BritRail Sales Manual US Edition 2006

Transcription

BritRail Sales Manual
US Edition 2006
USA Sales Manual 2006
Contents
1.
CONTACTS
4
2
NEW PRODUCTS AND OFFERS FOR 2006
5
3.
PRODUCTS
7
BRITRAIL PASSES
3.1
BRITRAIL CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS
3.2
BRITRAIL ENGLAND CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS
3.3
BRITRAIL PASS + IRELAND
3.4
BRITRAIL LONDON PLUS PASS
3.5
BRITRAIL SCOTTISH FREEDOM PASS
7
7
9
11
12
13
BRITRAIL POINT TO POINT TICKETS
3.6
BRITRAIL OPEN POINT TO POINT TICKETS
15
15
AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAINS
3.7
HEATHROW EXPRESS
3.8
GATWICK EXPRESS
3.9
STANSTED EXPRESS
3.10
LUTON AIRPORT TRANSFER
3.11
MANCHESTER AIRPORT TO MANCHESTER
3.12
BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT TO BIRMINGHAM
16
16
16
17
17
18
18
BRITRAIL TRAVEL EXTRAS
3.13
CALEDONIAN SLEEPERS
3.14
EUROSTAR
3.15
LONDON VISITOR TRAVELCARD
3.16
BRITAINSHRINKERS
3.17
CITY SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS
3.18
RAILTOURS IRELAND
3.19
BATEAUX LONDON & CATAMARAN CRUISERS
3.20
GREAT BRITISH HERITAGE PASS
3.21
ENGLISH HERITAGE OVERSEAS VISITOR PASS
3.22
HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES PASS
3.23
LONDON PASS
3.24
YORK PASS
3.25
DUBLIN PASS
3.26
EDINBURGH PASS
19
19
20
20
20
23
24
26
27
28
29
29
30
31
31
BRITRAIL SEAT & SLEEPER RESERVATIONS
3.27
SEAT RESERVATIONS
3.28
SLEEPER RESERVATIONS & SERVICES
32
32
32
4.
WHY SHOULD I BUY A BRITRAIL PASS?
33
OUR ADVICE…
BUT FIRST, WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?
ACP Rail International
33
33
Page 2
January 2006
IS A BRITRAIL PASS RIGHT FOR MY CLIENTS?
WHY BUY A FIRST CLASS PASS?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIRST AND STANDARD CLASS IN
DO ALL TRAINS HAVE FIRST CLASS?
5.
34
34
35
35
BRITAIN?
SUGGESTED ROUTES AND PLANNING A TRIP
36
GETTING TRAIN TIMES
37
6.
SUGGESTED ‘HUB’ CITIES AND SHORT TRIPS
38
7.
SCENIC RAIL ROUTES IN BRITAIN
42
ARRIVING IN BRITAIN BY AIR
43
8.
London Heathrow
London Gatwick
London Stansted
London Luton
Birmingham Airport
Manchester Airport
Glasgow Airport
9.
43
44
44
44
45
45
45
RESERVATIONS POLICY AND ADVICE
46
Are there times when it is advisable to reserve a seat?
How are Seat Reservations made?
46
46
10.
SLEEPER RESERVATIONS
48
11.
RAIL TRAVEL FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS
49
12.
CATERING TIPS
50
13.
LUGGAGE TIPS AND TRAVELLING IN BRITAIN
51
14.
CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, RESPONSIBILITY & LIABILITY
52
APPENDIX 1
53
Page 3
January 2006
1.
Contacts
BritRail is a division of ACP Rail International, which manages the overseas sales of the
BritRail product range.
The Sales Office for your Region is:
BritRail
2 Hudson Place, Suite 100
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Tel: (201) 798-4553
Fax: (201) 798-4605
The Call Centre can be reached:
By phone:
By fax:
E-mail:
1 866 BRITRAIL or 1 877-677-1066
1 877-477-1066
info@britrail.net
Hours:
9 am – 7 pm EST Monday – Friday, September to April
9am – 9pm EST Monday – Friday, May to August
10 am – 2 pm EST Saturdays
Key Contacts
Name
Tim Roebuck
Lilianne
Popescu
Michael Dee
Michael Fox
Sandra
Hamilton
Fernando
Reynoso
Title
Based
e-mail
Managing Director
BritRail
Operations Manager,
Americas
Territory Sales
Coordinator, Americas
Sales Manager, Western
USA
Sales Manager, Central
USA
Sales Manager, Central &
South America
US
TimRoebuck@ACPRail.com
US
LiliannePopescu@ACPRail.com
US
MichaelDee@ACPRail.com
US
MichaelFox@ACPRail.com
US
SandraHamilton@ACPRail.com
Mexico
FernandoReynoso@ACPRail.com
Page 4
January 2006
2
New Products and Offers For 2006
There are a number of minor changes and additions to the range for 2006, as
follows:
BritRail Guest Pass
Also known as the Visiting Friends and Relatives Pass, this promotion allows
customers purchasing a select BritRail pass to add-on a friend or relative from
the UK for 50% off the regular pass price.
Edinburgh Pass
This Pass allows free entry into 27 attractions throughout Edinburgh. It’s the
easiest way to get the most out of one of Scotland’s most fascinating cities.
English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
This Pass allows unlimited free entry into over 120 of England’s most historic
attractions.
Historic Royal Palaces Pass
Visit 4 of the most magnificent Royal Palaces in London with the help of the allin-one pass. This pass is only available for purchase before you arrive in the UK.
The Royal Palaces are The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace,
Kensington Palace and The Banqueting House, Whitehall.
Railtours Ireland
BritRail now offers the full range of Railtours Ireland day or half day excursions
from Dublin to a dozen cities in scenic Ireland such as Cork, Galway and
Killarney.
Eurostar
BritRail is proud to offer pass holder rates for Eurostar excursions via the
Channel Tunnel, departing from London or Ashford and arriving in Paris or
Brussels. London to Calais is also available.
London Visitor Travelcard
This new pre-purchased travel card gives access to London’s extensive
Underground network, the “Tube” as well as the bus system. Outlets must
purchase a minimum supply or purchase through the North American Call
Center.
Page 5
January 2006
Bateaux London & Catamaran Cruisers
New this year are boat tours capturing the sights of London along the River
Thames. Choose from A Catamaran River Cruise, an ‘All Day Hopper Pass’, or a
Classic Lunch or Dinner cruise with Bateaux London.
Bonus Partners
1 Car 1 – BritRail pass holders can benefit from a 10% reduction on car
rental rates published by 1Car1 on their web site.
Heritage Railways - BritRail in conjunction with the Heritage Railways
Association (HRA) is offering up to 20% off the admission of many
Heritage railways all over the U.K.
Page 6
January 2006
3.
Products
BRITRAIL PASSES
3.1
BRITRAIL CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS
BritRail Passes allow unlimited travel in England, Scotland and Wales on any
scheduled trains over the whole of Great Britain’s National Rail network during
the validity of the Pass without restrictions. Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express
and Stansted Express, trains from Luton Airport to London, from Birmingham and
Manchester airports are also included.
BritRail Consecutive Pass is valid for travel on a set number of consecutive
days. Passes are available for 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month.
BritRail FlexiPass permits the holder to choose the travel days within the period
of validity. Passes are available for 4, 8 or 15 days travel within 2 months.
Page 7
January 2006
Prices in $US
BritRail
Consecutive Pass
4 Days
8 Days
15 Days
22 Days
1 Month
Adult
First
Standard
327
469
702
891
1054
218
311
469
592
702
Adult
BritRail FlexiPass
First
Standard
4 Days in 2 Months
8 Days in 2 Months
15 Days in 2 Months
409
598
901
275
399
604
Guest Pass
1st Class addon
164
235
351
446
527
Guest Pass
1st Class addon
205
299
451
Senior and Youth Discounts:
.
BritRail
Consecutive
BritRail FlexiPass
Senior
First Class
Youth
Standard & First Class
15%
25%
15%
25%
Children
One child aged 5-15 can travel FREE with each full price adult or
senior pass.
Additional children (5-15) pay half the adult fare.
Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket.
Off-Peak
All Customers receive an additional 25% discount when travelling
1st January – 28th February 2006 and 1st November 2006 – 28th
February 2007.
Party
Discount
The 3rd to 9th people travelling in a group receive a 50% discount.
Guest Pass Friends and relatives residing in the UK wishing to travel with client
receive a 50% discount on passes.
Other Notes BritRail Passes are not valid on Eurostar services between London
and Brussels or Paris, Transport for London Underground trains or
buses, on special excursions, on ships or other Channel ferries, or
on coach services. BritRail Passes are not valid on trains in the
Page 8
January 2006
Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or any other transport service
not mentioned here. Some commuter services do not have First
Class; this has been allowed for in the price.
Ideal for…
3.2
BritRail Consecutive Pass is ideal for those whose time is restricted
and will be ‘on the move’. BritRail FlexiPass is ideal for those who
wish to linger several days or a week or more in one location.
BRITRAIL ENGLAND CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS
BritRail England Passes allow unlimited travel in England on any scheduled train.
Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express, trains from Luton
Airport to London, from Birmingham and Manchester airports are also included.
BritRail England Consecutive Pass is valid for travel on a set number of
consecutive days. Passes are available for 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month.
BritRail England FlexiPass permits the holder to choose the travel days within
the period of validity. Passes are available for 4, 8 or 15 days of travel within 2
months.
The boundary stations for this pass are:
Carlisle, Berwick upon Tweed, Lyndey, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Hereford,
Bucknell, Shrewsbury, Chirk, Crewe, Chester, West Kirby.
Page 9
January 2006
Prices in $US
BritRail England
Consecutive Pass
First
Adult
Standard
Guest Pass
262
375
561
713
844
174
249
375
474
561
131
188
281
357
422
4 Days
8 Days
15 Days
22 Days
1 Month
1st Class
add-on
Adult
BritRail England
FlexiPass
First
Standard
VFR 1st Class
add-on
4 Days in 2 Months
8 Days in 2 Months
15 Days in 2 Months
327
479
721
220
319
483
164
240
361
Senior and Youth Discounts:
.
BritRail
Consecutive
BritRail FlexiPass
Senior
First Class
Youth
Standard & First Class
15%
25%
15%
25%
Children
senior pass.
Additional children (5-15) pay half the adult fare.
Off-Peak
All customers receive an additional 25% discount when travelling
February 2007.
Party
Discount
The 3rd to 9th people travelling in a group receive a 50% discount
Other Notes BritRail Passes are not valid on Eurostar services between London
and Brussels or Paris, Transport for London Underground trains or
buses, on special excursions, on ships or other Channel ferries, or
Page 10
January 2006
on coach services. BritRail Passes are not valid on trains in the
Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or any other transport service
not mentioned here. Some commuter services do not have First
Class; this has been allowed for in the price.
Ideal for…
3.3
BritRail England Consecutive Pass is ideal for those whose time is
restricted and will be ‘on the move’. BritRail England FlexiPass is
ideal for those who wish to linger several days or a week or more in
one location.
BRITRAIL PASS + IRELAND
Unlimited rail travel in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the
Republic of Ireland including a roundtrip Stena Line or Irish Ferries sea crossing
between Stranraer and Belfast, Holyhead and Dublin Port or Dun Laoghaire or
Fishguard and Rosslare, via ship or high speed catamaran. Roundtrip sea
crossings can be made on different routes for the outward and return journey
needn’t be done from same port.
Prices in $US
BritRail Pass + Ireland
5 Days in 1 Month
10 Days in 1 Month
Children
First
590
973
Standard
427
680
Children aged 5-15 pay half the adult fare.
Page 11
January 2006
Other Notes Reservations for sea crossings are not necessary.
Why not combine this Pass with our new Dublin Pass, giving
free access to the city’s main attractions.
Ideal for…
3.4
Independent travellers visiting both Great Britain and Ireland.
BRITRAIL LONDON PLUS PASS
Unlimited rail travel in the south east of England, including Oxford, Cambridge &
Brighton. Boundary stations are: Harwich, Kings Lynn, Huntingdon, Bedford,
Long Buckby, Banbury, Worcester Foregate Bedwyn, Exeter (via Salisbury only),
West of Didcot Parkway and Weymouth.
Prices in US$
BritRail London Plus
Pass
2 Days in 8 Days
4 Days in 8 Days
7 Days in 15 Days
Children
First
Adult
Standard
106
176
234
70
132
176
VFR 1st Class
add-on
53
88
117
senior pass.
Additional Children (5-15) pay half the adult fare.
Page 12
January 2006
Youth
Age 16 –24 receive a 25% discount on the Adult Fare in First &
Standard Class.
Seniors
Age 60 and over receive 15% discount in First Class.
Party
Discount
The 3rd to 9th people travelling in a group receive a 50% discount.
Off-Peak
All customers receive an additional 25% discount when travelling
February 2007.
Other Notes This pass is NOT valid on First Great Western services West of
Didcot Parkway, i.e. not valid to Bath, or on Heathrow Express
services between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport. Some
commuter services do not have First Class; this has been allowed
for in the price.
Ideal for…
3.5
Visitors staying in or around London and wanting to make day trips
to attractions such as Canterbury, Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton,
Dover, Hastings, Poole, Greenwich, Winchester and many more!
BRITRAIL SCOTTISH FREEDOM PASS
Unlimited train travel in Scotland. Pass includes travel to/from Berwick upon
Tweed and Carlisle. Also covers travel on Caledonian MacBrayne and
Strathclyde ferries to islands, as well as key bus links and Glasgow
Underground.
Prices in US$
BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass
4 Days in 8 Days
8 Days in 15 Days
Standard
201
270
Page 13
January 2006
Children
Children aged 5 -15 pay half the adult fare.
Other Notes 20% Discount on Northlink Ferry routes between Scrabster –
Stromness and Aberdeen – Orkney/Shetland.
Pass valid on select bus services including Scottish Citylink
services, Stagecoach in Fife bus services, First Edinburgh Bus
Services, Highland Country Buses services and Bowman Coaches.
£1 discount on Adult and concession fares on City Centre bus tours
in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.
Complimentary information pack and detailed timetable upon
validation of the Pass.
The BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass may be validated at main
stations within Scotland (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh Waverly,
Fort William, Glasgow Central & Queen Street, Inverness, Oban,
Paisley Gilmour Street, Perth & Stirling).
Travel on ScotRail’s Caledonian Sleepers is permitted between
Edinburgh Waverly and Fort William within the seated
accommodation.
BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass is not valid on special excursion
trains, privately owned railways or Glasgow Airport Coach Links.
Ideal for…
Visitors wishing to explore Scotland and its islands in depth.
Pass holders will not be allowed to travel before 9:15 am Monday to Friday.
Page 14
January 2006
BRITRAIL POINT TO POINT TICKETS
3.6
BRITRAIL OPEN POINT TO POINT TICKETS
Valid for travel between two selected stations. There are no restrictions as to
day, time, or train. Tickets are valid for 2 months from the date of outward travel.
Stopovers allowed en-route.
Children
Age 5 -15 pay half the adult fare.
Other Notes Reservations are not compulsory but are recommended. They can
be made when booking (normally available 3 months in advance of
travel) or at stations when in Britain.
Group rates for groups of 10 or more available upon request.
Point-to-Point Tickets must be validated within 6 months of issuing
date. Once they are validated, they are valid for 2 months from that
date.
Ideal for…
Those who are not touring but have a specific journey to make, for
example the business traveller.
FAQ
Why buy in advance?

These tickets are intended for overseas visitors, they carry
no restrictions as to time, day or availability.
Travel on any train on the route in question.
Stop-off as often as wished in the direction of travel. (On a
London/Edinburgh BritRail Open Single, the client could stop
at York, Durham and Newcastle.)
Are cheaper tickets available in the UK?

Sometimes, however, they are usually date, train/time
restricted, non-changeable, subject to penalties, etc.
Many are valid only on certain train operating company
services.
Many routes require advance local purchase.
Page 15
January 2006
AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAINS
3.7
HEATHROW EXPRESS
Travel non-stop between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington Station.
There are no restrictions as to time, day or train.
Prices in $US
Heathrow Express
Single
Return
Children
First Class
46
88
Standard Class
29
53
Other Notes The quickest way from Heathrow Airport to central London! Trains
depart every 15 minutes and the journey takes just 15 minutes.
Heathrow Express serves all four terminals at Heathrow Airport with
one station for Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and a separate one for
Terminal 4.
Ideal for…
3.8
All airport travellers going to London. Paddington Station offers a
variety of Underground and mainline rail connections, local and
long distance buses and of course, easy access to taxis.
GATWICK EXPRESS
Travel non-stop between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria Station. There are
no restrictions as to time, day or train.
Prices in $US
Gatwick Express
Single
Return
Children
First Class
40
75
Standard Class
28
49
Other Notes Gatwick Express is the fastest way to travel from Gatwick Airport to
central London - the 27 miles are covered in just 30 minutes.
Trains leave every 15 minutes from London Victoria and Gatwick
Page 16
January 2006
Airport throughout the day and evening. Gatwick Airport Station is
actually part of Gatwick Airport. There are no long corridors to walk
through and it is nearer than the buses and taxis.
Ideal for… All airport travellers going to London. London Victoria station is in
London’s West End and offers a variety of Underground and
mainline rail connections, local and long distance buses and of
course, easy access to taxis.
3.9
STANSTED EXPRESS
Travel non-stop between London Stansted Airport and London Liverpool St
station. There are no restrictions as to time, day or train.
Prices in $US
Stansted Express
Single
Return
Children
First Class
47
79
Standard Class
30
49
Other Notes Stansted Express trains take you directly from the Airport to London
Liverpool Street Station in 42 minutes. Stansted Airport is also the
starting point for a regular service that takes you cross country
through Cambridge, Peterborough (for connections to York and
Edinburgh), to Birmingham, Liverpool or Manchester.
Ideal for….
Direct travel to the City of London (business district around
Liverpool Street or London’s West End (change at Tottenham Hale
onto the Victoria line underground line).
3.10 LUTON AIRPORT TRANSFER
Travel non-stop between Central London (Blackriars, Farringdon, and Kings
Cross Thameslink to London Luton Airport There are no restrictions as to time,
day or train.
Prices in $US
Single
Return
Children
First Class
26
39
Standard Class
19
26
Page 17
January 2006
Other Notes: Trains take you directly from the Airport station to London’s
Kings Cross Thameslink Station and stations to the South Coast in
45 minutes. Luton Airport is also the starting point for a regular
service that takes you to Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Sheffield
and Leeds. The airport station is a short free shuttle bus ride from
the airport terminal.
Ideal for….
Direct travel to the City of London.
3.11 MANCHESTER AIRPORT TO MANCHESTER
Travel non-stop the short journey between Manchester Airport and Central
Manchester. Direct trains are also available to Liverpool, Leeds, York, Blackpool,
Windermere and Newcastle. Details and prices available upon request.
Ideal for…. Direct travel to the City of Manchester and direct onwards to many
other North West and North East England destinations
3.12 BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT TO BIRMINGHAM
Travel non-stop between Birmingham Airport and Central Birmingham. An ultra
modern monorail takes you the short distance from the airport terminal to the
station where direct trains take you to Birmingham in around 10 minutes. Direct
connections are also available to London, Oxford and local station in the West
Midlands. Details and prices available upon request.
Ideal for…. Direct travel to the City of Birmingham and direct onwards to many
other North West destinations.
Page 18
January 2006
BRITRAIL TRAVEL EXTRAS
3.13 CALEDONIAN SLEEPERS
Ride overnight between London Euston & cities in Scotland and arrive the
following morning in the heart of the Highlands or the centre of the city. Save the
cost of a night’s hotel and sleep in the luxury of one of our sleepers. Special
inclusive fares for sleeper train service to and from Scotland.
For Travel between London and
Carlisle, Edinburgh or Glasgow
First Class
242
364
One Way
Round Trip
Standard Class
178
270
For Travel between London and
Aberdeen, Dundee, Ft. William
or Inverness
First Class
Standard Class
One Way
282
220
Round Trip
426
305
*Fare includes rail ticket and sleeper reservation supplement.
Children
Children (5-15) pay half the adult fare.
Children under 5 travel free.
No 1st Class Child Discount.
Other Notes Single and twin berth cabins are available. Cabins are equipped
with bed, blankets and clean cotton sheets, air conditioning
and bedside lighting. Wash basin with shaver point and
hand towel also included. All berths are non-smoking. Single
travellers may have to share with someone of the opposite sex.
Ideal for…
Travellers going to Scotland who do not want to spend
daytime hours travelling.
Page 19
January 2006
3.14 EUROSTAR
BritRail offers pass holder rates for travel on Eurostar trains through the Channel
Tunnel to Paris or Brussels. Trains leave from London or Ashford. A LondonCalais route through the Channel Tunnel is also available.
*Prices subject to Change
3.15 LONDON VISITOR TRAVELCARD
(Please note that this product is now only available for pre-purchase via the
North American call center and www.BritRail.com).
Unlimited travel on the London Underground and Bus network, within either the
Central Zone (Zones 1 and 2) or All Zones (Zones 1 - 6) including the Piccadilly
Line to London Heathrow Airport.
Prices in $US
3 Days Off-Peak*
3 Days Peak
7 Days
Children
ALL ZONES (1 to 6)
Adult
Child
37
12
81
41
CENTRAL ZONE (1&2)
Adult
Child
31
16
44
22
Age 5 –15 pay reduced rate.
*Other Notes Off-Peak Travel is on weekends and after 9:30am Monday to
Friday.
Ideal for…
Anyone visiting London – remember a single journey for one stop in
the Central Zone is £3.
3.16 BRITAINSHRINKERS
BritainShrinkers was established in 1972 and are the pioneers in the fully
escorted day and night trips from London to Paris. Their full range of escorted
and newly developed unescorted trips leave from London’s Waterloo
International station via the top-notch Eurostar service through the Channel
Tunnel. A tremendous value, featuring packages with 4 star hotels and “indepth” commentary of the French capital.
Fully escorted day tour includes:
Page 20
January 2006
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check-in staff at Waterloo International.
Round-trip rail ticket and seat reservations.
Guided services throughout.
Coach for Paris sightseeing.
Map of Paris.
First Class ticket aboard Eurostar includes a full meal service.
After checking in at 6:30 am, leave Waterloo International with your
BritainShrinkers guide aboard the 7:23 am Eurostar train for the three-hour
journey to Paris. Enjoy a fully guided panoramic tour of Paris including the
Champs-d’Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and much more. The
afternoon will be free to shop and explore independently or with your guide:
alternatively an optional tour to the Louvre* or a Seine Cruise** may be added to
your day. Return to London via an early evening Eurostar, arriving at
approximately 9:15 pm.
*Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Paris Tours Operate:
January & February:
Daily except Sunday
June thru September:
October & November:
December:
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
Daily
Daily except Sunday
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
Page 21
January 2006
RailNet
Code
Tour P
Escorted Escorted
Adult
Child
311
272
Tour PU
Unescorted
Adult
252
Unescorted
Child
213
Tour PX
389
350
Tour PXU
331
291
Tour PF
467
428
Tour PFU
409
370
Tour PN
545
506
Tour PT
487
448
Tour PXN
663
604
Tour PFT
721
643
Tour PFN
780
702
Tour PXT
604
545
RailNet
Code
Paris Tour
2nd Class
Paris One
Way First
Class
Paris Tour
First Class
Round Trip
*Paris
Overnighter
2nd Class
*Paris
Overnighter
One way
First Class
*Paris
Overnighter
First Class
Round Trip
Page 22
January 2006
3.17 CITY SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS
City sightseeing
City Sightseeing now operates in many tourist towns and cities in Britain. With
distinctive buses and friendly staff, the choice in selected cities between multilingual commentary or live guide, an exclusive Kids Commentary in some
destinations, sightseeing has never been so much fun!
1 Day Validity
Coupon for “A” cities
Coupon for “B” cities
Coupon for “D” cities
Coupon for “E” cities
Coupon for “F” cities
Coupon for “G” cities
Coupon for “H” cities
Coupon for “J” cities
Adult
41
34
21
20
17
16
13
12
Child
21
17
9
8**
8
7*
7
7
**Children pay $9 on Bath tour
*Children pay $16 on Galway tour
‘A’ cities –
’B’ cities –
‘D’ cities –
‘E’ cities –
‘F’ cities –
‘G’ cities –
‘H’ cities –
‘J’ cities –
London
Stonehenge
Dublin (Guided)
Bath, Edinburgh and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Belfast, Bristol, Cambridge, Glasgow, New Forest, Oxford, and
York.
Galway and Kilkenny.
Brighton, Cardiff, Chester, Dover, Eastbourne, Llandudno & Conwy,
Manchester, Newcastle/Gateshead, Norwich, Stirling, Windsor and
Eton.
Blackpool, Colchester, Great Yarmouth, Inverness, Ipswich,
Leicester, Liverpool, Newport, Perth.
Children
Ages 5-15 pay reduced rate.
Ideal for…
Clients with a BritRail Pass. Travellers are taken to the main tourist
attractions and can hop off to explore them further, then can simply
hop on a later bus. Saves walking and offers an educational
commentary too!
Page 23
January 2006
3.18 RAILTOURS IRELAND
Wide range of tours throughout Ireland from Dublin over one day or half a day.
Include reserved seats on InterCity rail services, most with full dining
facilities and qualified driver/guides where necessary.
1. Tour DC01
Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny City & East Coast
Get on board for a day trip to Ireland's "sunny south east" region of Wexford,
Waterford and Kilkenny Counties. This circular tour includes a flavour of
Wexford, tours of Waterford Crystal and the famine ship Dunbrody as well as the
historic city of Kilkenny.
2. Tour DH02
Cork, Blarney Castle and the Queenstown Story
Travel to Ireland's scenic Southern capital, Cork, visiting the world renowned
Blarney Stone and the Queenstown Story at Cobh, on Cork Harbour, famous as
the Titanic's last port of call.
3. Tour DH04
Connemara and Galway Bay
Savour a trip to the glorious West of Ireland where John Ford filmed "The Quiet
Man". Arrive through Galway (the City of the Tribes), see Clifden (the Capital of
Connemara) Kylemore Abbey and explore Connemara which means "inlets of
the sea".
4. Tour DH05
The Ring of Kerry
Take in an all day tour offering a unique opportunity to experience the world
renowned Ring of Kerry, with its overwhelming mountains and seascapes.
5. Tour DH06
The Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway Bay
Embark on a day trip to Ireland's rugged and unique mid-western coast, through
Limerick on the mighty River Shannon and on then to the imposing Bunratty
Castle with its lovely folk park. Don’t miss the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the
Burren and Galway Bay. A flavour of Galway City concludes the tour before
your return to Dublin.
Page 24
January 2006
6. Tour DC08
The Wicklow Mountaineer, Ballykissangel (Avoca) and Glendalough
Indulge in a lovely half-day tour into the Wicklow Mountains to visit Ireland's most
famous village, Avoca, otherwise known as "Ballykissangel" situated in the
beautiful Vale of Avoca. While there, visit the magnificent Glendalough (valley
of the two lakes).
7. Tour DC10
The Giant’s Causeway Glens of Antrim and Wild Atlantic Coast
Depart Dublin for a fascinating day out to the famed Antrim coast with its
spectacular seascapes taking in the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and
the old Bushmills Distillery.
8. Tour DH11
The Aran Islands in Galway Bay
Don’t pass up this unique opportunity to visit Inishmore, the largest of the
legendary Aran Islands facing the wild Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of Galway
Bay. Tour includes train and airplane journey.
9. Tour DC12
Mystery Railtour
Venture into the unknown with this half day tour showcasing some of Ireland's
loveliest countryside, possibly visiting an inland town or coastal village, a
magnificent castle, mountain scenery or gentle rolling hills - you won't be
disappointed.
Page 25
January 2006
Tour
DC01 - Day Tour
Waterford, Kilkenny and East Coast
DH02 - Day Tour
Cork, Blarney Castle, Cobh.
DH04 - Day Tour
Connemara and Galway Bay
DH05 - Day Tour
The Ring of Kerry
DH06 - Day Tour
The Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle,
Burren and Galway Bay
DC08 - Half Day Tour
Wicklow Mountains, Ballykissangel,
Avoca and Glendalough.
DC10 - Day Tour
Giant's Causeway, Glens of Antrim,
and Wild Atlantic Coast
DH11 - Day Tour
The Aran Islands in Galway Bay
DC12 - Half Day Tour
Mystery Tour !!!!!
Children
Price
115
128
115
128
128
51
128
153
51
Half price for children 5-15 yrs.
Other Notes No departures on Sundays and Bank Holidays including St.
Patrick’s day. Christmas closure from December 21st to January
3rd. All tours depart from Dublin.
3.19 BATEAUX LONDON & CATAMARAN CRUISERS
Bateaux London
London’s leading operator of Thames restaurant cruises offering lunch and
dinner cruises and private charters on the River Thames. This cruise offers
a luxury event with 5-star customer care while taking in the most scenic views
of London. Taking this cruise is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon or evening
while in the heart of London.
Classic Lunch
Classic Dinner
Adult
39
127
Child
24
N/A
Page 26
January 2006
Terms and Conditions:
1. Schedules and services are subject to change.
2. Voucher is valid for only the product shown.
3. Tickets and boarding from Embankment Pier will only be permitted on presentation of a valid
voucher.
4. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash or alternative value.
5. Passengers must reserve in advance.
6. Passengers must arrive at least 15 minutes before sailing time.
7. Children under 12 are not allowed on board dinner cruises.
8. Dress Code for dinner: no jeans or training shoes.
9. No refunds or alternatives for failure to board a vessel.
10. Smoking restrictions apply.
11. For reservations and further information please contact +44 (0) 20 7987 1185 for timetable
and more information.
Catamaran Cruisers
Offer the best sightseeing cruises on the River Thames with a fleet of six vessels,
including the radically-designed all-glass trimaran with a capacity of 380 people.
This cruise tours the many landmarks settled along the river including the
Houses of Parliament, St-Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.
All Day Hopper
55 Minute Cruise
Adult
18
18
Child
9
9
*Family
44
44
*Family: 2 adults + 3 children
Terms and Conditions:
1. Schedules and services are subject to change.
2. Tickets will only be issued on presentation of the voucher.
3. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash or alternative value.
4. Passengers are advised to arrive 15 minutes before departure.
5. Children under 5 travel free.
6. Please contact +44 (0) 20 7987 1185 for timetable and more information.
3.20 GREAT BRITISH HERITAGE PASS
This unique pass gives free entry to over 600 magnificent castles, gardens and
historic homes throughout England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Prices in $US
4 Days
7 Days
15 Days
1 Month
Adult
55
77
102
137
Note: For publicity leaflets, please call us. If you require additional information
please visit www.gbheritagepass.com.
Page 27
January 2006
Other Notes This pass is non-refundable/non-returnable once purchased and
there are no discounts for seniors, children or youths.
Properties include Hampton Court Palace, Shakespeare’s
birthplace, Stonehenge, Warwick Castle and Windsor Castle. A
souvenir gazetteer listing all of the properties with opening times
and maps showing the locations is given to customers.
Tickets should be placed in special Great British Heritage Pass
ticket cover (Call us if you require supplies of these)
IMPORTANT Some properties are closed between the end of October and
March/April
Ideal for…
Clients wishing to visit historic attractions and gardens, many of
which are easily accessible from rail stations.
3.21 ENGLISH HERITAGE OVERSEAS VISITOR PASS
This pass gives unlimited free entry to over 120 of England’s finest castles,
abbeys, Roman remains, and prehistoric monuments. Some of the attractions
include Stonehenge, Carlisle Castle, and Down House, the home of Charles
Darwin.
Prices in $US
7 Days
14 Days
Adult
34
42
2 Adults
63
77
Family
71
86
Note: For publicity leaflets, please call us. If you require additional information
please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk .
Children
Ages 5-15 pay reduced rate
Children under 5 do not require a pass.
Other Notes Pass holder receives complimentary colour souvenir guidebook and
a comprehensive visitor map.
This pass is not open to UK residents. Pass is validated at first
property visited.
Prices subject to change as of April 1st, 2006.
Page 28
January 2006
3.22 HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES PASS
Visit the most magnificent Royal palaces and buildings in London with the help of
the all in one pass. Properties include the Tower of London, Hampton Court
Palace, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House and the Kew Palace.
Choose from any of the 3 following pass options:
4 Palace Pass includes access to Hampton Court Palace, Tower of London,
Kensington Palace and the Banqueting House.
3 Palace Pass includes access to Hampton Court Palace, Tower of London, and
Kensington Palace.
Central London Pass includes access to Tower of London, Kensington Palace
and the Banqueting House.
Adult
69
62
50
4 Palace Pass
3 Palace Pass
Central London
Palaces Pass
Child
45
40
32
Note: For Historic Royal Palaces publicity leaflets, please call us.
3.23 LONDON PASS
Gives free entrance to over 50 of London’s most popular attractions. Attractions
include Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Museums, Art galleries, Exhibitions,
Tourist Attractions, Discounts in restaurants etc.
The customer is given a voucher, which can be exchanged for a smartcard pass
and high quality guidebook listing all the attractions at the British Visitor Centre,
Lower Regent St., London.
Prices in $US
1 Day
2 Days
3 Days
6 Days
Adult
49
77
96
135
Child
34
53
63
86
Note: If you require London Pass publicity leaflets, please call us, or for more
information please visit www.londonpass.com .
Page 29
January 2006
3.24 YORK PASS
Gives free entrance to more than 30 of York’s most popular attractions including
York Minster, The National Railway Museum and York Dungeon. The pass also
offers special offers and discounts for various restaurants and shops in York.
The customer is given a voucher, which can be exchanged for a smartcard pass.
The customer will receive a high quality guide book when they exchange their
voucher at the York Tourism Information Centre, giving detailed information
about each attraction.
Prices in $US
1 Day
2 Days
3 Days
Adult
38
49
63
Child
20
32
43
Note: If you require York Pass publicity leaflets, please call us, or for more
information please see www.yorkpass.com
Page 30
January 2006
3.25 DUBLIN PASS
Gives free entrance to over 30 of Dublin’s most popular attractions including The
James Joyce Museum and Malahide Castle. You can also take advantage of free
travel on the AirCoach between the Airport and the City Centre as well as special
offers and discounts.
Prices in $US
2 Day
3 Days
6 Days
Adult
63
76
115
Child
38
44
57
The customer is given a voucher, which can be exchanged at Dublin Tourist
Information offices at Dublin International Airport or Dublin Centre for a smartcard
pass. The customer will receive a high quality guide book when they exchange
their voucher, giving detailed information about each attraction.
Note: If you require Dublin Pass publicity leaflets, please call us. For more
information, please visit www.visitdublin.com/thedublinpass .
3.26 EDINBURGH PASS
Gives free entrance to 27 of Edinburgh’s top attractions including The Edinburgh
Dungeon, Glenkinchie Distillery and The Georgian House. Pass also includes
airport transfer and unlimited bus travel as well as exclusive offers from some of
Edinburgh’s best retailers, restaurants, festival and leisure providers.
Prices in $US
2 Days
3 Days
Adult
67
79
Customer receives a voucher to be exchanged at The Edinburgh and Scotland
Tourist Information Centre in Prince’s Street upon arrival in Edinburgh. The
customer also receives a 90-page guidebook listing everything the Edinburgh
Pass has to offer as well as tourist information, area maps and bus routes.
Note: If you require Edinburgh Pass publicity leaflets, please call us, or for more
information please visit www.edinburgh.org/pass
Page 31
January 2006
BRITRAIL SEAT & SLEEPER RESERVATIONS
3.27 SEAT RESERVATIONS
SEAT RESERVATIONS are $10 US per person per train.
3.28 SLEEPER RESERVATIONS & SERVICES
SLEEPER SUPPLEMENT is $75 US per person in First Class and $65 US per
person Standard Class.
Sleepers leave London Euston station Sunday to Friday nights with services to
Edinburgh, Glasgow and most major stations on the routes to Inverness,
Aberdeen and Fort William (Caledonian Sleepers). Sleepers also operate from
London Paddington to Plymouth and main stations through Cornwall to
Penzance (Night Riviera).
They are great way to cover a large distance whilst getting a night’s rest, and
saving a night’s hotel cost. Sleepers are air-conditioned and have a wash basin.
First Class is single berths and Standard Class is dual occupancy. A light
breakfast is served.
To travel in sleepers, an all inclusive Caledonian Sleepers ticket must be
purchased (for Scotland services) or a supplement in addition to a BritRail Pass
or point-to-point ticket.
Page 32
January 2006
4.
Why Should I Buy a BritRail Pass?
BritRail Passes must be bought before arrival in the UK and are only available to
those who do not reside in the United Kingdom. This section is designed to help
you decide which product is right for the client.
IMPORTANT Citizens of the UK residing overseas are eligible to purchase a
BritRail Euro Pass
OUR ADVICE…
A BritRail Pass can be absolutely invaluable.
It can save the client hundreds of euros.
It is flexible and can be used on any train in Britain
BUT FIRST, WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

If the client wants to travel by train but does not buy a BritRail Pass in
advance, point-to-point tickets can be purchased at the time of travel in
the UK.

There are some cheap fares on offer, however, the best fares frequently
require advance purchase (up to 14 days), compulsory seat reservation
and there are limits on the number of tickets available for a specific train.

‘Saver Fares’ can be bought at the time of travel. While they do not have
quotas, they cannot normally be used at peak times of the day.
Passengers will be charged the full fare if they travel on restricted trains,
which tend to be in the mornings and evening rush hour periods.
Stopovers en route are not allowed.
Page 33
January 2006
IS A BRITRAIL PASS RIGHT FOR MY CLIENTS?
Begin by asking the client these questions:

Will you be making two or more fairly long journeys?
Will you be making a circular tour(s)?
Do you wish to have the flexibility to travel on any train?
Will you be making several short journeys?
Will you be travelling in peak periods – in the mornings or evenings?
Are you likely to want to travel on Friday?
Do you wish to have the flexibility to hop off at stations en route and plan as you
go?
Are you going from London to Scotland?
Are you confident about buying rail tickets in English?
Do you want hassle free travel with no queuing for tickets?
If the answered is ‘Yes’ to one or more of these questions a BritRail Pass is
suitable. If one journey is being made, then an Open Point to Point is best.
BritRail Open Point to Point tickets offer reductions on round trips in both First
and Standard class. And of course, all BritRail tickets can be used on any train.
WHY BUY A FIRST CLASS PASS?
If the clients want to travel in First Class, and we recommend that they do, then a
Pass is almost certain to be the best bet. Tickets for First Class in Britain tend to
be expensive and are mostly designed for the business traveller. First Class
BritRail Pass prices offer more affordable First Class travel.
Page 34
January 2006
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIRST AND STANDARD CLASS IN
BRITAIN?

First Class has larger seats, more space both for your client and their
luggage.
First Class carriages are usually less busy and offer a quieter atmosphere.
On many routes First Class offers extras, including free tea and coffee.
Some routes even offer free snacks and newspapers. Certain long haul
routes have table or buffet service meal too. It is normally very good and
comparable to airline ‘first class.
The décor and ambiance is very pleasant – frequently leaving one
disappointed that the train has arrived.
Some commuter routes radiating from the big cities have First Class
accommodation, but please check before booking. Here the benefit is
space for your client on busy rush hour trains.
First Class is usually at the London end of the platform (i.e. no long walk
at the London terminal!).
DO ALL TRAINS HAVE FIRST CLASS?
No. However, allmost principle routes have First Class accommodation. Some
rural routes, such as in Scotland and commuter routes into large cities (excluding
London), offer Standard Class accommodation only. First Class Pass prices do
reflect the fact that not all trains have First Class.
Page 35
January 2006
5. SUGGESTED ROUTES AND PLANNING A TRIP
Clients with a BritRail Pass are free to choose where and when they wish to go.
However, our experience indicates that customers need destinations/routes
suggested to them. This section and the next Hub Cities and Scenic Routes are
designed to help suggest routes for your clients to take and in which cities to
base themselves, each selected with rail travel and touring in mind. Remember
most of the interesting cities a tourist will want to see are easily accessible by
rail.
These tours can be done over any length of time – the figures in () indicate the
approximate rail journey time between stations in hours. Anything is possible
with a BritRail Euro Pass.

London Kings Cross to (1) Cambridge to (2.25) York to (2.75) Edinburgh to (3.5)
Inverness to (3.5) Glasgow to (3.5) Windermere to (4) London Euston

London Kings Cross to (2) York to (2.5) Edinburgh to (1) Glasgow to (5.75)
London Euston

London to (2) Norwich to (3) York to (2.5) Edinburgh to (5) London Euston

The Grand Tour – London to (2) York to (2.5) Edinburgh to (3.5) Inverness to
(3.5) Glasgow to (3.5) Windermere to (3.75) Birmingham to (2) Bath to (5)
Penzance to (3) Exeter to (1.75) Salisbury to (1.5) London

London to (1.5) Bath to (1) Cardiff to (3.25) Chester to (1) Manchester to (1.5)
York to (2) London

London to (1.5) Portsmouth to (1.25) Salisbury to (1) Bath to (2) Birmingham to
(4.5) Glasgow to (1) Edinburgh to (2.5) York to (2) London

A trip to Ireland and Wales – London to (2.5) Chester to (1.75) Holyhead for
the HSS (Slow Ferry) to (1.75) Dublin/Dun Laoghaire to (3.25) Rosslare for (2.5)
Ferry to (3.75) Fishguard in Wales to (2.5) Cardiff to (2) London
Page 36
January 2006
GETTING TRAIN TIMES
Before departure: Detailed up to the minute train times can be obtained from the
timetable section of the web site www.BritRail.com. This is an excellent planning
tool!
In the UK: All stations have departure sheets and manned stations have
timetable assistance, including route timetables – once in the UK travellers can
call 08457 48 49 50 at any time of the day or night, from anywhere for the price
of a local call!
The National Rail Timetable is available for purchase in the UK. It contains
information on all scheduled rail services in Great Britain. It is, however, large
and cumbersome. A slightly smaller ‘ABC Rail Guide’ is also available for
purchase whilst in the UK.
Page 37
January 2006
6. SUGGESTED ‘HUB’ CITIES AND SHORT TRIPS
Apart from the tours suggested above, another excellent way to tour Britain is to
stay in hub cities for several days and make day trips out from the hub. This
avoids constantly travelling with luggage and having to repack every night. The
fast and frequent ‘go as you please’ BritRail network makes this very relaxing
and practical.
Full day and half day trips by rail are easily done to many of the following places:
Short trips from THE Hub city - London
Destination
Journey Time
Frequency*
Every 30 mins
Bath
1 hour 20 min
Birmingham
1 hour 21 min
Every 30 mins
Every 30 mins
50 mins
Brighton
Hourly
Brighton
50 mins
1 hour 40 min
Every 30 mins
Dover
Ely
Exeter
Cambridge
Canterbury
Hastings
Isle of Wight
Manchester
Norwich
Portsmouth
Oxford
Salisbury
Southampton
Stratford Upon
Avon
1 hour
2 hour 40 min
1 hour
1 ½ hours
1 ½ hours
2 hours
2 hours 6 mins
1 hour 50 min
1 ½ hours
1 hour
1 hour 25 min
1 ¼ hours
2 ¼ hours
Hourly
Every 30mins
Hourly
2 per hour
Hourly
Every 30 mins
Every 30 mins
Every 30 mins
Every 30 mins
Every 30 mins
Every 30 mins
3 per hour
Every 2 hours
Departure Station
Paddington
Euston
Victoria
Bridge
Victoria/London
Bridge/Charing Cross
Kings Cross
Paddington / Waterloo
Kings Cross
Victoria
Bridge
Waterloo- change to ferry
Euston
Liverpool St
Waterloo
Paddington
Waterloo
Waterloo
Marlyboune
* Minimum frequency
Other ‘Hub’ Cities
Short Trips From York
Destination
Harrogate or
Knaresborough
Leeds
Durham
Scarborough
Settle & Carlisle Line,
Newcastle
Manchester
Journey Time
30 minutes
Frequency
Hourly
30 minutes
50 minutes
45 minutes
Full Day Trip
4 or 5 per hour
At least 2 per hour
Every 30 mins
Every 2 hours
1 ½ hrs
2 or 3 per hour
Page 38
January 2006
Hebden Bridge
1 ½ hrs
Hourly
Short Trips From Edinburgh
Destination
Glasgow
Stirling
Perth
Oban
Aberdeen
Journey Time
50 minutes
50 minutes
50 minutes
4 hours
2 ½ hours
Frequency
Every 15 mins
Every 30 mins
Hourly
4 per day
Hourly
Short Trips From Glasgow
Destination
Stirling
Perth
Oban
Fort William
Edinburgh
Ayr
Inverness
Journey Time
45 minutes
1 hour
3 hours
3 ¾ hours
50 minutes
1 hour
3 ½ hours
Q = Glasgow Queen Street Station
Frequency
Every 30 mins
Q
Hourly
Q
3 per day
Q
4 per day
Q
Every 15 mins
Q
2 per hour
C
Every 2 hr approx Q
C = Glasgow Central Station
Short Trips From Inverness
Destination
Kyle of Lochalsh
Wick/Thurso
Aberdeen
Journey Time
2 ½ hours
4 hours
2 ¼ hours
Frequency
3 per day
3 per day
Every 2 hrs approx
Short Trips From Chester
Destination
Manchester
Liverpool
Llandudno
Conwy
Central Wales Line
Shrewsbury
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Journey Time
1 hour
35 minutes
1 ¼ minutes
1 ½ hours
Full Day
1 hour
2 hours
Frequency
Hourly
Every 30 mins
Hourly
Hourly
3 Daily
Hourly
Every 3 hours
Journey Time
20 minutes
30 minutes
3 hours
2 hours (35min, 1 hour)
Frequency
2 or 3 trains hourly
2 trains hourly
Every 2 hours
Hourly
3 hours
6 trains daily
Short Trips From Cardiff
Destination
Caerphilly
Trehafod
Pembroke, Tenby
Shrewsbury
(Abergavenny, Hereford)
Llandrindod Wells
Page 39
January 2006
Bath Spa
1 hour
1 or 2 trains hourly
Short Trips From Manchester
Destination
Journey Time
Liverpool
50 minutes
London
2 hours 20 minutes
Chester
1 hour
Windermere (Lake District) 1 ¾ hours
Blackpool
1 ¼ hours
York
1 ½ hours
Llandudno (North Wales 2 ¼ hours
Coast)
Buxton (Peak District)
55 minutes
Frequency
4 per hour
2 per hour
Hourly
Hourly
2 per hour
3 per hour
Hourly
B
P
P
P
P
P
P
Hourly
P
B = Both Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly P = Manchester Piccadilly
Short Trips From Norwich
Destination
Sheringham / Cromer (N
Norfolk)
Lowestoft
Great Yarmouth
Cambridge (or Ely)
Journey Time
1 hour
Frequency
Hourly
40 minutes
30 minutes
1 ½ hours (50 min)
Hourly
Hourly
2 per hour
Short Trips From Shrewsbury
Destination
Journey Time
Cardiff
2 hours
Aberystwth
1 ¾ hours
Harlech/Ffestiniog/Pwhelli 2 ¾ hours to 3 ½ hours
Chester
1 hour
Frequency
Hourly
5 per day
Every 2 hours
Every 1 or 2 hours
Short Trips From Birmingham
Destination
Journey Time
London
1 hour 21 minutes
Hereford
1 ½ hours
Cheltenham
45 minutes
Cardiff
2 hours
Stratford upon Avon
50 minutes
Worcester
55 minutes
Stamford
1 hour 40 minutes
Shrewsbury
1 hour
Warwick
35 minutes
Frequency
2 per hour
Hourly
N
2 per hour
N
3 per hour
N
Hourly
S or M
2 per hour
All
Hourly
N
Every 30 minutes N
2 per hour S or M
M = Moor St Station, N = New Street Station S = Snow Hill Station
Page 40
January 2006
Short Trips From Exeter
Destination
Exmouth
Barnstaple
Torquay / Paignton /
Dawlish
Salisbury
Penzance
Journey Time
25 minutes
1 ¼ hours
45 minutes /45 minutes
/ 20 minutes
2 hours
3 ¼ hours
Page 41
Frequency
Every 30 minutes
Every 2 hours
1 or 2 per hour
Every 2 hours
Hourly
January 2006
7.
SCENIC RAIL ROUTES IN BRITAIN
There are many rail lines in Britain which are worth the trip just for the scenery.
Below is a list of routes which should be traversed in daylight hours. Remember
during the summer in Scotland daylight ends around 10 pm which gives you
extra hours for touring! Travel times on these routes vary.
Scotland
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
Inverness to Wick/Thurso
Glasgow to Oban/Ft William and Mallaig
Perth to Inverness
Glasgow to Stranraer
Edinburgh to Dundee
Newcastle to Edinburgh (Northumbria
Coast)
South East
Lewes to Hastings
Guildford to Havant
Folkestone to Dover
Hastings – Rye – Ashford International
North Country
Leeds to Carlisle via Settle
Middlesborough to Whitby
Manchester to Sheffield
Newcastle to Carlisle
Preston to Carlisle (Lake District)
Cumbrian Coast Line
Wales
Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth or Pwllheli
Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Shrewsbury to Swansea
Swansea to Pembroke
East Anglia & Central England
Norwich to Sheringham
Norwich/Ipswich to Lowestoft
Ely to Norwich
Oxford to Hereford
West Country
Exeter to Penzance
Liskeard to Looe
Truro to Falmouth
St Erth to St Ives
Bristol to Weymouth
Salisbury to Exeter
Page 42
January 2006
8.
ARRIVING IN BRITAIN BY AIR
There are multitudes of different ways to get from an airport into town – listed
below are the choices and views of when to take the various options for each
airport.
London Heathrow
1. Heathrow Express - This is the quickest way to get from any Heathrow Terminal
to central London. It runs every 15 minutes and takes just 15 minutes to London
Paddington and London’s West End. A roundtrip journey is less expensive than
a one-way taxi for 1 or 2 people. Once at London Paddington, there is a
connecting coach service to the Marble Arch/Oxford Street area for £2. This
coach meets each Heathrow Express train. Taxis & Taxi Share are also available
at London Paddington station for onward travel. London Paddington station is
also the London station serving Oxford, Bath, Bristol, South Wales and Devon &
Cornwall.
Hours: Heathrow Express operates from Heathrow from 0507 to 0001 daily.
2. London Underground - The Tube: This is the cheapest way to travel into
London from Heathrow and is included in a London Visitor Travelcard. Heathrow
Airport is on the Piccadilly line which serves the West End Euston and Kings
Cross Stations. If cost is an issue and your client is travelling with little luggage
this is your best bet. The Tube can be busy, but getting on at Heathrow means
that you will in any case get a seat! The journey time from Heathrow to Central
London/Kings Cross or Euston is about 1 hour.
3. Taxis - At first, taxis may appear to be the most convenient for travel to and from
the airport. However, they are costly (£30-£50 one way convert to $US53-89)
and can be slow, especially during morning rush hour into London and out in the
evening. Travel time can vary and may take well over an hour to get to central
London. Tip: If the client is normally a ‘taxi person’ then give Heathrow Express
a try – chances are they’ll prefer it.
4. Heading West - Finally, if you are heading to Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Cornwall or
Devon, it is suggested that you avoid London altogether. Take the dedicated Rail
Air Link coach from Heathrow Terminals to Reading Rail Station. At Reading,
there are a lot of services to the West Country and Wales. It is little known but
true that by using this service it can be a much better way to get to Birmingham
too. Not only is it quicker, but it is easier, with no cross London transfer. Just
hop off the regular coach at Reading onto a Birmingham bound train. A ticket
can be purchased for this service from the coach driver (cost approx £7 or
approx $US13). It is not included in a BritRail Pass.
Page 43
January 2006
London Gatwick
1. It is simple really – take the train. Following railway privatisation there are 3
companies which provide service between Gatwick and Central London

Gatwick Express: dedicated link departs every 15 minutes with a 30
minute journey time. Hours of operation –
From Gatwick: ¼ hourly service begins at 0550 until 0050, then hourly
From Victoria: ¼ hourly service begins at 0500 until midnight, then hourly.

Southern: commuter service that also runs to London Victoria.
makes stops en route the service takes a little longer.

Thameslink – commuter service between Gatwick and London Kings
Cross Thameslink Station which is about 200 yards from Kings Cross
mainline terminal. Service operates approximately every 30 minutes.
This service is best if you are going directly to Kings Cross for trains to
Scotland. This route helps to avoid a tube/taxi transfer.
2. Taxis from Gatwick to Central London can be long and expensive.
Airport is 27 miles south of London.
As it
Gatwick
Note! Validated BritRail Consecutive, Flexi & London
Plus Passes are valid on any train!
3. Travelling from Gatwick directly to the West Country or South Wales it is
suggested that the Gatwick to Reading rail service is used. It runs frequently (at
least hourly), avoids a cross London transfer and is usually faster. Connections
are available at Reading into services which originate at London Paddington.
4. Heading south from Gatwick, trains go directly to coastal towns such as Brighton,
Eastbourne and many others.
London Stansted
Stansted Express trains run directly from the Airport to London Liverpool Street
Station in 42 minutes. Stansted Airport is also the starting point for a regular
service that runs cross country through Cambridge, Peterborough (for
connections to York and Edinburgh), to Birmingham, Liverpool or Manchester.
London Luton
Travel non-stop between Luton Airport and London (Blackfriars, Farringdon, and
Kings Cross Thameslink.
Page 44
January 2006
Trains every 15 minutes run directly from the Airport station to London Kings
Cross Thameslink Station in 45 minutes. Service also runs every 15 minutes
from Luton Airport to the East Midlands including Nottingham, Leicester, Derby,
Sheffield and Leeds. The Airport station is a short free bus ride from the airport
terminal.
Birmingham Airport
Birmingham International has its own rail station on the main London to
Birmingham rail route. Birmingham New Street Station, right in the heart of
Birmingham can be reached easily in 10 minutes. London Euston is only 1 hour
and 20 minutes away. Trains run at half hourly intervals in both directions for
most of the day (hourly on Sundays).
Manchester Airport
The rail station is part of the airport buildings, and has great rail connections.
Apart from a quick and frequent service to Manchester itself, Manchester Airport
rail station has service to places such as Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Blackpool,
Windermere (Lake District), Chester and Liverpool, Sheffield. With such
convenient rail service from the airport, Manchester is now a great place to arrive
in the UK!
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport is not equipped with its own rail station. Therefore it is
necessary to take a bus link to Paisley Gilmour St and then the train to Glasgow
– which takes about 45 minutes. If the final destination is Glasgow and the client
has baggage it is perhaps easiest to get a taxi or the direct a bus link.
Page 45
January 2006
9. RESERVATIONS POLICY AND ADVICE
Trains in Britain run very frequently. Routes to/from London have at least one
train an hour throughout the day in nearly every case and often more, especially
to popular tourist destinations such as Bath, Edinburgh and York. It is therefore
perfectly acceptable to ‘turn up and go’ - most people do! Indeed, this is what we
advise and suggest. Our Pass products and Point-to-Point tickets are made for
this type of flexibility - linger in London, explore for longer in Edinburgh, get
curious in Chester. The choice is yours. Your plans can be as structured as you
wish. A touring vacation with a BritRail Pass means that itineraries or routes can
be planned but last minute changes can always be made – if it is raining in
London it probably isn’t in Norwich! You don’t book road space when you rent a
car and you need not book a seat on a train in advance!
It should also be noted that British trains are very different tofrom American trains
or European TGV style trains where a reservation is required. In Britain,
frequency is the key and is the big difference in making touring so easy.
Are there times when it is advisable to reserve a seat?
Whilst we advise maximum flexibility there are some occasions when we do
advise reservations. Seat reservations guarantee a seat and give you peace of
mind.
-
-
Peak times on long haul trains, Fridays, Sunday afternoon/evenings during
holidays and on Summer Saturdays to the country. Like most people, Britons
enjoy their weekends so Friday afternoons can also be busy especially out of
London, particularly in Standard Class.
In First Class, if should you be taking a very early morning business train (say
before 9 am) from London, Leeds, York, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol,
Cardiff, Bath or Newcastle.
If you are travelling on a long journey in a small group, particularly if you are
travelling from London to Scotland.
If you are travelling out of London during the evening rush hour.
How are Seat Reservations made?
Before Departure
Seat reservations can be made through an authorized ACP RailNet outlet,
through the North American call centre or through the BritRail website. Note that
most train services are No Smoking. Seat reservations cost $10 USD per person
per train
Page 46
January 2006
Upon Arrival
A reservation can be made at any station up to about 2 hours before the train
departs. In some cases a booking must book be made further in advance.
Page 47
January 2006
10. SLEEPER RESERVATIONS
Sleepers leave London Euston station Sunday to Friday nights with service to
Edinburgh, Glasgow and most major stations on the routes to Inverness,
Aberdeen and Fort William (Caledonian Sleeper). Sleepers are great way to
cover a large distance whilst getting a night’s rest, and saving a night’s hotel
cost.
Sleepers are air-conditioned and have a wash basin. First Class is single berths
and Standard Class is dual occupancy. A light breakfast is served.
To travel in sleepers a supplementas or the inclusive Caledonian package must
be purchased.
Prices in $US
Single*
First
75
Page 48
Standard
65
January 2006
11. RAIL TRAVEL FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS
The Railways of Britain welcome disabled travellers and are committed to making
widespread improvements to stations and trains to make travel easier.
The Railways of Britain ask persons needing assistance to contact the local
station or Train Operating Company. If passengers are unsure as to the number
of the station or the TOC to contact, passengers are advised to contact National
Rail Enquiries when in the UK on 08457 48 49 50. National Rail Enquires have
details of all station and train operator contacts. Passengers will then be able to
contact stations or train operators directly.
GNER which operates the London to Edinburgh route via York has a special
number to call once in the UK for assistance 08457 225 444.
To obtain assistance at the starting station, destination station and any
interchange points en route at least 24 hours notice must be given to the train
operating company of the first part of the journey. Naturally, if advance notice
(24 hours) can be given it will be very helpful in arranging the proper assistance.
If the journey is cancelled please advise the helpline number where the original
journey was planned.
Crossing London – London Transport operates a special service called
StationLink which utilises buses with low access floors, ramps etc. between all
the main London Rail Stations. For details contact:
Unit for Disabled Passengers, London Transport
172 Buckingham Palace Road
London, SW1 9TN
Tel UK 0207 918 3312
Page 49
January 2006
12. CATERING TIPS
This section does not endeavour to tell you about the many wonderful and well
documented quality restaurants available in the UK. Rather, it offers advice for
when your clients are on the move, for drinks and snacks they might need. As
with all travelling, a little bit of pre-planning will work wonders and perhaps save a
mini fortune!
Whilst On Board
Nearly all long haul trains and many regional services have a buffet or trolley
service. The quality is good and the prices reasonable. On board service may be
less comprehensive on weekends. Full meals are available on many GNER,
Virgin and some First Great Western long distance trains.
At Stations
Many larger stations have increasingly impressive retail areas, as well as the fast
food shops such as ‘Pret a Manger’, which have quality healthy sandwiches and
other foods. Remember there is more to take-away in the UK than McDonalds.
If you are in the town or see Marks & Spencers they have a particularly good
‘picnic’ selection again with good healthy foods. These sandwiches, pies and
salads are ideal for train travelling.
Tip! - it is wonderful to have a meal on a train whilst crossing the
countryside.
Page 50
January 2006
13. LUGGAGE TIPS AND TRAVELLING IN BRITAIN
It would be simplistic to say ‘don’t take any’ but………..
Seriously, as with all independent travels the lighter the load the easier it will be.
What do we suggest?
1) Be comfortable and take with what is manageable.
2) Luggage on wheels is a great energy saver.
3) British platforms are the same height as the train carriages so weight lifting is not
a requirement, however, given the generally older infrastructure of hotels,
stations and so on, there are still zones where steps will be encountered.
4) Consider leaving some baggage at the hotel to lighten the load for the real
touring part of the trip and pick it up on the return.
5) Some principle stations have inexpensive, secure luggage facilities – do use
them.
6) If help is needed it is advisable to call the station, preferably in advance.
7) All main stations have luggage trolleys often with staff that can help for a nominal
charge.
8) Don’t hesitate to take a taxi, (especially outside London) where they tend to be
cheaper for journeys within the city/town or to your hotel.
9) Porters are not generally available and trains only stop at intermediate stations
for 2 or 3 minutes so travel light.
10) Train carriages have overhead luggage racks, space between the seats and a
storage area in the entrance vestibules for larger items.
11) Your bags need not inhibit you or cause you to worry, especially if you are
reasonable in what you take.
Page 51
January 2006
14. CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, RESPONSIBILITY &
LIABILITY

Refunds are limited to completely unused and unvalidated passes, tickets etc.
The unused and unvalidated document must be processed by the original selling
point and returned to BritRail.
A minimum 15% Refund and Cancellation Charge will apply.
No refunds are given on reservations, sleepers or the Great British Heritage
Pass.
Refunds and Cancellations can be processed through the booking agent.
Please note that refunds cannot be granted for lost tickets, nor for mutilated,
stolen or destroyed tickets.
It is advisable to take out travel insurance.
Special refunds may be authorized in the event of train service disruption.
The Legal Stuff
Please be advised that the information contained in this Sales Manual was
correct at the time of printing, but that changes may have been made. BritRail
reserves the right to change without prior notice, prices and product detail,
whether or not related to currency fluctuation.
The BritRail Division of ACP Rail International acts only as a booking agent. It
has no control over, and is not responsible for any of the tours, passes,
attractions, hotels and other travel accommodations listed in this manual. All
tickets and vouchers are issued on the express condition that BritRail is not
responsible for any loss (consequential or otherwise), expense, damage, death,
injury, inconvenience caused by or arising out of or in connection with any defect,
negligence, wilful misconduct or other acts or omissions on behalf of the carrier
or supplier.
Every booking is accepted subject to the conditions and tariffs imposed by the
transportation or other supplier.
Page 52
January 2006
Appendix 1
Page 53
January 2006