Nitab

We will have a Brit Rail Pass; can we go from Gatwick Airport without going into London to get to Bath? Looks like on the map we should be able to, but the Journey Planner is showing that we HAVE to travel to London and then return to Bath.

Dukey1

Not if you ditch that pass and go by bus:

http://www.nationalexpress.com/where...l-to-bath.aspx

janisj

I have no idea what your itinerary is - but seldom does a BritRail pass save you much money. But - you don't have to take a coach (though it is an option)

If you look at your other thread - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...g-521253-2.cfm

The same route will get you to Bath . . . Just change trains at Reading . . .

Man_in_seat_61

D'oh! Of course you can!!

An hourly train links Gatwick Airport station with Reading, from where half-hourly trains run to Bath.

Just use www.nationalrail.co.uk and look for the hourly departures (usually at xx.03) with 1 change, at Reading.

Nitab

Thank you everyone. Janis, I stay for three weeks, and use a Brit Rail pass for day trips almost everyday of those three weeks. I've done the math -- a Brit Rail pass saves me a bundle.

Man in seat 61 (love that name), I'm very grateful for the information.

janisj

>>Man in seat 61 (love that name), I'm very grateful for the information.<<

Did you read the posts on your other thread - the info you needed was previously posted there

Ricardo_215

Also, you can use www.nationalrail.co.uk, select your journey departure & arrival stations, hit "Go". Then go to journey details, advanced search, then avoid (for example) Paddington. Or Travel via (for example) Hove, say. Then click Update train times. A longer journey, but you might enjoy the variety of scenery, & you seem to enjoy rail travel, and if you have a rail pass it's not going to cost any extra.

PalenQ

I have no idea what your itinerary is - but seldom does a BritRail pass save you much money.>

such blanket statements IMO make litle sense as there are many factors in the efficacy of a BritRail Pass (from one who has used dozens and dozens of them and always found they were a boon for what I wanted to do.

Factors include whether or not you want flexibility to hop any train anytime - like getting to Reading from Gatwick and then just hopping the next train to Bath - such fully flexible full fare tickets can cost a ton and when landing you never know exactly what train at Reading you can catch (figuring the advice is to book discounted tickets Reading to Bath that are train specific and I think non-changeable non refundable.

So if flexibility is wanted and you are taking several longish train rides the BritRail Pass can indeed by a boon.

OTOH if you want to forgo flexibility and pre-book the discounted set in stone tickets weeks in advance to get the cheapest rates then that could be cheaper yes but you forego flexibility.

I don't know but I like to just roll out of bed head to the station and hop the next of the very frequent trains lacing Britain.

And if wanting to go first class then the BritRail Pass can be a real boon and IME of decades of British trains with a first-class pass I highly encourage folks to on the trip of a lifetime go first class - always IME lots of empty seats and much bigger seats- complimentary beverages and snacks on many lines - Standard or 2nd class is usually chock full and the seats much smaller - the difference between classes on British trains and Continental trains is much greater IME.

So a BritRail Pass can well be a good deal depending on what you wish - first class, flexibility and of course enough train travel.

so IMO ignore blanket statements that a BritRail Pass is rarely a good deal.

And if you have more than two folks traveling together on one pass then the Party Plan give the 3rd thru 9th passengers 50% off of what the first two pay - another scenario that factors in.

and if you have kids under 16 they get a free pass to match the adults' pass.

so yes investigate the BritRail Pass and do not be led to dismiss it out of hand. And this is not to say that some folks automatically gravitate to the pass when their plans are not sufficient to warrant it.

But do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

For lots of good objective info on British trains and passes check out not only Man in Seat 61 who posts above his commercial site - www.seat61.com (if ordering a pass you can use his commercial link to RailEurope and give the Man a well deserved IMO commission) and www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

do check prices at www.nationalrail.co.uk - see how much full fare tickets just Gatwick to Bath cost - and keep in mind getting off the plane and heading right out you would like to reach Reading at any time and hop a train - pre-booked discount tickets that are train-specific cause a lot of planning and hoping planes are on time, etc.