PLANNING YOUR TRIP - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 747

Luton and Gatwick airports, the quickest and most frequent service is the train oper-
ated by First Capital Connect ( & 0845/026-4700; www.firstcapitalconnect.co.
uk). A single fare is £25.

GETTING AROUND
By Train
Train travel in Britain is getting faster and more reliable. It is also a great way to get
around, gliding through the countryside in a comfy seat with a coffee in your hand.
There are two main lines north from London, the East Coast Mainline, which
connects King's Cross with York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh; and the West Coast
Line, which connects Euston Station with Birmingham, Manchester, the Lake Dis-
trict, and Glasgow. London Waterloo has trains to the south coast, Paddington to the
west and Wales. Both also have many lines that serve the Midlands and the areas
north of London. For more information on train connections from London stations
see Chapter 4 “London,” p. 67.
From St. Pancras Station, sandwiched between King's Cross and Euston, there
are high-speed Eurostar services to Paris and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel. Yo u
can now reach Brussels in under 2 hours, and Paris in 2 1 ⁄ 4 hours, making them day-
trip destinations. The station boasts Europe's longest champagne bar, all the Wi-Fi
you'll ever need, plus dozens of stores. In Britain, make reservations for Eurostar by
calling & 0843/2186-186; in North America, book online at www.eurostar.com ,
or contact Rail Europe ( & 800/622-8600, or 800/361-7245 in Canada; www.
raileurope.com). U.S. visitors arriving from Continental Europe should remember
that the validity of the Eurail pass ends at the English Channel. You'll need a separate
BritRail pass if you plan to tour the U.K.
TRAVEL PASSES BritRail passes allow unlimited travel in England, Scotland,
and Wales on any British Rail scheduled train over the whole of the network during
the validity of the pass without restrictions. The passes are not available in England;
you must buy them before you arrive. A BritRail Consecutive Pass allows you to
travel for a consecutive number of days. In first class, adults pay $269 for 3 days,
$339 for 4 days, $485 for 8 days, $725 for 15 days, $919 for 22 days, and $725 for 1
month. In second class, fares are $179 for 3 days, $225 for 4 days, $319 for 8 days,
$485 for 15 days, $609 for 22 days, and $725 for 1 month. Seniors (60 and older)
qualify for discounts in first-class travel and pay $229 for 3 days, $289 for 4 days,
$409 for 8 days, $615 for 15 days, $779 for 22 days, and $925 for 1 month. Passen-
gers 25 and younger qualify for a Youth Pass. In second class, rates are $145 for 3
days, $179 for 4 days, $259 for 8 days, $389 for 15 days, $489 for 22 days, and $925
for 1 month. One child (aged 14 and under) can travel free with each adult or senior
pass when the BritRail Family Pass is requested while buying the adult pass. Addi-
tional children pay half the regular adult fare.
More versatile is the BritRail FlexiPass, allowing you to travel when you want
during a 2-month period. In first class, it costs $339 for 3 days, $425 for 4 days, $619
for 8 days, and $925 for 15 days. In second class, it costs $229 for 3 days, $285 for
4 days, $619 for 8 days, and $625 for 15 days.
For information contact BritRail ( & 866/BRIT-RAIL [274-8724] in the U.S.
and Canada; www.britrail.com). In Canada, also see www.britainontrack.com.

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