flatlander

When leaving Kings Cross from deep tube lines, always follow signs to "Hammersmith & City line" up escalators/lifts/stairs until you get to a ticket hall, then leave the station by the nearest route (steps / lift opposite those ticket machines). This avoids the long walk, wherever you are in the train.

Arctic Troll

Virgin Trains East Coast sell tickets on London-Edinburgh trains up to 26 weeks ahead of time.

BalbC

Britrail.net isn't the Britrail site - it's a reseller - ACP Rail International
The Britrail information site is britrail.com which links to the all the different agents that sell the pass (including ACP Rail International)

Reservations are free with a Britrail pass - but you have to do them in person with the pass. The chargeable service is probably effectively a separate reservation without a fare ticket for which there is an admin fee or similar. This is most likely the same charge you faced.

Pa Kettle

Yes. I bought both first class excursions today at a considerably less cost than I first thought. Two tickets from KGX to EDB for GBP81.80 and two from EDB to INV for GBP41.60 using the Two Together Rail Pass.

stut

Not bad! If you haven't printed/downloaded the ticket yet, you can also select seats via the website.

If you want to save time before arriving, incidentally, it is now possible to buy the Two Together Railcard as an app (Apple & Android). You don't need a data connection to use it (although you do, obviously, need some battery life...) If you'd rather have the paper version, it's not a lengthy process - you can download the application form in advance from here:

https://www.twotogether-railcard.co....%20Form(1).pdf

and simply go to a ticket office - with passport photos. Note that standard UK passport photos are slightly smaller than US ones (35mm x 45mm instead of 51mm x 51mm). Not normally an issue, they just take a pair of scissors to it, but do try and pick ones where you don't completely fill the frame.

Pa Kettle

Thanks. I chose seats on the right-hand side of the train for both trips. A suggestion made by Oxon Flyer. I also opted to pick up the tickets at the departure stations and will buy the Two Together Railcard when we get to KGX. And, I did print out the application to fill out in advance, but thanks for the tips on the photos.

stc

At least for some services, once you download / print the tickets they become non-refundable and probably non-changeable. I would recommend saying you will pick up the tickets at your station of first departure.

hoser88

Thanks for all the ideas on this thread. With that, I purchased the Rail Pass and an Oyster Card to get around the UK while I am there. My question is about the Rail Pass. If I want to reserve seats on a train from KGX to EDI, can I do that before hand or should I just wait until I arrive at KGX? The reason behind the Rail Pass is that I don't have to worry about catching a train at a certain time which allows me some flexibility. However, I would like to be able to pick which seat I am in (First Class). Since I am going up to EDI on a Sunday afternoon, am I too assume that the train won't be that full and I shouldn't have any issues with getting a desired seat (right side facing forwards)? All new to me so any help would be appreciated.

Arctic Troll

Sunday afternoon is the busiest time out of London, so if you have a desired seat you should reserve one. Even first class is busy on a weekend because Virgin Trains East Coast sell upgrades for £25 to standard class passengers.

You'll have to reserve a seat by 6pm the day before travel, but the sooner the better. And you can do it at any National Rail ticket office, it doesn't just have to be at Kings Cross.

stut

You could also trying giving Virgin Trains East Coast a call, to explain the situation - that you have a railpass and you want to reserve a seat on a Sunday evening service. They can do reservation-only over the phone, which you can pick up from a ticket machine at the station, but I don't know their policy for passholders. However, it doesn't hurt to try.

https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.co...ntact-details/