Leave London and Discover Britain by Train


Money-saving BritRail passes show off the countryside
The Real Deal: Various types of rail passes for multiple short or long journeys throughout the U.K. and Ireland, starting from $69
When: Anytime
Gateways: None
Details: Discounts of 25 percent for youth (under 26) tickets; 50 percent for the third through ninth passenger within a group; 25 percent for off peak travel and others apply for all rail pass combinations
Book By: Prior to arrival in the U.K.
Contact: BritRail, britrail.com
BritRail London Plus Pass starts at $69 for two days of standard class travel and must be used within an eight-day period. It's a great deal if you want to go to more than one city outside of London, as roundtrip fares to Oxford alone start at $24, and $104 for Bath.
Want more? Opt for four days of travel with an eight-day period for $129 or seven days for $169, which must be used within 15 days.
The most popular option is the BritRail England FlexiPass for four ($209), eight ($309) or 15 days ($469) of standard class unlimited travel within two months throughout England to very borders of Scotland and Wales. (A regular round-trip from London to Wales is priced from $136.)
Or, choose the Consecutive Pass, starting from $169 for four days of travel and going up to one month for $539. Other pass combinations, like the BritRail Pass + Ireland, which for $419 not only includes five days of rail travel but also a ferry roundtrip across the Irish Sea. The BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass, from $214 for four days, is also available. A single roundtrip from London to Edinburgh, Scotland, is $210.
Roundtrip fare to London in July and August 2005 starts at $728 (American) from New York and from $946 (Air Canada) from Los Angeles.