Feòrag

Why I don’t travel around the UK as much as I do around Europe, even though getting to Europe is a bit of a pain (thanks, idiots in England):

15 day continuous Interrail 1st Class pass (Adult): €605 (£500)

14 day continuous UK All Line Rail Rover, 1st class (adult): £1387 (€1677)

The Interrail pass includes two “own country” days to get me to the continent, and there is a supplement of €34 each way to use the Eurostar, but it covers almost all of Europe. The All Line Rail Rover covers the UK.

Jan 1, 2025 at 2:23pmWeb
Show threadFeòragJan 1, 2025
I should add that Interrail have regular sales, so my next two trips to Europe were at 25% off.
Show threadFeòragJan 1, 2025
Interrail also comes with other reservation fees and add a booking fee if you go through them. They do let you know if you can book direct though - you can with LNER who do not charge a reservation fee at all. DB is €6.50. I can’t remember what SNCF charged.
Show threadacbJan 1, 2025
@feorag @cstross As a UK national living in Scandinavia, I have wished many times that they would bring back sea crossings between the UK (say, Newcastle or Leith) and Scandinavia (Bergen, Gothenburg and/or Esbjerg).
Show threadFeòragJan 1, 2025
@acb @cstross Ideally operated by Stena, because they give Interrail pass holders a generous discount! Also, I quite like them compared to DFDS.
Show threadsimonbpJan 1, 2025
@feorag @acb @cstross The Stena Belfast-Liverpool line was the best bed I've ever had on a ship. Definitely wouldn't mind it on a trip where you're not turfed out at 6 am.
Show threadMike 🇬🇧 🇪🇺Jan 1, 2025

@feorag
We try to avoid the worst of the border fiasco by using the Harwich ferry - a pleasant overnight sailing with direct trains to Cambridge (for the Midlands) and to that London. (Although we're breaking that general rule this year by using our days to / from Heathrow, St Pancras, Portsmouth & Harwich)

And here's my regular reminder that having a Disabled Railcard allows your companion to get a free pass from the UK #Interrail seller's site.

Show threadFeòragJan 1, 2025
@MikeFromLFE That route’s tricky from Scotland, but I’m using it on my next trip. Stena give Interrail pass holders a generous discount in the low season.
Show threadSteve LoughranJan 1, 2025
@MikeFromLFE @feorag free adult on eurostar? I need to sort out the paperwork. I was only just looking at the logistics of getting folding bikes on it as a precursor to any European tour...
Show threadGary PatersonJan 1, 2025
@feorag if you get the right tickets you can often get a Eurostar for €50 each way.
Show threadGarry KeenorJan 2, 2025
@feorag as an English person I find this post highly offensive. It's the whole of Great Britain that's idiotic, not just England! Also our trains are 3x as comfortable and reliable, which explains the premium 🙃
Show threadFeòragJan 2, 2025
@25kV I have allowed myself a mere 10 hours to change trains in London. Do you think this will be enough?