Can someone help me with the super confusing British rail system?

Hopefully one of the British Jellies can answer directly, but my instincts would be to try to make a phone call to (or possibly via e-mail) someone from ACP Rail. There may be discounts or other options not widely published that could work out better for you with such a specific travel itinerary.

It sounds like an awesome trip. Best of luck with the planning and I hope you have an amazing time.

Since the passes are sold to tourists, you should get one before you go. Got a Britrail pass three years ago for any 8 days of travel a month. There are different choices you can make. I know what you mean about the different companies – thanks a lot Maggie Thatcher. But remember that for each destination there is only one company so you just have to book with them. The pass was super easy to use and we had no problems, just waved the passes at the conductor.

This site should have most of the info you need. I think you can get the pass there and also make your individual reservations through them:

https://www.britrail.net/

If I were you, I’d wait until you got to Great Britain to buy your tickets. Bought tickets on Line once to go from Budapest Hungary to Bucharest Rumania. The train on line was modern and beautiful looking. When I got to the Budapest I was told that I needed to pay more money. A lot more money. When the train game it was an old wreck. Looked like it was made in the 1920’s. And the toilets emptied onto the tracks. Discussing. What a diabolical ripoff! I’ll never ride a train again.
Good luck to you.

@gondwanalon Well, I’ve been on British trains a number of times and they’re not that. They’re modern and people use them to commute all the time. I’m not worried about the train—just need advice on navigating the tickets.

@Caravanfan The Britrail site @jannbb mentioned may be your best bet. The seat61 site also has all the information and tips you might want to know about UK train travel. You should also be aware that there are train strikes taking place at the moment. Hopefully the dispute will be resolved by October when you travel.

@flutherother Thanks. Perfect, that’s exactly what I was looking for. It’s the 20+operators and one network think that is really confusing me. First class tickets are more expensive. For long trips is it worth the extra coin?

—edit. I see they talk about first class vs. standard class farther down the site.

@flutherother is a much better source than the lout whom Ryan moved to the North Sea. ;)

@Caravanfan No reason to pay for First Class IMHO. Standard is just fine and very comfortable.

For the longer trips you might want to pay for a reserved seat if it is a popular line. Usually only about L 10 extra. Most of the time you don’t really need it though. Most trains didn’t have a dining or buffet car but at intervals a service person would come through with a cart selling sandwiches, chips, tea, etc.

@janbb Thanks. That was my impression. I don’t need an English breakfast served to me and I’m fine with on off-the-cart sandwich or piece of fruit.