2018 Rover Guide
RAIL’s Fares and Services Expert BARRY DOE delivers his annual comprehensive guide to Britain’s Rail Rovers
RAIL’s fares and Services Expert BARRY DOE presents his annual comprehensive guide to Britain‘s summer services.
Once again, I present my annual review of Rovers. And I begin by saying that little has changed on the National Rail site, where much information remains incomplete or out-ofdate. No single site spells out the full picture that is shown here.
I can be confident that the prices quoted here are accurate, not least because a majority of Rovers are managed by Great Western Railway (GWR) and Northern, both of whom are really helpful in giving me information well in advance.
However, I am also grateful to all those who have assisted, the others being the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Arriva Trains Wales, East Midlands Trains, Greater Anglia, ScotRail and West Midlands Trains.
The prices shown apply from May 20, although a few products will be slightly cheaper before then.
In general, Rovers remain excellent value. There has been some criticism of large rises in a few cases, but this has to be seen in context. For example, the Kent Rover rose 14% this year, but prior to that it had not increased since January 2013. So effectively, the recent change only represents an average of 2.5% per annum.
Similarly, some of the large West Country GWR Rovers had significant rises in May 2017, as they had previously been undercutting normal fares. However, this year they have only risen 3.5%.
Remember, an any-3-days-in-7 Devon & Cornwall Rover does allow a return valid a week between Axminster and Penzance for £ 50.80, and throws in unlimited travel on a day in between. Yet one Off-Peak Return alone is £ 42.90.
Once again, even more Rovers can be discounted with a Forces Railcard. Yet it still isn’t national - I’m sure merely because those operators that don’t accept it have never even thought about it. That’s the chaotic way our railway system is now run.
I have to say, however, that my greatest criticism must be regarding dreadful websites. Over recent years, most operator websites have ceased being informative. They are now merely sites that want to sell you tickets and reluctantly add some other information in the background - if you can find it!
Many mention Rovers or Rangers, saying they are valid ‘Off-Peak’ but without saying what that means. And how I hate the silly phrase that off-peak services are “our quieter trains”, which is often not true and is meaningless to anyone setting out on a journey.
General
As usual, this review covers all Rovers and Day Rangers outside the Passenger Transport Executives and London, starting with the All-Line Rover then covering Britain north to south. The criterion for an entry is that the ticket includes unlimited travel for at least one day over a network that is part of the National Rail system. If tickets are also valid on private railways, this is stated.
Please read carefully the ‘Definitions’, where I give copious information on time restrictions,
how to calculate fares for accompanying children (which vary according to the railcard), minimum fares, and time availability with the Network Railcard and Gold Card.
‘Small print’ definitions are complicated, but worth pondering. For example, with a 7-day Rover advertised as ‘from 0930’ (which means from 0930 on Mon-Fri), one issued Wednesday until Tuesday will commence 0930 Wednesday, expire 0429 on the second Wednesday (day 8), and not be valid from 0430 until 0929 inclusive on Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday.
In particular, the expiry date shown on the ticket will be the Tuesday, even though it remains valid for another 4hrs 29mins into Wednesday - although all travel must have ceased by then.
The exceptions are Arriva Trains Wales’ Rovers which, for some reason, expire at midnight. I’m not even sure that is actually allowed under national rules, but that’s another story!
Seasons
As ordinary season tickets are valid by all permitted routes, many effectively offer a network, and so can be excellent value for a holiday. Also, they are not time-restricted.
So, a Weekly Season from Bournemouth to London, for example, is £168.30 Standard or £ 277.70 First Class, and you get validity as follows:
Bournemouth-Waterloo via Woking, including from Weybridge via Chertsey; Bournemouth-Waterloo via Reading and Staines; Bournemouth-Paddington via Reading; Bournemouth-Waterloo via Portsmouth and Guildford, including from Guildford via Effingham Junction; Bournemouth-Victoria via Horsham; Bournemouth-Victoria via Brighton.
As usual, for ‘Waterloo’ or ‘ Victoria’ above, read also Charing Cross, London Bridge, Cannon Street and City Thameslink.
Bearing in mind one Anytime Day Return to London is £111.70 Standard or £184.30 First, and even an Off-Peak Day Return is £ 59.40 Standard, £ 98 First Class, a Weekly is excellent value. Do remember 7-day seasons can commence any day, but you do need a photocard.
Still a lack of publicity
It is now seven years since the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said that one advantage of the-then new All-Line time restrictions was that operators were more content to advertise its existence, now that business abstraction had been removed.
Well, the only operators to advertise the All-Line in their general publicity remain GWR and Northern - and the RDG that subsumed ATOC has produced nothing centrally at all. What other industry would totally ignore its most expensive and comprehensive ticket?
To my knowledge, only GWR sells its Rovers online - and that includes the AllLine. (Southeastern also does, but without any information on what they are, so is best avoided!) Use http://tickets.gwr.com/gw/en/journeyplanning/roversandrangers.
THE ALL-LINE ROVER
All Stations plus the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. On Monday-Friday users may not join or alight after 0429 and before 1000: Virgin West Coast at Euston, Watford Junction, Milton Keynes or Birmingham New Street; East Midlands Trains at St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway, Luton or Bedford; Virgin Trains East Coast at King’s Cross or Stevenage; or CrossCountry at Birmingham New Street.
You may, therefore, do journeys such as Wolverhampton-Coventry with CrossCountry at any time - it is only joining or alighting at New Street that is barred.
Travel is allowed on open access operators’ services, but not steam services, Heathrow Express, TfL Rail (Crossrail) between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow, Eurostar services or London Underground and equivalent PTE Metro systems, although travel on London Overground and TfL Rail (Crossrail, other than to Heathrow, as above) is permitted.
Note First Class versions permit the holder to partake of all complimentary offers, such as evening meals on Virgin West Coast or Virgin Trains East Coast, and access to lounges, as with a normal full fare ticket.
Note the following special railcard arrangements. Discounts are available as usual for holders of Senior (First and Standard), 16-25 (Standard only), Two Together (First and Standard) or Disabled Person’s Railcards (First and Standard) with prices as shown below, but, in addition:
The Standard Class railcard fares are also available to holders of a Family & Friends Railcard. Children must also travel, as usual, and a special child railcard fare is then applicable of £ 96.90 for 7 days or £146.70 for 14 days.
The Standard Class railcard fares are also available to holders of a Forces Railcard and any accompanying children then pay the special rates, as above.
The First Class railcard fares are also available to holders of Forces Railcards. A special child railcard fare is then applicable of £146.70 for 7 days or £ 224 for 14 days. ( These are NOT available to children accompanying holders of Senior or Disabled Persons’ railcards).
Standard Class: 7 days - A: £ 510; R: £ 336.60; C: £ 255. 14 days - A: £ 772; R: £ 509.50; C: £ 386.
First Class: 7 days - A: £ 772; R: £ 509.50; C: £ 386. 14 days - A: £1,179; R: £ 778.15; C: £ 589.50.
SCOTLAND (See also North West Rover)
ScotRail Travelpass and Rovers cannot be used in part-payment towards First Class, nor do they allow Weekend First upgrades. They are not valid on Fort William-Mallaig steam services. They also bar the use of Caledonian Sleeper services except for seats between Edinburgh and Fort William.
Spirit of Scotland Travelpass
All stations Berwick-upon-Tweed, Carlisle and north thereof, plus Edinburgh Trams and Glasgow Subway. Also includes all internal Scottish scheduled Caledonian MacBrayne shipping services (not cruises); Argyll Ferries Gourock-Dunoon; Scottish Citylink/ West Coast Motors services Kyle of Lochalsh-Uig, Inverness-Ullapool, Oban-Campbeltown and Inverness-Oban/Fort William; Stagecoach East Scotland services between Dundee/ Leuchars and St Andrews; Borders Buses from Edinburgh to Carlisle and Melrose; and Stagecoach Highland between Wick/Thurso and Scrabster/John O’Groats and on Skye.
Also 20% off seats on NorthLink Ferries to Orkney and Shetland and Sweeney’s Loch Lomond Cruises; 15% off Cruise Loch Lomond; 10% off Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises and on the Strathspey and the Keith & Dufftown Railways; and £1 off Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway Standard Class fares and City bus tours of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.
From 0915, except valid any time north of Inverness, on Glasgow-Oban/Mallaig services and between Glasgow and Stranraer. Also valid on the seated portion of 0450 Caledonian Sleeper from Edinburgh to Fort William. Also available any time from Lockerbie to Carlisle or Glasgow Central and intermediate stations, but only from (and not to) Lockerbie.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £139; R (inc Forces): £ 91.75; C: £ 69.50. Any 8 days in 15 - A: £179; R (inc Forces): £118.15; C: £ 89.50.
Highland Rover
This consists of two networks linked by Scottish Citylink: Aviemore, Aberdeen and northwards; also Glasgow Queen StreetMallaig/Oban.
Also valid on Scottish Citylink/ West Coast Motors services Inverness-Oban/Fort William, Stagecoach Highland buses Thurso-Scrabster and on Caledonian MacBrayne shipping services Oban-Mull and Mallaig-Skye. 20% off seats on Northlink Ferries to Orkney and Shetland. Not valid on trains arriving Aberdeen or Inverness before 0900.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 85; R (Inc Forces): £ 56.10; C: £ 42.50.
Scottish Grand Tour
Available from May 21 to October 21 2018, it allows one circular journey from either Edinburgh or Glasgow to Mallaig, then the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, a bus to Kyle of Lochalsh via the Skye Bridge, train to Inverness, then back to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Being a circular tour it is not unlimited as a Rover would be, but you are allowed to double back locally in rural areas
The journey can be made clockwise or anticlockwise and breaks are allowed anywhere en route, but all travel must be within a nominated period of any-4-days-in-8.
There are through buses from Armadale to Kyle on Mon-Fri, but at other times a change at Broadford is required ( www.stagecoachbus.com). If you use a taxi instead ( kyletaxis@ aol.com), you can have a 10% discount.
ScotRail services only. Not before 0915 on the Highland Main Line between Edinburgh, Glasgow & Inverness, but otherwise unrestricted.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 89; R (inc Forces): £ 58.75; C: £ 44.50.
Central Scotland Rover
Bounded by Partick-Glasgow Queen StreetCroy-Larbert-Dalmeny-Haymarket-CarstairsHamilton Central-Glasgow Central, plus Larbert-Dunblane/Alloa, Dalmeny-Markinch, Haymarket-Newcraighall/North Berwick, Carluke-Lanark and Hamilton CentralLarkhall. Also includes Glasgow Subway. Not valid on Virgin Trains East Coast or CrossCountry services between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. From 0915.
3 (consecutive) days - A: £ 39; R (inc Forces): £ 25.75; C: £19.50.
The following ticket is included as it covers a much larger area than would a normal PTE-type facility. It is a scratch-off day ticket purchased at many stations.
Strathclyde Daytripper
Bounded by Ardlui, Balloch, Milngavie, Croy, Cumbernauld, Caldercruix, Shotts, Carstairs, Lanark, Larkhall, East Kilbride, Neilston, New Cumnock, Barrhill and the Firth of Clyde and Loch Long coast. Also includes Glasgow Subway. Valid on most bus services and the Kilcreggan and Renfrew ferries. From 0900.
1 day - A: £12.30 (includes up to 2 children, though no children necessary); Family (2 adults + 4 children, no children necessary): £ 21.80.
Glasgow Days Out Travel Pass
Bounded by Helensburgh Central, Balloch, Milngavie, Stirling, Falkirk Grahamston/High,
Caldercruix, Whifflet, Lanark, Larkhall, East Kilbride, Neilston, Kilmarnock, Ayr and the Firth of Clyde coast, plus Falkirk Grahamston-Cumbernauld-Motherwell. ScotRail services only. From 0915 but not valid out of Glasgow Central or Queen Street between 1643 and 1810. Also not valid on the 1815 Glasgow Queen Street-Falkirk High.
2 (consecutive) days - A: £18.50; C: £ 9.25; Family (2 adults + 2 children): £ 35.
Edinburgh Days Out Travel Pass
Bounded by Falkirk High, Stirling, Kirkcaldy, North Berwick, Tweedbank, West Calder and Bathgate. ScotRail services only. From 0915 but not valid out of Edinburgh or Haymarket between 1643 and 1810, except for the 1758 Edinburgh-West Calder. Also not valid on the 1816 Edinburgh-Falkirk High.
2 (consecutive) days - A: £18.50; C: £ 9.25. Family (2 adults + 2 children): £ 35.
‘One-Ticket’ in the Edinburgh area
Run by local authorities in conjunction with over 30 bus operators, ScotRail, Virgin Trains East Coast and CrossCountry, in an area extending to Dundee, Perth, Airdrie, Shotts, Newcraighall and Dunbar. ‘One-Ticket’ is centred on Edinburgh, tickets being available for unlimited travel for a week, month or a year. (Bus-only tickets also have a day version).
Oddly, although the bus area extends south to Hawick and Berwick-upon-Tweed, the rail limit remains Dunbar and the Borders route from Newcraighall to Tweedbank has not been added.
The ticket includes bus travel within the vicinity of a chosen station and unlimited rail travel to and within the Edinburgh zone (bounded by Dalmeny, Wallyford, Gorebridge, Curriehill and Edinburgh Park). It is NOT valid on Edinburgh Trams.
Prices vary from £ 36.10 a week (£1,300 for a year) for the Edinburgh area alone, up to £136 a week (£ 5,316 a year) from Dundee. All versions can be bought online at www.one
ticket.co.uk from where details are available, as well as from stations.
NORTHERN ENGLAND
Note the following seven Rovers/Rangers/ Round Robins all offer travel over the SettleCarlisle Line. Despite the title, Round Robin tickets offer unlimited travel as with any other Day Ranger.
The following North West Rover is notable for its 143-mile stretch of the West Coast Main Line from Lockerbie to Warrington Bank Quay.
North West Rover
Bounded by Carlisle-Settle-LeedsHuddersfield-Manchester PiccadillyStockport-Northwich-Chester-Shotton and the Wirral and Irish Sea coast, plus Dumfries/ Lockerbie/Hexham-Carlisle. Not valid on Grand Central. From 0845, but available any time from Lockerbie to Carlisle and between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness via Whitehaven.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 77; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 50.80; C: £ 38.50. Any 7 days - A: £ 92; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 60.75; C: £ 46.
Settle-Carlisle Line Day Ranger
Carlisle-Bradford Forster Square/Leeds. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 31; R (inc Family & Friends, Forces and Dales Railcards): £ 20.45; C: £15.50. Children accompanying Dales Railcard-holders travel for £ 5.90.
Cumbria Day Ranger
Bounded by Carlisle-Settle-Skipton-Carnforth and the Irish Sea coast, plus Dumfries/Lockerbie/Haltwhistle-Carlisle and Carnforth-Heysham/Preston.
1 day - A: £44.50; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 29.35; C: £ 22.25.
North East Round Robin
Carlisle-Newcastle-York-Garforth-LeedsCarlisle, plus York-Harrogate-Leeds. Not valid on Grand Central. From 0845.
1 day - A: £49.70; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 32.80; C: £ 24.85.
North West Round Robin
Carlisle-Penrith-Preston-Halifax-LeedsCarlisle, plus Long Preston-Carnforth-Lancaster. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 39.30; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 25.95; C: £19.65.
The following North East Rover is notable for its 197-mile stretch of the East Coast Main Line from Retford to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
North East Rover
Bounded by Newcastle-Carlisle-Settle-Bradford Forster Square/Interchange-HalifaxHuddersfield-Sheffield-Retford-Cleethorpes and the North Sea coast, plus Newcastle-Berwick-upon-Tweed. Not valid on Hull Trains or Grand Central. From 0845.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £101; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 66.65; C: £ 59.50. Any 7 days - A £116; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 76.55; C: £ 58.
North Country Rover
Bounded by Newcastle-Carlisle, Hull-SelbyLeeds-Halifax-Preston-Morecambe and the Irish & North Sea coasts. Not valid on Hull Trains or Grand Central. From 0845, but available any time between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness via Whitehaven.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 96; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 63.35; C: £ 48. Note: the following ticket has just been launched.
Northern Explorer 55 West Day Ranger
Carlisle/ Windermere-Carnforth, then bounded by Clitheroe, Colne, Todmorden via Burnley Manchester Road or Walsden, Greenfield, Hadfield, Glossop, Edale, Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Chester, Ellesmere Port and the Wirral and Irish Sea coast to Morecambe. Northern services only. Available only to those aged 55 or over (proof of age required). From 0930.
1 day - A ( 55 or over): £15.
North of England Rover
Hull-Leeds-Stalybridge-Manchester Victoria/ Piccadilly-Liverpool Lime Street, plus
Manchester Piccadilly-Manchester Airport. TransPennine Express services only. From 0930. Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 79; R: (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 52.15; C: £ 39.50.
Next, a batch of 12 Day Rangers - again, note that Round Robin tickets offer unlimited travel as with any other Day Ranger.
East Yorkshire Round Robin
York-Scarborough-Hull-Selby-York. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 24.80; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £16.35; C: £12.40.
Tyne & Tees Day Ranger
Hexham/Morpeth-Saltburn/ Whitby/ Northallerton via Sunderland or Darlington plus Darlington-Bishop Auckland. Not valid on Grand Central. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 22.70; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £15; C: £11.35.
Cleveland Coast & Whitby Day Ranger
Middlesbrough-Whitby/Saltburn. Also valid on Arriva buses in the Teesside and Cleveland bus zones and on services X4 and X93 between them. See www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east. May be bought at stations (or on train where stations are unstaffed), and non-railcard versions may be bought on buses.
1 day - A: £15; R (inc Forces): £ 9.90; C: £ 7.50; Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children): £ 30.
Hadrian’s Wall Country Line Day Ranger
Whitehaven-Sunderland. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 21.70; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £14.35; C: £10.85.
Cumbria Round Robin
Carlisle-Oxenholme-Lancaster-Barrowin-Furness-Whitehaven-Carlisle, plus Oxenholme-Windermere.
1 day - A: £ 31; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 20.45; C: £15.50.
Cumbrian Coast Day Ranger
Carlisle-Whitehaven-Barrow-in-Furness.
1 day - A: £ 20.20; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £13.35; C: £10.10.
Lakes Day Ranger
Lancaster/Heysham-Workington/ Windermere/Penrith. Includes Windermere Lake Cruises (and 20% off Ullswater Steamers) plus all Stagecoach Cumbria bus services, including to Lancaster. Also offers 10% off the Ravenglass & Eskdale and Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railways.
1 day - A: £ 23.80; R (inc Forces): £15.70; C: £11.90; Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children, but no children necessary): £ 46.60.
Yorkshire Coast Day Ranger
Scarborough-Hull. Also valid on the Arriva bus service from Scarborough to Whitby.
1 day - A: £ 21.20; R (inc Forces): £14; C: £10.60; Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children, but no children necessary): £ 42.40.
Dales Rambler Day Ranger
Leeds-Ilkley/Skipton, plus Bradford Forster Square-Guiseley. Not valid on Virgin Trains East Coast. From 0930. Includes Dales bus services from Ilkley and Skipton (also from 0930).
1 day - A: £12; R (inc Forces): £ 7.90; C: £ 6; Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children): £ 25.
Lancashire Day Ranger
Bounded by Silverdale, Wennington, Clitheroe, Colne, Burnley Manchester RoadHebden Bridge-Littleborough-Manchester Victoria-Earlestown-Liverpool Lime StreetJames Street and the Irish Sea coast (not valid on the Wirral), plus Eccles-Manchester Piccadilly. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 23.80; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £15.70; C: £11.90.
South Pennines Day Ranger
Bounded by Manchester Victoria-StalybridgeManchesterPiccadilly-Stockport-SheffieldWakefield Kirkgate-Castleford-Leeds-Bradford Interchange-Halifax-Manchester Victoria. Also valid Sheffield-Dronfield. Not valid on Grand Central. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 23.80; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £15.70; C: £11.90.
Cheshire Day Ranger
Bounded by Liverpool-Birkenhead-ShottonChester-Crewe-Kidsgrove-Manchester Piccadilly-Earlestown-Liverpool, plus Birkenhead-New Brighton/ West Kirby, CreweWhitchurch, Kidsgrove-Stoke-on-Trent, Stockport-Buxton and Manchester PiccadillyHadfield/Glossop/Rose Hill/New Mills Central. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 23.80; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £15.70; C: £11.90.
Greater Manchester Wayfarer
This may be purchased at many stations, PayPoint outlets in the area (where you have to specify TfGM Wayfarer), and from guards on trains if the station at which you joined is unstaffed.
Bounded by Littleborough, Greenfield, Hadfield/Glossop, Grindleford, Buxton, Macclesfield, Holmes Chapel, Northwich, Warrington Central, Warrington Bank Quay via Earlestown, Bryn, Orrell, Parbold, Chorley and Darwen. Also includes all of Manchester Metrolink, plus buses in an extended area from Accrington and Burnley in the north to Ashbourne in the south. From 0930 (any time on buses).
1 day - A: £13.50; Senior Citizen (holders of English bus passes only): £ 8.50; C: £ 6.75; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £ 27.
WALES
(See also the Coast & Peaks, Freedom of the South West and Freedom of Severn & Solent Rovers, all of which enter Wales).
Special restriction applies to all the following Rovers and Rangers in Wales (except for the First Bus & Rail Card for South Wales) - that travel must be completed by midnight each day.
Explore Wales Flexipass
All stations in Wales plus extensions into England bounded by Shotton-Crewe-Abergavenny and Chepstow-Gloucester. Offers 50% off the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway and 20% off the Dean Forest, Fairbourne, Gwili, Llanberis Lake, Talyllyn and Vale of Rheidol railways.
Also offers free travel on Arriva Cymru, Cardiff Bus, First South & West Wales and
Stagecoach South Wales bus services. All free bus travel and other discounted facilities are available on ANY day in the chosen period, even if that day is not selected for rail travel. From 0930, but no restriction between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, Shrewsbury and Swansea on Heart of Wales services, west of Carmarthen, Aberystwyth-Machynlleth-Pwllheli or Wrexham Central-Bidston. No restriction on buses.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 99; R: £ 65.35; C: £49.50
Explore North & Mid-Wales Flexipass
Bounded by Holyhead-Crewe-Shrewsbury-Pwllheli and the coast, plus Llandudno-Llandudno Junction and Dovey Junction-Aberystwyth. Offers 50% off the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway and 20% off the Fairbourne, Llanberis Lake, Talyllyn and Vale of Rheidol railways.
Also offers free travel on Arriva Cymru, Cardiff Bus, First South & West Wales and Stagecoach South Wales bus services in the area, including many that extend outside the area. All free bus travel and other discounted facilities are available on ANY day in the chosen period, even if that day is not selected for rail travel. From 0930, but no restriction between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog or Aberystwyth-Pwllheli. No restriction on buses.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 69; R: £45.55; C: £ 34.50.
North Wales Rovers
North Wales/Chester is divided into eight zones roughly matching counties, and day Rovers give unrestricted bus and train travel for £13 (two adjacent zones) and £ 22 (three zones). Children half-price.
There is an All-Zone version, which adds Machynlleth-Gobowen, offers 50% off the Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway, and has a discount for railcardholders:
1 day - A: £ 36; R: £ 23.75; C: £18.
Ffestiniog Round Robin
Bounded by Porthmadog-Shrewsbury-CreweBlaenau Ffestiniog, it offers a single trip from any station to either Porthmadog/Minffordd or Blaenau Ffestiniog, a single trip on the Ffestiniog Railway, and return to the original station.
1 day - A: £ 39; R: £ 25.75; accompanied C: £19.50; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £ 75.
Extension tickets are available allowing travel from Birmingham via Shrewsbury and Manchester or Liverpool (via Crewe or Chester):
1 day - A: £44; R: £ 29.05; accompanied C: £ 22; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £ 86.
Explore Cambrian Coast Day Ranger
Machynlleth-Aberystwyth/Pwllheli. From 0900.
1 day - A: £13; R (inc Forces): £ 8.50; accompanied C: £ 6.50; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £ 21.
Heart of Wales Circular Day Ranger(s)
Shrewsbury-Llandrindod Wells-Swansea-Newport-Shrewsbury.
1 day - A: £ 39; R (inc Forces): £ 25.75; C: £19.50.
2 days - A: £ 59; R (inc Forces): £ 39.30; C: £ 29.50.
Explore South Wales Flexipass
Pembroke Dock/Milford Haven/Fishguard Harbour-Shrewsbury via Llandrindod Wells and Newport, plus Newport-Gloucester and all Cardiff Valleys services including Maesteg, Llantwit Major and Ebbw Vale. Offers 20% off the Dean Forest and Gwili railways.
Also offers free travel on Arriva Cymru, Cardiff Bus, First South & West Wales and Stagecoach South Wales bus services in the area, including many that extend outside the area. All free bus travel is available on ANY of the eight days. From 0930, but no restriction between Shrewsbury and Swansea on Heart of Wales services or west of Carmarthen. No restriction on buses.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 69; R: £45.55; C: £ 34.50.
Explore West Wales Day Ranger
Carmarthen and all stations west thereof. After 0845.
1 day - A: £13; R: £ 8.50; C: £ 6.50.
Explore Cardiff & Valleys
Maesteg-Cardiff Central via Pontyclun or Llantwit Major, plus Barry Island-Barry, Penarth-Grangetown and Cardiff Central-Treherbert/Merthyr Tydfil/Aberdare/ Rhymney/Ebbw Vale. Includes the whole Stagecoach South Wales and Thomas of Rhondda bus networks. From 0915, but no restriction on buses.
1 day - A: £13; C: £ 6.50. There is also a ‘Night Rider’ for £ 7 from 1830 (no child discount). The following ticket is new for 2018:
Explore the Capital
Cardiff Queen Street-Penarth/Eastbrook/ Radyr (via Ninian Park or Llandaf) / Coryton/ Llanishen/Cardiff Bay. From 0931-1559 and from 1830. (Note that journeys started by 1559 may be completed, even if changes are required).
1 day - A: £ 4.50; R: £ 2.90; C: £ 2.25.
First Bus & Rail Card for South Wales
Newport-Carmarthen. GWR services only. Also available on First South Wales bus services. From 0930, but no restriction on buses.
1 day - A: £10. Family (up to 2 adults + 3 children): £ 20. No child discount.
THE MIDLANDS East Midlands Rover
Bounded by C lee thorpe s-ScunthorpeSheffield- Derby-Stoke-on- Trent-NuneatonCoventry-B l etch le y-Bedford-Leicester-Peter borough-Spalding-S kegn es sand the North Sea coast, plus Sheffield-New Mills Central, Belper-Matlock and Barton-on-Humber-Habrough. From 0900.
Any 3 days in 7 - A: £ 88.40; C/R: £ 58.30; 7 days - A: £115; C/R: £ 76.
East Midlands Day Ranger
Bounded by Derby-Tamworth-NuneatonLeicester-Peterborough- GranthamNottingham-Derby ,plus Nottingham-Lincoln/ Works op/ Al fret on and Derby--
Matlock/Crewe via Stoke-on-Trent. From 0900. Valid on East Midlands Trains, CrossCountry, London Northwestern and Northern only. 1 day - A: £ 38.70; R: £ 25.50; C: £19.40.
Lincolnshire Day Ranger
Lincoln-Doncaster/Cleethorpes/Skegness/ Peterborough/Nottingham, plus GranthamSleaford/Peterborough/Stamford/ Nottingham, plus Ancaster-Bottesford direct. Valid on East Midlands Trains, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Northern only. From 0900. NOT valid on Saturdays in July and August.
1 day - A: £ 29.30; R: £19.30; C: £14.65.
Coast & Peaks Rover
Bounded by Matlock-Stoke-Stone-RugeleyStafford-Crewe-Shrewsbury-NestonBirkenhead-Kirkby-Wigan-AthertonManchester Piccadilly-Guide Bridge-MarpleSheffield, plus Salford Crescent-Manchester Victoria, Guide Bridge-Hadfield/Glossop, Rugeley-Tamworth, Shrewsbury-Telford Central, the New Brighton and West Kirby branches and Shotton-Holyhead plus the Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog branches. NOT valid Sheffield-Belper. From 0845.
Any 4 days in 8 - A: £ 77; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £ 50.80; C: £ 38.50.
Heart of England Rover
Bounded by Chester-Ruabon-ShrewsburyHereford-Worcester-Oxford-Leamington Spa-Coventry-Rugby-Nuneaton-LeicesterNottingham-Derby-Alsager-Chester, plus Worcester Shrub Hill/Bromsgrove-Gloucester, Rugby-Northampton, and Derby-Matlock. From 0900.
Any 3 days in 7 - A: £ 86.20; C/R: £ 56.90; 7 days - A: £112; C/R: £ 73.90.
Derbyshire Wayfarer Ranger
This is a scratch-off day ticket purchased at Bus Travel Offices (Derbyshire only), TICs and some libraries, or from Derbyshire CC (credit card orders on 01629 536738). Also as a dayof-travel ticket from main line stations.
Uttoxeter/Burton on Trent/Long EatonSheffield-New Mills Central, plus New Mills Newtown-Buxton, Chesterfield-Langley Mill, Belper-Matlock and Shirebrook-Whitwell. Includes travel on bus services in Derbyshire with extensions to Sheffield and other counties. From 0900 (any time on buses).
1 day - A: £12.60 (one child or dog goes free); C and Senior Citizen (no railcard required): £ 6.30; Family (up to 2 adults + 3 children, but children not necessary): £ 23.
Also available, from Nottingham and Beeston stations only, is a version that includes Nottingham to Long Eaton and Langley Mill (train only) for £17.30; C and Senior Citizen (no railcard required): £ 8.65.
West Midlands Day Ranger
Birmingham-Northampton/Nuneaton/ Tamworth/Lichfield Trent Valley/Rugeley Trent Valley/Crewe/Gobowen/Hereford/ Stratford-upon-Avon/Leamington Spa. Also includes Coventry-Stoke-on-Trent via Tamworth, Stoke-on-Trent-Crewe, Stourbridge Junction-Town, Barnt Green-Redditch, Coventry-Nuneaton, Wolverhampton-Walsall and Wilmcote-Hatton. From 0900.
1 day: A: £ 26.50; R: £17.50; C: £13.25 Family (up to 2 adults + 4 children): £ 53.
EAST ANGLIA Anglia Plus
Bounded by Felixstowe, Ipswich, Cambridge, Ely, Thetford, Sheringham and the North Sea coast. Includes local buses from Bury St Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, Ipswich and Norwich stations to anywhere within the town boundaries (but not Park & Ride). From 0845, though valid on some earlier services such as the 0821 Norwich-Sheringham.
Note especially that while discounts are shown for Gold Card holders, these do not apply to Network Railcards as Anglia Plus is outside the Network Railcard area.
1 day - A: £19; R (inc Gold Card): £12.50; unaccompanied C: £ 9.50; up to 4 accompanied C per adult: £ 2.
Any 3 days in 7 - A: £ 38; R (inc Gold Card): £ 25.10; unaccompanied C: £19; up to 4 accompanied C per adult: £ 2.
The following versions have no time restriction ( but require a photocard):
Standard Class: 7 days - A: £119.20; C: £ 59.60. 1 month - A: £457.80; C: £ 228.90. Annual - A: £4,768; C: £ 2,384.
First Class: 7 days - A: £191; C: £ 95.50. 1 month - A: £ 733.50; C: £ 366.75. Annual - A: £ 7,640; C: £ 3,820.
There are smaller versions called Anglia Plus (Norfolk), Anglia Plus (Suffolk) and Anglia Plus (Cambridge) for a minimum of 7 days (A: Standard Class £ 52.70 each; First Class £ 84.30), then pairs of adjoining counties (A: Standard Class £ 89.50; First Class £143.70). These also require a photocard.
Following the recent demise of Stagecoach in Norfolk, the Coasthopper bus service will now run in two sections: Sanders Coaches from Sheringham to Wells-next-the-Sea; and Lynx Coaches from Wells to Hunstanton. Use of these with the Bittern Day Ranger will no longer be free, but with an add-on fare. However, details have yet to be confirmed.
Bittern Line Day Ranger
Norwich-Sheringham. From 0815.
1 day - A: £ 9; Senior Citizen (no railcard required): £ 6; C: £ 4.50; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £ 20.
Wherry Lines Day Ranger
Norwich-Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth. From 0845.
1 day - A: £ 9; Senior Citizen (no railcard required): £ 6; C: £ 4.50; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £ 20.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
It’s odd to have a Rover for those aged 65 or over, as that means a Senior Railcard isn’t proof and users are told to show a passport or a driving licence - and there are many people who have neither. The publicity still refers to the bar within Zones 1-6 as up to 1859, whereas I feel sure it is actually until 1900.
c2c Senior Day Rover
All c2c services. Available only to those aged 65 or over (proof of age required). Available Monday-Friday only (NOT Bank Holidays). From 0930 but not valid between Fenchurch Street and Rainham/Upminster (TfL Zones 1-6) between 1600 and 1859.
1 day: A (65 or over): £ 9. A version exists for all services east of Rainham and Upminster inclusive for £ 6.
Remember that where prices below are quoted for using a Network Railcard, its £13 minimum fare applies Mon-Fri (meaning there might be no reduction at all on some Rangers, except at weekends and Bank Holidays), and its 1000 Mon-Fri start also applies. Gold Card holders may have the full discount Mon-Fri as Gold Cards have no minimum fare, and travel is permitted from 0930. Note the Cherwell Valley Day Rangers have been withdrawn.
Oxfordshire Day Ranger
Reading-Moreton-in-Marsh/Banbury. From 0930 and also barred out of Reading on intercity services between 1720 and 1925.
1 day - A: £17.10; R (inc Family & Friends, Network and Forces): £11.30; C: £ 8.60.
Oxfordshire Evening Out
Didcot Parkway-Kingham/Banbury. From 1850 (with relaxations at some stations). A: £ 4; R (inc Family & Friends, Network and Forces): £ 2.90; C: £ 2.
Cotswold Discoverer
Two lines connected by buses: OxfordMoreton-in-Marsh and Swindon-StroudGloucester-Ashchurch for Tewkesbury plus Gloucester-Yate. Also valid on buses within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From 0850 but any time on buses.
1 day - A: £10; R: £ 8.30 (inc Forces); C: £ 5.
Note the following four GWR Rovers/Day Rangers are all available from the time the Off-Peak Day Return becomes available, if that is before the stated time.
Thames Rover
Paddington-Moreton-in-Marsh/Banbury/ Bedwyn/Basingstoke plus Reading-Redhill and the Greenford, Windsor & Eton Central, Marlow and Henley-on-Thames branches. From 0930 and also barred out of Paddington and Reading on inter-city services between 1600 and 1915.
3 (consecutive) days - A: £ 50.80; R (inc Network and Forces): £ 33.50; C: £ 25.40.
7 days - A: £ 92.20; R (inc Network and Forces): £ 60.90; C: 46.10.
Thames Branches Day Ranger
London-Tilehurst/Reading West/ Winnersh Triangle plus the Greenford, Windsor & Eton Central, Marlow and Henley-on-Thames branches. From 0930 and also barred out of Paddington on inter-city services to Reading (only) between 1600 and 1915.
1 day - A: £ 20.60; R (inc Family & Friends, Network and Forces): £13.60; C: £10.30.
Kennet Day Ranger
Reading-Basingstoke/Bedwyn. From 0930 and also barred out of Reading on inter-city services between 1700 and 1935.
1 day - A: £12.40; R (inc Family & Friends, Network and Forces): £ 8.20; C: £ 6.20.
North Downs Day Ranger
Reading-Redhill. From 0900.
1 day - A: £17.10; R (inc Family & Friends, Network and Forces): £11.30; C: £ 8.60.
Kent Rover
Bounded by Swanley-Maidstone East-Ashford International-Dover-Ramsgate-Swanley, plus Tonbridge-Tunbridge Wells/Ashford International/Gravesend, Sittingbourne/ Newington-Sheerness-on-Sea and Rochester-Strood. Southeastern services only. From 0930.
3 (consecutive) days - A: £45 up to 4 accompanied C: £ 5 each.
Note that although Southern and Thameslink are part of the single Govia Thameslink franchise, the divisions still trade separately. And so the following two DaySave tickets will remain separate and are not interavailable.
Note the Thameslink DaySave (below) is an oddity, being available only from four TICs at Brighton, Luton and Dunstable, which renders it almost useless for a majority of potential users!
Thameslink DaySave
Brighton-Bedford and relevant branches. Thameslink services only. From 1000 and not for northbound travel on services departing Moorgate or St Pancras International between 1630 and 1900 for journeys to any station between St Albans and Bedford inclusive.
1 day - A: £ 21.50; Up to 4 accompanied C: £ 2 each. Can only be purchased from TICs, as above, and NOT from stations or its website.
The following ticket can only be purchased on the internet from www.southernrailway.com/ tickets-and-fares/ticket-types/daysave a minimum of three days before travel (five days if posted), and if collected from a ticket machine can only be collected from a Southern station. It cannot be bought from stations, but can be bought from TICs at Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Seaford (addresses on the DaySave website above).
Southern DaySave
All Southern services but not Gatwick Express. From 1000 and not for departing from a London terminal, Clapham Junction or East Croydon between 1615 and 1915.
1 day - A: £19.50; up to 4 accompanied C: £ 2. Group (3 or 4 adults or children): £ 39. Cannot be purchased from any station.
THE ISLE OF WIGHT Island Line Day Ranger
Ryde Pier Head-Shanklin. From 0830.
1 day - A: £ 6.50: C: £ 3; Family (up to 2 adults + 3 children): £17. A version exists called Island Liner, which includes the IoW Steam Railway - A: £16; C: £ 8. Other versions are available as add-ons to ferry fares from the mainland and also offering Southern Vectis bus services.
SOUTH & SOUTH WEST ENGLAND Freedom Travelpass
Available in three zones, the all-zone covering Bristol Temple Meads-Weston-super-Mare/ Freshford/ Yate/Pilning/Severn Beach plus Bristol Parkway-Patchway. Also available on most bus services.
All-Zone prices: 1 day - A: £13.50 (£12.50 from 0930); 7 days: A: £ 59; 1 month: £ 227. No child or railcard discounts.
Note that for all Rovers and Day Rangers below, the time restriction quoted is always relaxed where the normal Off-Peak Day Return restriction for a train is earlier than the Rover or Ranger time - for example, travel is
allowed on the 0725 from Exeter St Davids to Salisbury.
This won’t apply on the named branch line Day Rangers, such as the Tarka Line Ranger, where the restriction has been set to do that anyway. Note that use of Sunday Okehampton services is permitted.
Freedom of the South West Rover
Bounded by Severn Beach-SwindonMelksham-Romsey-Eastleigh-Portsmouth Harbour and the Channel & Atlantic coasts, plus Cardiff Central-Gloucester/Bristol Parkway/Filton Abbey Wood and Great Malvern-Gloucester-Bristol Parkway/Swindon. From 0900.
Any 3 days in 7 - A: £102.60; R (inc Forces): £ 67.70; C: £ 51.30.
Any 8 days in 15 - A: £144; R (inc Forces): £ 95.10; C: £ 72.
Freedom of Severn & Solent Rover
This is the Freedom of the South West Rover, but bounded to the west by Axminster and Tiverton Parkway. From 0900.
Any 3 days in 7 - A: £ 61.10; R (inc Forces): £ 40.30; C: £ 30.60.
Any 8 days in 15 - A: £ 81.80; R (inc Forces): £ 54; C: £ 40.90.
Heart of Wessex Day Ranger
Weymouth-Westbury-Parson Street/Severn Beach/Pilning/Bristol Parkway, plus PatchwayYate, Bristol Parkway-Swindon-Trowbridge, Chippenham-Bath Spa and Westbury-Pewsey. From 0820 but with some relaxations, notably valid on the 0751 from Severn Beach and the 0808 Pewsey-Westbury.
1 day - A: £ 20.60; R (inc Family & Friends and Forces): £13.60; C: £10.30.
Freedom of Devon & Cornwall Rover
All services west of (and including) Axminster and Tiverton Parkway. From 0900.
Any 3 days in 7 - A: £ 50.80; R (inc Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 33.50; C: £ 25.40. Children accompanying D & C Railcard holders travel for £ 6.
Any 8 days in 15 - A: £ 81.80; R (inc Forces and also inc Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 54; C: £40.90. Children accompanying D & C Railcard holders travel for £16.
Devon Day Ranger
Gunnislake/St Budeaux Ferry RoadOkehampton/Barnstaple/Tiverton Parkway/ Axminster/Exmouth plus the Paignton branch. From 0900, but valid all services to Barnstaple (that direction only).
1 day - A: £12.40; R (inc Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 8.20; C: £ 6.20. Children accompanying D & C Railcard-holders travel for £ 2.
An evening version is available from 1800 and also on the 1727 Gunnislake to Plymouth at A: £ 6; R: £4; C: £ 3.95. Children accompanying D & C Railcard-holders travel for £1. ■
Note that some of the following Day Rangers will be issued as normal end-to-end Off-Peak Day Returns, but are nevertheless still valid for unlimited travel for the day.
Tarka Line Day Ranger
Barnstaple-Exeter Central. From 0830 southbound (any time northbound).
1 day - A: £10.60; R (inc Family & Friends, Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 7; C: £ 5.30. Children accompanying D & C Railcard holders travel for £1.
Tamar Valley Line Day Ranger
Plymouth-Gunnislake. From 0830.
1 day - A: £ 6; R (inc Family & Friends, Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 3.95; C: £ 3. Children accompanying D & C Railcard holders travel for £1.
Ride Cornwall
All stations Plymouth and west thereof. Also available on First and Go Cornwall bus services. From 0900.
1 day - A: £13; R (inc Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £10.75; C: £ 9.75; Family (up to 2 adults + 3 children): £ 26.
Looe Valley Line Day Ranger
Liskeard-Looe. From 0830.
1 day - A: £4.60; R (inc Family & Friends, Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 3.05; C: £ 2.30. Children accompanying D & C Railcard holders travel for £1.
Atlantic Coast Line Day Ranger
Par-Newquay. From 0915.
1 day - A: £ 5.10; R (inc Family & Friends, Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 3.35; C: £ 2.55. Children accompanying D & C Railcard holders travel for £1.
Maritime Line Day Ranger
Truro-Falmouth. From 0845 towards Truro; from 0915 towards Falmouth.
1 day - A: £4.60; R (inc Family & Friends, Forces and Devon & Cornwall Railcards): £ 3.05; C: £ 2.30. Children accompanying D & C Railcard holders travel for £1.
Fal Mussel Card - Visitor
Truro-Falmouth. Includes ferries and buses in the Falmouth, St Mawes and Truro area. Available Easter to October. 1, 2, 3 or 6 consecutive days. A: £17.55£ 39.60; C £13.05-£ 27.90; Family (up to 2 adults + 3 children): £ 43.20-£110.25. These prices are for buying online from www.falriver.co.uk/ getting-about/fal-mussel-card and include a 10% discount. These are relatively expensive as the ferry use includes free crossing for a vehicle as well as the passengers.
St. Ives Bay Line Day Ranger
St Erth-St Ives.
1 day - A: £ 4; R (inc Forces, but except Devon & Cornwall Railcard): £ 2.65; Devon & Cornwall Railcard only: £ 2; C: £ 2; Group (3 or 4 adults): £ 8; Family (up to 2 adults + 3 children): £10 (£ 7 if a holder has a Devon & Cornwall Railcard).