UK out of Interrail from Jan 2020
Aug 7, 2019, 8:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,589
UK out of Interrail from Jan 2020
UK pushed out of Interrail scheme after dispute [BBC]
Together with the withdrawal of DB through tickets between London and Germany from November this year, this is a big setback at a time when long-distance rail travel is expanding and gaining a higher profile on several fronts, not least from a climate change/carbon-offset standpoint.
The UK's decades-long membership of the Interrail scheme, which allows people to travel around Europe on a single train ticket, is to end. From January 2020, UK rail journeys will no longer be covered by either the Interrail or Eurail passes, said Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents UK train operators.
Aug 7, 2019, 12:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,343
My understanding is that the Train Operating Companies of Great Britain wish to stop offering a certain level of discounted travel, rather than "the UK" being "forced out" of it. It seems that there is a disagreement between the GB TOCs wishing to offer the Britrail pass.
The railway in Northern Ireland falls under Ireland for the purposes of Interrail.
An Interrail pass can be purchased by citizens and residents of 46 countries - the 45 that form the continent of Europe (including Russia and Turkey) plus Cyprus (which is strictly part of Asia).
However, the passes are only valid in 31 European countries. Therefore when Great Britain withdraws from this agreement, it will join the 15 countries whose citizens/residents may purchase the pass but where it is not valid - these countries include EU members Estonia and Latvia.
Non-citizens/residents of the 46 countries may purchase the Eurail pass which has the same validity as Interrail but costs more.
An Interrail "Global" pass costs €218 for any 3 days within a month ranging to €902 for 3 entire months, and at the moment there are various further discounts. This is valid in all of the 31 countries.
In contrast the Britrail pass (for non-UK citizens/residents), valid only in Great Britain, appears to be €194 for 3 days within a month, while you would need €1815 for 3 full months.
It is not hard to see why GB TOCs would prefer to earn more revenue.
Compare the price to a walk-up ticket from Euston to Manchester in the morning which is Ł175.
The railway in Northern Ireland falls under Ireland for the purposes of Interrail.
An Interrail pass can be purchased by citizens and residents of 46 countries - the 45 that form the continent of Europe (including Russia and Turkey) plus Cyprus (which is strictly part of Asia).
However, the passes are only valid in 31 European countries. Therefore when Great Britain withdraws from this agreement, it will join the 15 countries whose citizens/residents may purchase the pass but where it is not valid - these countries include EU members Estonia and Latvia.
Non-citizens/residents of the 46 countries may purchase the Eurail pass which has the same validity as Interrail but costs more.
An Interrail "Global" pass costs €218 for any 3 days within a month ranging to €902 for 3 entire months, and at the moment there are various further discounts. This is valid in all of the 31 countries.
In contrast the Britrail pass (for non-UK citizens/residents), valid only in Great Britain, appears to be €194 for 3 days within a month, while you would need €1815 for 3 full months.
It is not hard to see why GB TOCs would prefer to earn more revenue.
Compare the price to a walk-up ticket from Euston to Manchester in the morning which is Ł175.
Aug 7, 2019, 12:34 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,589
My understanding is that the Train Operating Companies of Great Britain wish to stop offering a certain level of discounted travel, rather than "the UK" being "forced out" of it. It seems that there is a disagreement between the GB TOCs wishing to offer the Britrail pass.
........
Non-citizens/residents of the 46 countries may purchase the Eurail pass which has the same validity as Interrail but costs more.
........
Non-citizens/residents of the 46 countries may purchase the Eurail pass which has the same validity as Interrail but costs more.
Aug 8, 2019, 9:49 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,589
Just wondering if it was just a bad dream!
UK to stay in Interrail scheme after U-turn [BBC]
UK to stay in Interrail scheme after U-turn [BBC]
UK train companies will stay in the Interrail scheme, reversing Wednesday's decision, the operators' group says.
Robert Nisbet, Director of Nations and Regions at the RDG said: "Following the strong reaction to news of our departure we and Eurail, the company which runs Interrail, renewed talks."We are pleased to be able to tell passengers that we have reached agreement and will be remaining part of both the Interrail and Eurail passes."
Robert Nisbet, Director of Nations and Regions at the RDG said: "Following the strong reaction to news of our departure we and Eurail, the company which runs Interrail, renewed talks."We are pleased to be able to tell passengers that we have reached agreement and will be remaining part of both the Interrail and Eurail passes."