Itinerary help, England/Wales
Dec 4th, 2014, 10:24 AM
#22
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Folks 60 and over also get about 25% off a first-class BritRail Pass and its versions and anyone on the trip of a lifetime IME should go first class - a world of difference much greater than on the Continent - huge difference plus gratis food and drink on many cross-country lines the whole way. I've had dozens and dozens of first-class BritRailpasses and have never ever not found empty seats by just showing up - rarely true these days in 2nd class - lots of room for luggage - just a world of difference in comfort level than being sardined in much smaller seats in 2nd class with a lot less room to easily stow luggage.
Dec 4th, 2014, 01:30 PM
#23
PQ --- the point is if does want to, one can get advance purchase <U>First Class</U> at a large discount w/ the senior rail card. Makes First really economical. So IMO no need to waste money on a First Class pass to cover all travel when only one or two trips might be long enough to warrant FC.
Dec 4th, 2014, 01:58 PM
#24
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We had first class tickets from London to Edinburgh in 2013 and absolutely loved it! The part from Edinburgh to Inverness, and later from Oban to Glasgow, were nice, but were not first class, if I remember correctly.
For my May/June trip with the grandsons we had first class for portions and it was very nice but very crowded, and one of the grandsons had a huge amount of luggage due to being in Spain for his senior year of high school. He shipped a lot home but lugged that stuff from Barcelona to Avignon to Paris to Amsterdam. The last day before flying home we discovered he had several very large jars of peanut butter in one of the duffels. We could have killed him, that stuff weighed a ton.
So, I will check thoroughly and see what will work I'm loving the senior discount!
Thanks.
For my May/June trip with the grandsons we had first class for portions and it was very nice but very crowded, and one of the grandsons had a huge amount of luggage due to being in Spain for his senior year of high school. He shipped a lot home but lugged that stuff from Barcelona to Avignon to Paris to Amsterdam. The last day before flying home we discovered he had several very large jars of peanut butter in one of the duffels. We could have killed him, that stuff weighed a ton.
So, I will check thoroughly and see what will work I'm loving the senior discount!
Thanks.
Dec 5th, 2014, 12:35 PM
#25
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janis - yes the more longer trips you take the more the pass is economical and to me what is priceless is being able to hop on any train anytime and find lots of empty seats.
the discounted first-class tickets you are talking about are 1st Class Light on most long-distance trains I've been on - they have a seat assignment and are in first-class cars that seem a bit smaller seat-wise and are always always IME packed to the gills because of the discounts or scheme such as on weekends moving up to first class for say 5 quid extra or not.
A BritRailPass is for the gold first class (as Virgin calls it) - a different car that is mainly used by the briefcase brigade and always extra seats and more gratis beverages so you are IME comaring apples to oranges (unless things have changed in the past two years since I've used a BritRail Pass.
and have you check pass prices - in off-peak season (Nov-Feb all passes are 25% off plus the senior discount of 25% off and the Party Pass at any time of year gives the 3rd thru 8th passengers on the same pass 50% off on passes - the family pass lets anyone under 16 travel totally free in first class.
so there are many variables as to the efficacy of a pass or not that you may not realize - and yes for two folks taking just a few long trips no to the pass and do the discount 1st class light route.
Of course not all train lines - Britain has a few dozen and more independent rail franchises setting their own rules - they all may not have the Gold first class as just about every long distance train I've taken in the past years - zillions of them did and I presume still do as the briefcase types do not want to be in a totally full train car that resembles 2nd class often more than 1st class IME.
the discounted first-class tickets you are talking about are 1st Class Light on most long-distance trains I've been on - they have a seat assignment and are in first-class cars that seem a bit smaller seat-wise and are always always IME packed to the gills because of the discounts or scheme such as on weekends moving up to first class for say 5 quid extra or not.
A BritRailPass is for the gold first class (as Virgin calls it) - a different car that is mainly used by the briefcase brigade and always extra seats and more gratis beverages so you are IME comaring apples to oranges (unless things have changed in the past two years since I've used a BritRail Pass.
and have you check pass prices - in off-peak season (Nov-Feb all passes are 25% off plus the senior discount of 25% off and the Party Pass at any time of year gives the 3rd thru 8th passengers on the same pass 50% off on passes - the family pass lets anyone under 16 travel totally free in first class.
so there are many variables as to the efficacy of a pass or not that you may not realize - and yes for two folks taking just a few long trips no to the pass and do the discount 1st class light route.
Of course not all train lines - Britain has a few dozen and more independent rail franchises setting their own rules - they all may not have the Gold first class as just about every long distance train I've taken in the past years - zillions of them did and I presume still do as the briefcase types do not want to be in a totally full train car that resembles 2nd class often more than 1st class IME.
Dec 18th, 2014, 12:15 PM
#26
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Hello again,
We have now booked everything except a hotel in London for 4 nights. (Can't book trains yet) Last trip we stayed in the Chesterfield Mayfair and while it was lovely, it was also very expensive. We are looking for something in that general area but trying for a little less expensive, somewhere 200 pounds or less. I can't seem to make the pound symbol, sorry. We have found several that looked promising but they do not offer two twin beds as an option. We are female cousins and we want our own beds.
We do require en suite, would much prefer breakfast included or available in the hotel.
This trip isn't until May but we'd like to have the details completed soon.
Thanks for any responses.
We have now booked everything except a hotel in London for 4 nights. (Can't book trains yet) Last trip we stayed in the Chesterfield Mayfair and while it was lovely, it was also very expensive. We are looking for something in that general area but trying for a little less expensive, somewhere 200 pounds or less. I can't seem to make the pound symbol, sorry. We have found several that looked promising but they do not offer two twin beds as an option. We are female cousins and we want our own beds.
We do require en suite, would much prefer breakfast included or available in the hotel.
This trip isn't until May but we'd like to have the details completed soon.
Thanks for any responses.
