How to Use a BritRail Pass
If you plan on traveling extensively by train in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, you may want to purchase a BritRail Pass. There are over a dozen different types of passes you can buy including single country passes, first class passes and passes that include transfers to airports in the region. It's best to purchase your pass online before you begin your trip (see "Resources" below). Then all you have to worry about during your travels is using your BritRail Pass, which is very easy to do.
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Instructions
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Go to any train station once you arrive in the U.K. and have your BritRail pass validated. Just bring it to any ticket window and have an official stamp it in the designated area. If there is no official available and you have to leave to catch your train, you can travel on an unvalidated pass for a short period of time.
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Write the day and month followed by the year of your first date of travel in ink.
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Get on the train and wait for the conductor to come around to your seat or compartment to check your ticket. When asked, present both your BritRail pass and your passport. The names on both must match exactly. The conductor will sign, stamp or punch a hole in your pass to show that you used it.
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Continue to use your BritRail Pass in this fashion until midnight of the last day it is valid. Make sure to write the correct date on your pass for each day you use it. This makes the conductor's job easier and can keep your trip running smoothly.
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Tips & Warnings
For the most part, you will not have to purchase individual train tickets, if you're using the BritRail Pass. However, you may want to buy upgrades, such as sleeping cabins or ferry tickets not included with your package. In these cases, you should present both the pass and the upgrade ticket to the conductor. If you are taking an overnight train trip that begins after 7 p.m., write the following day's date on your pass. This is only necessary if you intend to stay on the train past midnight without getting off. This will save you some days if you have a Flexipass. Your pass will come with maps and a train schedule you can use to plan your travels.
BritRail passes are only good in the U.K. or the Republic of Ireland. If you plan on traveling around Europe, you will need to purchase a EurRail Pass.
