By Carl H. Larsen Progress has taken a few steps back to yesteryear in Porthmadog, the Welsh town that has become one of the world’s top steam-railway centers. Each year about 300,000 steam-locomotive enthusiasts and day-trippers from around the globe make their way to this town of 4,000 on the Welsh coast. They come to...Read More

By Patti Nickell I’ve enjoyed a life-long love affair with trains.   As a child, my favorite bedtime lullaby was the nearby mournful whistle of a train, bound for somewhere unknown, taking those lucky enough to be aboard on a fascinating adventure. Sadly, I live in a country more enamored of fast automobiles than slow-moving trains. ...Read More

By Sharon Whitley Larsen “You must go to St. Ives!” our British friend in Yorkshire told us. My husband Carl and I, longtime Anglophiles, have toured most of the United Kingdom — mostly by train, which we love. Recently, after revisiting North Wales and Liverpool and with our eight-day BritRail Flexi-Passes in hand, we were...Read More

Although it’s no big surprise that London is listed as #1, it’s clear that there are a number of other exciting cities that also attract visitors throughout Britain.  For example, at #2 the beautiful city of Edinburgh is an enchanting place to explore, where Edinburgh Castle sits atop Castle Rock and offers amazing views of...Read More

By Carl H. Larsen I didn’t know my BritRail Pass allowed me to walk back in time, so it was a surprise to learn that pass holders can receive substantial discounts on a wide number of “heritage railways” throughout the UK, many of which run trains operated by steam locomotives.Heritage railways are abandoned rail lines...Read More

by Sharon Whitley Larsen “Is this your first time on a sleeper train?” asked affable David, the ScotRail lounge car attendant, as he poured me a glass of wine, the lights of a small town passing fleetingly by in the dark window. I assured him that I had been on numerous overnight trains: from London...Read More

A BritRail Pass doesn’t include travel on London’s city transport.  However, one of the best features of train travel is that you arrive in the city center so from there, the closest underground or bus is usually just a hop, skip or jump away…especially in London. For those visitors that plan on visiting London, an...Read More

Great value on autumn and winter travel Now’s the time to appreciate low season travel to Britain, where you can avoid the summer crowds and enjoy great savings!  Explore England, Scotland and Wales this November, December, January or February and save up to 20% off BritRail’s most popular passes. Take the classic BritRail Pass: for...Read More

by Sharon Whitley Larsen My husband Carl and I travel often to the U.K.–and we’re always thrilled to have our 4- or 8-day BritRail Flexi-Passes in hand!  Train journeys across England, Scotland, and Wales are some of our most memorable experiences–whether it’s a sleeper excursion, day-long trip, or simply short commuter travel. And one especially stands out in my...Read More

Explore its rugged coastal & lush green landscapes Ireland draws visitors from around the world thanks to a number of reasons…all of which are uniquely Irish!  Whether it’s to hike along Ireland’s rocky cliffs, converse in a cozy pub while enjoying a pint of Guinness, walk the Giant’s Causeway, dance a jig to traditional music,...Read More