Great Western Coffee Shop

I have a group of three American friends visiting next month. They're travelling around by train: initially London to Brighton, then Brighton to Melksham (well, Westbury anyway, where I'll pick them up), and then, um, actually I'm not too sure where they go after they leave here.

Tickets are obviously cheaper if bought in advance. However, they don't have a UK address or bank account so presumably can't order via the Trainline or whatever and collect them on arrival at the station. So, how can they save on their travel? Any suggestions? Or are they stuffed?

I did mention EuroRail passes but apparently for the comparatively short time they're here it's simply not worth the cost.

One of the booking engines (either Trainline or the mixing deck) accepts non-UK addresses and credit cards.  Any country's cards can be used with ToD.

Alternatively, a travel agent in their own country may be able to organise something.

Or could try calling a TOC telesales office.

Would a BritRail pass be a possibility? Unfortunately don't seem to be able to get online info in the UK!

http://www.britrail.com/ (http://www.britrail.com/)

BritRail Pass would be my recommendation, simply because of the flexibility it affords. No peak restrictions and valid on Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Expresses.

$179* Standard Class Adult for 3 days Consecutive Pass. Great Britain

$229 Standard Class Adult for any 3 days in 2 months Flexipass. Great Britain

Other passes for differing periods of use are available as well as differing prices for Children, Youths, Seniors and First Class. There's also cheaper England only and LondonPlus passes. The LondonPlus covers the former Network SouthEast area and the GWML to Bristol. (Not Westbury though!)

Another consideration is a Visitor Oyster Card (PAYG) if any travelling around London is being done. Available from ^13 (^10 credit plus ^3 activation fee). Price in USD for that would be $20.67.

Sources and where purchases can be made (I recommend 2 weeks before travelling to allow for delivery):

http://www.britrail.com/passes (You'll need a non UK IP address to get full details and prices. Or use a VPN client like I did! Obviously they cannot be purchased by a UK citizen living in the UK.)
http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/English.htm

*Around ^110 based on today's exchange rate. Pretty good value for 3 days unlimited travel.

That"s fabulous, thanks guys,

Just spotted something else on the official BritRail website. Parties of 3 people travelling together are entitled to a discount (around 50%) on the 3rd BritRail pass.

Also if one of your party of 3 is a child (under 16) then they travel free with 2 adult passes.

Oooh, that site wirks on my iphone!