Bring the whole gang and save a bundle

Rail Europe announces 50% savings with BritRail Party Pass when three to nine passengers travel together

White Plains, NY, June 10, 2004 - The UK is not only easy and appealing for North American travelers - speaking roughly the same language -- to visit, but now it’s even more affordable. The BritRail Party Pass has recently been extended to provide a 50% discount for small groups of up to nine passengers traveling together, according to an announcement by Rail Europe.

Previously, the BritRail Party Pass provided 50% savings for only a third or fourth member of a group; the pass has now been permanently extended to give this discount to the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth person in a group, as well. There is also a BritRail Family Pass enabling one child (age 5-15) to travel by rail free when accompanied by an adult or senior with a full fare adult or senior BritRail Pass. All these passes must be purchased before leaving for the U.K.

The BritRail Party Pass is available for travel throughout England, Scotland and Wales (with a BritRail Consecutive Pass or BritRail Flexipass) or for travel in England only (with a BritRail England Pass) or for travel in the southeast of England only (BritRail London Plus Pass.)

With the BritRail Party Pass the first and second person pay the full fare for one of the above passes and the others pay the Party Pass fare of 50% of that. Each of the eligible passes is available in varying durations (generally 4 days, 8 days, and more.) Full fare for a BritRail Flexipass for 4 days anytime within 2 months, for example, starts at $239 US/$329 CAD in standard class or $349 US/$485 CAD in 1st class. The BritRail England Flexi Pass starts at $189 US/$ 265 CAD (standard class) or $279 US/$389 CAD (1st class) for 4 days within 2 months. The BritRail London Plus Pass starts at $59 US/$ 89 CAD (standard class) or $89 US/$135 CAD (1st class) for 2 days within 8 days.

When the 50% discount is taken for the others in the group, the savings overall are considerable: a group of nine traveling with a 4-day standard class BritRail England Consecutive Pass, for example would pay $115.55 US/$125.28 CAD per person, including the two at full fare and the others at 50%. That represents a 39% discount per person, compared to the full fare. In addition, because two adults in the group paid the full price, two children (5-15) can travel for free. So the group could be 9 adults and two children.

For more information or to book the BritRail Party Pass or any of Rail Europe’s many rail and tour products for the UK or the European continent, contact a travel agent or call 1-888-382-7245 in the US or 1-800-361-7245 in Canada. Or log onto the company’s web site at www.raileurope.com in the US or www.raileurope.ca in Canada.

Photos: members of the press may download high-res photos of Eurostar and other European trains at www.raileurope.com/presspix