Merlin Passes

The first thing that struck me was how little I had to fill in to get started, just my details and a payment. I'd never used them before and was wary of the small print. Turned out the terms were laid out plainly and I knew exactly what I was getting for our weekend trips. Good so far.

The app is actually decent, which I didn't expect. Got the pass for the year and I use it for trips up to Manchester and the odd day out. Showing the QR code on the bus was no bother. Booking another trip next month, which says enough.

Needed a pass sorted quick because we had a trip to Cornwall booked for half term and I'd forgotten to check if the stays were covered. Signed up on my phone during my lunch break and it took about five minutes. Had the details by the evening, which was ideal. Only thing I'd say is make the confirmation email easier to find, it went into my promotions folder.

Honestly the cheapest of the lot once you add up what you'd otherwise pay for each trip. I had a look at two others and they wanted more for less cover. This one just does what I need for city breaks. Would sign up again.

I did compare this with the rail card and the coach passes before deciding, and this came out ahead for the sort of trips we make. We go to Bath and Brighton a fair bit, and it covers those without a second thought. The booking was straightforward and I had no trouble with the confirmation. I'd happily carry on with it.

Went for the annual pass after comparing a few options, mainly because it covered the weekend trips we keep doing to the Peak District and the Welsh borders. Looked at a couple of monthly plans first but they worked out dearer over the year. Booking was painless and the pass was in my account within a few minutes. The app shows what's covered which saves a lot of checking. Only just starting to use it properly so will update later.

Needed a pass for the new job which involves travelling to sites across the North West. First time using them so wasn't sure what to expect. Set it up in a few minutes and it was active the same day. Happy with how it's gone so far and the price was fair.

Compared it with a couple of rival passes and this one came out with the best cover for what we pay. We do a few short breaks a year and it covers those without fuss. Wasn't the cheapest but it isn't far off and I'd say it's better value.

I'm not one for gadgets, so I was a little wary of the app, but the pass arrived in my email the same day I paid and the instructions were clear. We've used it for trips to Harrogate and a few days in Devon. The cover is sensible and there was nothing hidden in the terms that I could find. My husband has taken to it far more than I have.

Bought the annual pass on my phone during a lunch break, took about two minutes. Pass came through to my email straight away so I could show it on the train to the Peaks that weekend.

Looked at a couple of rail and coach passes before picking this one, and it's not the cheapest for what we actually do. The pass itself works fine and the cover is good, but it does cost more than I'd like for the number of trips we make.

Third year running now and the renewal was just as painless as the first time, I got a reminder email, clicked through and it was done. The pass covers the trips we keep making to the coast and the Lakes.

Bought the family annual pass for the year, mostly for the day trips to the coast. Works fine for most of what we do. Had to ring them once because one of the kids was not showing up on the app, sorted in a day or so.

Got the annual pass for weekend trips with my mates and it's been well worth it. Booked on the app in about two mins. Covers a lot of the places we go to. Easy.

Does the job for weekend trips but the app could be quicker to load, it sometimes hangs when I'm trying to show the pass on the train. Otherwise sign up was simple and the cover is what I wanted. Had to wait a day for a reply to a question I sent in but that's about it. Would probably still go with them again.

I looked at a rail card and two coach passes before picking this, and the day trip maths only worked out in favour of this one once I totted up what we'd have paid per trip. The site lets you check what's covered before you pay, which I liked. Ordering was quick and the pass landed in my inbox the same afternoon, no fuss at all.

Best value of the three I looked at, and the cheaper ones had catches buried in the small print. This one covers what we actually do, weekend breaks and a couple of longer stays. Took a bit of time to get used to the app but it's fine now.

I compared this with a rail-based pass before choosing, and it looked simpler on the website than it turned out to be in practice. When I tried to use it for a trip to Bath, a couple of the stops weren't listed as covered and I had to ring to check. The team were polite and sorted it out in the end, but it took several days and a few calls. Not what I expected from the price I paid.

Way easier than the other one I tried last year, which had a pile of hoops to jump through. This one you just pick your trips and go. Booked a long weekend in Edinburgh and it was all sorted in a few minutes. Would use again.

Needed something cheap for getting to my mates' places across the Midlands and the weekend trips to Bristol. Bought it on my phone in about two minutes and it was sorted straight away, no faff. Works well for me so far, would get it again.