NEW PRODUCTS AND OFFERS FOR

Transcription

1 BritRail Sales Manual US Edition 2006

2 Contents 1. CONTACTS 4 2 NEW PRODUCTS AND OFFERS FOR PRODUCTS 7 BRITRAIL PASSES BRITRAIL CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS BRITRAIL ENGLAND CONSECUTIVE PASS & FLEXIPASS BRITRAIL PASS + IRELAND BRITRAIL LONDON PLUS PASS BRITRAIL SCOTTISH FREEDOM PASS 13 BRITRAIL POINT TO POINT TICKETS BRITRAIL OPEN POINT TO POINT TICKETS 15 AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAINS HEATHROW EXPRESS GATWICK EXPRESS STANSTED EXPRESS LUTON AIRPORT TRANSFER MANCHESTER AIRPORT TO MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT TO BIRMINGHAM 18 BRITRAIL TRAVEL EXTRAS CALEDONIAN SLEEPERS EUROSTAR LONDON VISITOR TRAVELCARD BRITAINSHRINKERS CITY SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS RAILTOURS IRELAND BATEAUX LONDON & CATAMARAN CRUISERS GREAT BRITISH HERITAGE PASS ENGLISH HERITAGE OVERSEAS VISITOR PASS HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES PASS LONDON PASS YORK PASS DUBLIN PASS EDINBURGH PASS 31 BRITRAIL SEAT & SLEEPER RESERVATIONS SEAT RESERVATIONS SLEEPER RESERVATIONS & SERVICES WHY SHOULD I BUY A BRITRAIL PASS? 33 OUR ADVICE 33 BUT FIRST, WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? 33 ACP Rail International Page 2 January 2006

3 IS A BRITRAIL PASS RIGHT FOR MY CLIENTS? 34 WHY BUY A FIRST CLASS PASS? 34 WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIRST AND STANDARD CLASS IN BRITAIN? 35 DO ALL TRAINS HAVE FIRST CLASS? SUGGESTED ROUTES AND PLANNING A TRIP 36 GETTING TRAIN TIMES SUGGESTED HUB CITIES AND SHORT TRIPS SCENIC RAIL ROUTES IN BRITAIN ARRIVING IN BRITAIN BY AIR 43 London Heathrow 43 London Gatwick 44 London Stansted 44 London Luton 44 Birmingham Airport 45 Manchester Airport 45 Glasgow Airport RESERVATIONS POLICY AND ADVICE 46 Are there times when it is advisable to reserve a seat? 46 How are Seat Reservations made? SLEEPER RESERVATIONS RAIL TRAVEL FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS CATERING TIPS LUGGAGE TIPS AND TRAVELLING IN BRITAIN CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, RESPONSIBILITY & LIABILITY 52 APPENDIX 1 53 ACP Rail International Page 3 January 2006

4 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 Tel: (201) Fax: (201) The Call Centre can be reached: By phone: BRITRAIL or By fax: 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 Title Based Tim Roebuck Managing Director US TimRoebuck@ACPRail.com BritRail Lilianne Operations Manager, US LiliannePopescu@ACPRail.com Popescu Americas Michael Dee Territory Sales US MichaelDee@ACPRail.com Coordinator, Americas Michael Fox Sales Manager, Western US MichaelFox@ACPRail.com USA Sandra Sales Manager, Central US SandraHamilton@ACPRail.com Hamilton USA Fernando Reynoso Sales Manager, Central & South America Mexico FernandoReynoso@ACPRail.com ACP Rail International Page 4 January 2006

5 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. ACP Rail International Page 5 January 2006

6 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. ACP Rail International Page 6 January 2006

7 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. ACP Rail International Page 7 January 2006

8 Prices in $US Adult Guest Pass BritRail Consecutive Pass First Standard 1 st Class addon 4 Days Days Days Days Month Adult Guest Pass BritRail FlexiPass First Standard 1 st Class addon 4 Days in 2 Months Days in 2 Months Days in 2 Months Senior and Youth Discounts:. Senior First Class BritRail Consecutive Youth Standard & First Class 15% 25% BritRail FlexiPass 15% 25% Children Off-Peak Party Discount 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. All Customers receive an additional 25% discount when travelling 1 st January 28 th February 2006 and 1 st November th February The 3 rd to 9 th 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 ACP Rail International Page 8 January 2006

9 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 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. 3.2 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. ACP Rail International Page 9 January 2006

10 Prices in $US BritRail England Consecutive Pass Adult USA Sales Manual 2006 First Standard Guest Pass 1 st Class add-on 4 Days Days Days Days Month BritRail England FlexiPass Adult First Standard VFR 1 st Class add-on 4 Days in 2 Months Days in 2 Months Days in 2 Months Senior and Youth Discounts:. Senior First Class BritRail Consecutive Youth Standard & First Class 15% 25% BritRail FlexiPass 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 Party Discount All customers receive an additional 25% discount when travelling 1 st January 28 th February 2006 and 1 st November th February The 3 rd to 9 th 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 ACP Rail International Page 10 January 2006

11 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 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. 3.3 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 First Standard 5 Days in 1 Month Days in 1 Month Children Children aged 5-15 pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. ACP Rail International Page 11 January 2006

12 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 Independent travellers visiting both Great Britain and Ireland. 3.4 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 Adult First Standard VFR 1 st Class add-on 2 Days in 8 Days Days in 8 Days Days in 15 Days 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. ACP Rail International Page 12 January 2006

13 Youth Seniors Party Discount Age receive a 25% discount on the Adult Fare in First & Standard Class. Age 60 and over receive 15% discount in First Class. The 3 rd to 9 th 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. Off-Peak All customers receive an additional 25% discount when travelling 1 st January 28 th February 2006 and 1 st November th February 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 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! 3.5 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 Standard 4 Days in 8 Days Days in 15 Days 270 ACP Rail International Page 13 January 2006

14 Children Children aged 5-15 pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. 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. ACP Rail International Page 14 January 2006

15 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. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. 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 FAQ Those who are not touring but have a specific journey to make, for example the business traveller. 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. ACP Rail International Page 15 January 2006

16 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 First Class Standard Class Single Return Children Age 5-15 pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. 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 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. 3.8 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 First Class Standard Class Single Return Children Age 5-15 pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. 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 ACP Rail International Page 16 January 2006

17 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 First Class Standard Class Single Return Children Age 5-15 pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. 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) 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 First Class Standard Class Single Return Children Age 5-15 pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. ACP Rail International Page 17 January 2006

18 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 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. ACP Rail International Page 18 January 2006

19 BRITRAIL TRAVEL EXTRAS USA Sales Manual 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 Standard Class One Way Round Trip For Travel between London and Aberdeen, Dundee, Ft. William or Inverness First Class Standard Class One Way Round Trip *Fare includes rail ticket and sleeper reservation supplement. Children Children (5-15) pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free. No 1 st 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. ACP Rail International Page 19 January 2006

20 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 London- Calais 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 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 ALL ZONES (1 to 6) CENTRAL ZONE (1&2) Adult Child Adult Child 3 Days Off-Peak* Days Peak Days Children Age 5 15 pay reduced rate. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. *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 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: ACP Rail International Page 20 January 2006

21 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 ACP Rail International Page 21 January 2006

22 Paris Tour 2 nd Class Paris One Way First Class Paris Tour First Class Round Trip *Paris Overnighter 2 nd Class *Paris Overnighter One way First Class *Paris Overnighter First Class Round Trip RailNet Code Escorted Adult Escorted Child RailNet Code Unescorted Adult Unescorted Child Tour P Tour PU Tour PX Tour PXU Tour PF Tour PFU Tour PN Tour PT Tour PXN Tour PFT Tour PFN Tour PXT ACP Rail International Page 22 January 2006

23 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 Adult Child Coupon for A cities Coupon for B cities Coupon for D cities 21 9 Coupon for E cities 20 8** Coupon for F cities 17 8 Coupon for G cities 16 7* Coupon for H cities 13 7 Coupon for J cities 12 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 Children Ideal for 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. Ages 5-15 pay reduced rate. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. 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! ACP Rail International Page 23 January 2006

24 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. ACP Rail International Page 24 January 2006

25 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. ACP Rail International Page 25 January 2006

26 Tour Price DC01 - Day Tour 115 Waterford, Kilkenny and East Coast DH02 - Day Tour 128 Cork, Blarney Castle, Cobh. DH04 - Day Tour 115 Connemara and Galway Bay DH05 - Day Tour 128 The Ring of Kerry DH06 - Day Tour The Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, 128 Burren and Galway Bay DC08 - Half Day Tour Wicklow Mountains, Ballykissangel, 51 Avoca and Glendalough. DC10 - Day Tour Giant's Causeway, Glens of Antrim, 128 and Wild Atlantic Coast DH11 - Day Tour 153 The Aran Islands in Galway Bay DC12 - Half Day Tour 51 Mystery Tour!!!!! Children Half price for children 5-15 yrs. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket. Other Notes No departures on Sundays and Bank Holidays including St. Patrick s day. Christmas closure from December 21 st to January 3 rd. All tours depart from Dublin 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. Adult Child Classic Lunch Classic Dinner 127 N/A ACP Rail International Page 26 January 2006

27 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) 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. Adult Child *Family All Day Hopper Minute Cruise *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) for timetable and more information 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 Adult 4 Days 55 7 Days Days Month 137 Note: For publicity leaflets, please call us. If you require additional information please visit ACP Rail International Page 27 January 2006

28 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 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 Adult 2 Adults Family 7 Days Days Note: For publicity leaflets, please call us. If you require additional information please visit 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 1 st, ACP Rail International Page 28 January 2006

29 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 Child 4 Palace Pass Palace Pass Central London Palaces Pass Note: For Historic Royal Palaces publicity leaflets, please call us 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 Adult Child 1 Day Days Days Days Note: If you require London Pass publicity leaflets, please call us, or for more information please visit ACP Rail International Page 29 January 2006

30 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 Adult Child 1 Day Days Days Note: If you require York Pass publicity leaflets, please call us, or for more information please see ACP Rail International Page 30 January 2006

31 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 Adult Child 2 Day Days Days 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 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 Adult 2 Days 67 3 Days 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 ACP Rail International Page 31 January 2006

32 BRITRAIL SEAT & SLEEPER RESERVATIONS USA Sales Manual SEAT RESERVATIONS SEAT RESERVATIONS are $10 US per person per train 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. ACP Rail International Page 32 January 2006

33 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. ACP Rail International Page 33 January 2006

34 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. ACP Rail International Page 34 January 2006

35 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. ACP Rail International Page 35 January 2006

36 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 ACP Rail International Page 36 January 2006

37 GETTING TRAIN TIMES Before departure: Detailed up to the minute train times can be obtained from the timetable section of the web site 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 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. ACP Rail International Page 37 January 2006

38 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* Departure Station Bath Birmingham Brighton Brighton Dover 1 hour 20 min 1 hour 21 min 50 mins 50 mins 1 hour 40 min Every 30 mins Every 30 mins Every 30 mins Hourly Every 30 mins Ely Exeter Cambridge Canterbury Hastings Isle of Wight Manchester Norwich Portsmouth Oxford Salisbury Southampton Stratford Upon Avon * Minimum frequency 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 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 Other Hub Cities Short Trips From York Destination Journey Time Frequency Harrogate or 30 minutes Hourly Knaresborough Leeds 30 minutes 4 or 5 per hour Durham 50 minutes At least 2 per hour Scarborough 45 minutes Every 30 mins Settle & Carlisle Line, Full Day Trip Every 2 hours Newcastle Manchester 1 ½ hrs 2 or 3 per hour ACP Rail International Page 38 January 2006

39 Hebden Bridge 1 ½ hrs Hourly USA Sales Manual 2006 Short Trips From Edinburgh Destination Journey Time Frequency Glasgow 50 minutes Every 15 mins Stirling 50 minutes Every 30 mins Perth 50 minutes Hourly Oban 4 hours 4 per day Aberdeen 2 ½ hours Hourly Short Trips From Glasgow Destination Journey Time Frequency Stirling 45 minutes Every 30 mins Q Perth 1 hour Hourly Q Oban 3 hours 3 per day Q Fort William 3 ¾ hours 4 per day Q Edinburgh 50 minutes Every 15 mins Q Ayr 1 hour 2 per hour C Inverness 3 ½ hours Every 2 hr approx Q Q = Glasgow Queen Street Station C = Glasgow Central Station Short Trips From Inverness Destination Journey Time Frequency Kyle of Lochalsh 2 ½ hours 3 per day Wick/Thurso 4 hours 3 per day Aberdeen 2 ¼ hours Every 2 hrs approx Short Trips From Chester Destination Journey Time Frequency Manchester 1 hour Hourly Liverpool 35 minutes Every 30 mins Llandudno 1 ¼ minutes Hourly Conwy 1 ½ hours Hourly Central Wales Line Full Day 3 Daily Shrewsbury 1 hour Hourly Blaenau Ffestiniog 2 hours Every 3 hours Short Trips From Cardiff Destination Journey Time Frequency Caerphilly 20 minutes 2 or 3 trains hourly Trehafod 30 minutes 2 trains hourly Pembroke, Tenby 3 hours Every 2 hours Shrewsbury 2 hours (35min, 1 hour) Hourly (Abergavenny, Hereford) Llandrindod Wells 3 hours 6 trains daily ACP Rail International Page 39 January 2006

40 Bath Spa 1 hour 1 or 2 trains hourly Short Trips From Manchester Destination Journey Time Frequency Liverpool 50 minutes 4 per hour B London 2 hours 20 minutes 2 per hour P Chester 1 hour Hourly P Windermere (Lake District) 1 ¾ hours Hourly P Blackpool 1 ¼ hours 2 per hour P York 1 ½ hours 3 per hour P Llandudno (North Wales 2 ¼ hours Hourly P Coast) Buxton (Peak District) 55 minutes Hourly P B = Both Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly P = Manchester Piccadilly Short Trips From Norwich Destination Journey Time Frequency Sheringham / Cromer (N 1 hour Hourly Norfolk) Lowestoft 40 minutes Hourly Great Yarmouth 30 minutes Hourly Cambridge (or Ely) 1 ½ hours (50 min) 2 per hour Short Trips From Shrewsbury Destination Journey Time Frequency Cardiff 2 hours Hourly Aberystwth 1 ¾ hours 5 per day Harlech/Ffestiniog/Pwhelli 2 ¾ hours to 3 ½ hours Every 2 hours Chester 1 hour Every 1 or 2 hours Short Trips From Birmingham Destination Journey Time Frequency London 1 hour 21 minutes 2 per hour Hereford 1 ½ hours Hourly N Cheltenham 45 minutes 2 per hour N Cardiff 2 hours 3 per hour N Stratford upon Avon 50 minutes Hourly S or M Worcester 55 minutes 2 per hour All Stamford 1 hour 40 minutes Hourly N Shrewsbury 1 hour Every 30 minutes N Warwick 35 minutes 2 per hour S or M M = Moor St Station, N = New Street Station S = Snow Hill Station ACP Rail International Page 40 January 2006

41 Short Trips From Exeter Destination Journey Time Frequency Exmouth 25 minutes Every 30 minutes Barnstaple 1 ¼ hours Every 2 hours Torquay / Paignton / 45 minutes /45 minutes 1 or 2 per hour Dawlish / 20 minutes Salisbury 2 hours Every 2 hours Penzance 3 ¼ hours Hourly ACP Rail International Page 41 January 2006

42 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 ACP Rail International Page 42 January 2006

43 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 ( 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. ACP Rail International Page 43 January 2006

44 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. As it 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. Gatwick Airport is 27 miles south of London. 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. ACP Rail International Page 44 January 2006

45 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. ACP Rail International Page 45 January 2006

46 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 ACP Rail International Page 46 January 2006

47 Upon Arrival USA Sales Manual 2006 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. ACP Rail International Page 47 January 2006

48 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 First Standard Single* ACP Rail International Page 48 January 2006

49 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 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 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 ACP Rail International Page 49 January 2006

50 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. ACP Rail International Page 50 January 2006

51 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. ACP Rail International Page 51 January 2006

52 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. ACP Rail International Page 52 January 2006

53 Appendix 1 USA Sales Manual 2006 ACP Rail International Page 53 January 2006