Britrail and Scottish Freedom pass

[iggy128]

We will be staying near Oxford for approx. 6 weeks in Feb/Mar 07. We are seniors and thinking of using the Britrail pass for (mostly) day trips to places of interest. The cost will be nearly $2000 (australian dollars) for 15 days. Would we get our value from it? I would love some advice from seasoned travellers or locals.
Also, it seems that a lot of historical and tourist attractions are closed for winter. Can anyone recommend attractions which are open in winter that can be accessed by rail.
This is a great site, I have found a lot of answers already.

[dzug]

If you are just doing day trips from Oxford, no way are you going to spend that much on rail fares in 15 days.

For example off-peak return fares:
Oxford-London �20 each including unlimited tube/bus rides
Oxford-Hereford �16 each
Oxford-Birmingham �24.90 each
Oxford-Southampton �22 each
Oxford-Bristol �15 each

There are reductions for some of these destinations if you book specific trains in advance.

You'd be better off getting senior rail cards for �20 each (can be bought on the spot at any manned station - just fill in a form and show your passport or other proof of age) and you'll get a third off the fares I've quoted and most others. Only restriction is that in the London area you can't use them untiol after the morning rush hour

Some trips are better done by bus - eg Oxford-Cambridge, maybe Oxford-London

[bednobs]

how much is 2000 aus worth in pounds?

[bednobs]

im only asking because if you did 15 day trips at an average of 20 pounds each, for each person, it comes to 600 pounds

[iggy128]

$AU2000 is approx. 800 pounds.