The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-that-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9

On 06/04/2024 19:05, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:
> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>
> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-that-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9

Seems to be picked up from the Daily Express. The BritRail pass has
never been available to the locals but they appear to have just
discovered that.
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

It appears that Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> said:
>On 06/04/2024 19:05, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:
>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>
>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-that-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>
>Seems to be picked up from the Daily Express. The BritRail pass has
>never been available to the locals but they appear to have just
>discovered that.

Uh, yeah. Here's a US price list from 1997:

https://web.archive.org/web/19970328093303/http://www.britrail.com/us/passes/passes.htm

I am pretty sure they were available when I visited in the 1970s.

--
Regards,
John Levine, johnl@taugh.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies",
Please consider the environment before reading this e-mail. https://jl.ly

On Sat, 6 Apr 2024 19:41:54 +0100, Graeme Wall
<rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>On 06/04/2024 19:05, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:
>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>
>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-that-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>
>Seems to be picked up from the Daily Express. The BritRail pass has
>never been available to the locals but they appear to have just
>discovered that.

I bought them for two visits: one in '89 and one in '90. From memory
both were for two weeks unlimited though I cannot recall the cost,
apart from being a deal of a steal.

Strangely, I can't see a way to find the passes directly on The
Trainline homepage. A linked search brings up pricing declared as of
2020:

"*Prices are correct as of August 2020 and are subject to change
without notice. All post-sale care and communications will be with the
third party booking company."

<https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/rail-passes/britrail-pass>

And that £568 quoted in the msn/Daily Express story is the one-month
variety from that.

Going to another source:

<https://www.acprail.com/rail-passes/britrail/>

And using that for a 28-day consecutive pass for a Senior brings up an
E-pass costing $CAD949 standard class, which would be about correct.

So mebbe the price-warning date on the site hasn't been updated.

On Sat, 6 Apr 2024 19:41:54 +0100, Graeme Wall
<rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>On 06/04/2024 19:05, Jack Harry Teesdale wrote:
>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>
>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-that-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>
>Seems to be picked up from the Daily Express. The BritRail pass has
>never been available to the locals but they appear to have just
>discovered that.
>
The Express (modern incarnation) has yet to discover fresh news.

In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:

>The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>
>https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9

These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
I was temporarily resident overseas.

In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
ticketing system.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>
>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>
>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>
> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>
> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
> ticketing system.

Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
Switzerland.

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>
>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>
>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>
>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>
>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>> ticketing system.
>
> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
> Switzerland.
>
>
Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
country offerings.

On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

>Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>
>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>
>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>
>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>
>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>> ticketing system.
>>
>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>> Switzerland.
>>
>>
>Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>country offerings.

Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the home country, so not quite the same as
foreign-only passes.

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>
>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>
>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>
>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>> ticketing system.
>>>
>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>> Switzerland.
>>>
>>>
>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>> country offerings.
>
> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
> home country, so not quite the same as
> foreign-only passes.
>

Single country passes don’t allow this.

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>
>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>
>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>
>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>
>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>> country offerings.
>>
>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>> home country, so not quite the same as
>> foreign-only passes.
>>
>
> Single country passes don’t allow this.

Ah, I wasn't sure about that.

On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>
>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>
>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>
>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>> country offerings.
>>>
>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>> foreign-only passes.
>>
>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>
> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.

Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
the foreign bit.

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>
>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>
>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>> country offerings.
>>>
>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>
>>
>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>
> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>
>

We’ve used the single country Switzerland pass a couple of times, with a
flight to Zurich. 1st class isn’t a huge amount more than 2nd, and you
often get all or most of a carriage to yourself.

Certes <Certes@example.org> wrote:
> On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>>
>>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>>> country offerings.
>>>>
>>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>
>>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>>
>> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>
> Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
> within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
> to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
> the foreign bit.
>

Yes, good point.

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Certes <Certes@example.org> wrote:
>> On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>>>> country offerings.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>>
>>>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>>>
>>> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>>
>> Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
>> within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
>> to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
>> the foreign bit.
>>
>
> Yes, good point.
>
>

The cheapest pass that would allow a return journey within GB is £242
second class. £219 for an over 60. An astute gripper might notice no
continental travel with a paper ticket. Not sure if the app version is
programmed not to allow a GB return trip without an intervening continental
journey, but I suppose there is nothing to stop you generating such a trip
and claiming your barcode was never scanned. Presumably a series of lightly
used passes would raise an alert.

On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 16:38:16 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

>Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Certes <Certes@example.org> wrote:
>>> On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
>>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>>>>> country offerings.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>>>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>>>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>>>
>>>>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>>>>
>>>> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>>>
>>> Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
>>> within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
>>> to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
>>> the foreign bit.
>>>
>>
>> Yes, good point.
>>
>>
>
>The cheapest pass that would allow a return journey within GB is £242
>second class. £219 for an over 60. An astute gripper might notice no
>continental travel with a paper ticket.

In my experience, the Continental grippers often don't bother to check the journey log in paper passes, let alone stamp
each one. So you could legitimately 'return' from a European trip with a list of credible journeys, none stamped by
local grippers.

> Not sure if the app version is
>programmed not to allow a GB return trip without an intervening continental
>journey, but I suppose there is nothing to stop you generating such a trip
>and claiming your barcode was never scanned. Presumably a series of lightly
>used passes would raise an alert.

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 16:38:16 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Certes <Certes@example.org> wrote:
>>>> On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
>>>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>>>>>> country offerings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>>>>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>>>>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>>>>
>>>> Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
>>>> within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
>>>> to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
>>>> the foreign bit.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Yes, good point.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> The cheapest pass that would allow a return journey within GB is £242
>> second class. £219 for an over 60. An astute gripper might notice no
>> continental travel with a paper ticket.
>
> In my experience, the Continental grippers often don't bother to check
> the journey log in paper passes, let alone stamp
> each one. So you could legitimately 'return' from a European trip with a
> list of credible journeys, none stamped by
> local grippers.

I’ve done two Interrail trips, one on paper and one with the app. The
first time I was filling in the paper list for 6 people - it was easier
than trying to explain train numbers and things to the rest of the party -
and the second time I had two passes on my phone. We travelled as far as
Mannheim and back on several hops (and used a local ticket in the Rhine
gorge area).

The only time anyone really checked the pass was on the last trip home on
LNER. Before that there had been some waves of a scanner or just a
perfunctory wave, but the gripper on the Azuma insisted on both checking
the QR codes and also seeing the ID we had used to obtain the pass,
passports in our case. He was quite abrupt and stern.

I don’t know if there has been an epidemic of old people fudging it on
Interrail passes but it was marginally disturbing!

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

In message <uv0cp0$3di9l$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:18:24 on Mon, 8 Apr
2024, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:

>The only time anyone really checked the pass was on the last trip home on
>LNER. Before that there had been some waves of a scanner or just a
>perfunctory wave, but the gripper on the Azuma insisted on both checking
>the QR codes and also seeing the ID we had used to obtain the pass,
>passports in our case. He was quite abrupt and stern.

The ghost of GNER lives on!
--
Roland Perry

Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 16:38:16 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Certes <Certes@example.org> wrote:
>>>>> On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
>>>>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>>>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>>>>>>> country offerings.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>>>>>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>>>>>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>>>>>
>>>>> Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
>>>>> within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
>>>>> to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
>>>>> the foreign bit.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yes, good point.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> The cheapest pass that would allow a return journey within GB is £242
>>> second class. £219 for an over 60. An astute gripper might notice no
>>> continental travel with a paper ticket.
>>
>> In my experience, the Continental grippers often don't bother to check
>> the journey log in paper passes, let alone stamp
>> each one. So you could legitimately 'return' from a European trip with a
>> list of credible journeys, none stamped by
>> local grippers.
>
> I’ve done two Interrail trips, one on paper and one with the app. The
> first time I was filling in the paper list for 6 people - it was easier
> than trying to explain train numbers and things to the rest of the party -
> and the second time I had two passes on my phone. We travelled as far as
> Mannheim and back on several hops (and used a local ticket in the Rhine
> gorge area).
>
> The only time anyone really checked the pass was on the last trip home on
> LNER. Before that there had been some waves of a scanner or just a
> perfunctory wave, but the gripper on the Azuma insisted on both checking
> the QR codes and also seeing the ID we had used to obtain the pass,
> passports in our case. He was quite abrupt and stern.
>
> I don’t know if there has been an epidemic of old people fudging it on
> Interrail passes but it was marginally disturbing!
>
> Sam
>

Last summer in Switzerland SBB grippers scanned the app QR code and also
asked to see passports, without fail. RhB grippers scanned tickets but
didn’t ask for passports. But they were always friendly.

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 16:38:16 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Certes <Certes@example.org> wrote:
>>>>>> On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
>>>>>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>>>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>>>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>>>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>>>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>>>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>>>>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>>>>>>>> country offerings.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>>>>>>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>>>>>>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
>>>>>> within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
>>>>>> to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
>>>>>> the foreign bit.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, good point.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The cheapest pass that would allow a return journey within GB is £242
>>>> second class. £219 for an over 60. An astute gripper might notice no
>>>> continental travel with a paper ticket.
>>>
>>> In my experience, the Continental grippers often don't bother to check
>>> the journey log in paper passes, let alone stamp
>>> each one. So you could legitimately 'return' from a European trip with a
>>> list of credible journeys, none stamped by
>>> local grippers.
>>
>> I’ve done two Interrail trips, one on paper and one with the app. The
>> first time I was filling in the paper list for 6 people - it was easier
>> than trying to explain train numbers and things to the rest of the party -
>> and the second time I had two passes on my phone. We travelled as far as
>> Mannheim and back on several hops (and used a local ticket in the Rhine
>> gorge area).
>>
>> The only time anyone really checked the pass was on the last trip home on
>> LNER. Before that there had been some waves of a scanner or just a
>> perfunctory wave, but the gripper on the Azuma insisted on both checking
>> the QR codes and also seeing the ID we had used to obtain the pass,
>> passports in our case. He was quite abrupt and stern.
>>
>> I don’t know if there has been an epidemic of old people fudging it on
>> Interrail passes but it was marginally disturbing!
>>
>> Sam
>>
>
> Last summer in Switzerland SBB grippers scanned the app QR code and also
> asked to see passports, without fail. RhB grippers scanned tickets but
> didn’t ask for passports. But they were always friendly.

Interesting. When we did Milano - Lausanne a couple of years ago we didn’t
see any staff on the SBB train from Brig to Lausanne (the most comfortable
and least crowded train of the whole trip). In fact I realised when I got
home that I’d forgotten to write that one on the Interrail train list!

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 16:38:16 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Certes <Certes@example.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> On 07/04/2024 16:15, Recliner wrote:
>>>>>>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> In message <uus2u6$27ijj$1@dont-email.me>, at 19:05:58 on Sat, 6 Apr
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2024, Jack Harry Teesdale <noreply492000-medic@yahoo.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Trainline ticket app is offering a cut price "BritRail" pass
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> offering unlimited rail travel - but only if you're not a UK citizen.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/brits-furious-about-train-pass-tha
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> t-offers-unlimited-uk-travel-but-only-for-non-citizens/ar-BB1l7Et7?cvid=
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a71d86a7acb049bebca00a4351ecde3f&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=9
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> These have been available for decades, I bought one over 20yrs ago when
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I was temporarily resident overseas.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> In effect All-Line-Rovers (although several are Some-lines-Rovers) not
>>>>>>>>>>>>> aimed at bashers but tourists simply wanting a convenient way to travel
>>>>>>>>>>>>> while on holiday in the UK, without having to grapple with our Byzantine
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ticketing system.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Such visitor tickets exist in other countries, too, such as Japan and
>>>>>>>>>>>> Switzerland.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Most of Europe - Interrail. No longer age restricted and multiple or single
>>>>>>>>>>> country offerings.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Yes, though they also allow an outbound and return journey through the
>>>>>>>>>> home country, so not quite the same as
>>>>>>>>>> foreign-only passes.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Single country passes don’t allow this.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Ah, I wasn't sure about that.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Some single-country passes are a lot cheaper than many return trips
>>>>>>> within Britain, so I expect it avoids someone travelling from Manchester
>>>>>>> to London and back buying a pass for Lichtenstein and forgetting to do
>>>>>>> the foreign bit.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, good point.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The cheapest pass that would allow a return journey within GB is £242
>>>>> second class. £219 for an over 60. An astute gripper might notice no
>>>>> continental travel with a paper ticket.
>>>>
>>>> In my experience, the Continental grippers often don't bother to check
>>>> the journey log in paper passes, let alone stamp
>>>> each one. So you could legitimately 'return' from a European trip with a
>>>> list of credible journeys, none stamped by
>>>> local grippers.
>>>
>>> I’ve done two Interrail trips, one on paper and one with the app. The
>>> first time I was filling in the paper list for 6 people - it was easier
>>> than trying to explain train numbers and things to the rest of the party -
>>> and the second time I had two passes on my phone. We travelled as far as
>>> Mannheim and back on several hops (and used a local ticket in the Rhine
>>> gorge area).
>>>
>>> The only time anyone really checked the pass was on the last trip home on
>>> LNER. Before that there had been some waves of a scanner or just a
>>> perfunctory wave, but the gripper on the Azuma insisted on both checking
>>> the QR codes and also seeing the ID we had used to obtain the pass,
>>> passports in our case. He was quite abrupt and stern.
>>>
>>> I don’t know if there has been an epidemic of old people fudging it on
>>> Interrail passes but it was marginally disturbing!
>>>
>>> Sam
>>>
>>
>> Last summer in Switzerland SBB grippers scanned the app QR code and also
>> asked to see passports, without fail. RhB grippers scanned tickets but
>> didn’t ask for passports. But they were always friendly.
>
> Interesting. When we did Milano - Lausanne a couple of years ago we didn’t
> see any staff on the SBB train from Brig to Lausanne (the most comfortable
> and least crowded train of the whole trip). In fact I realised when I got
> home that I’d forgotten to write that one on the Interrail train list!
>
> Sam
>

The passport demanding seems new. In previous years it didn’t happen.