I'll advise you how to do this - or your agent should do them for you. If they say that is unnecessary, please explain that they are wrong!

Happy to help!

Alun Hill MCIJ
Editor: http://IsLondonExpensive.com