Photo_Traveler

Hello everyone.

I have been to England several times, but the last time was about 15 years ago, and I feel like my information is outdated. I am planning a trip for my boyfriend and myself, and we will be flying into London. We would like to visit the Scottish highlands, including a trip to Fraser Castle. I think the location that might be best for us to base our travel from is Aberdeen. What is the best way for us to get from London to Aberdeen?

Does anyone know what the current rates for train travel from London to Aberdeen might be? I thought that tickets purchased from London rail stations were much cheaper than the sites I'm looking at to book from online (from the US).

Also, would it be of any benefit to buy a Britrail pass, or are we better off to buy tickets as we go?

Thanks in advance for sharing your local knowledge and recent experiences.

janisj

How many days total?

When? Rail tix have BIG discounts when you book about 12 weeks out or so. It doesn't matter that you are booking from the States. But if you are traveling soon, then yes, tickets can be expensive.

How old are you? If old enough to rent a car w/o big surcharges you wilt do better touring the Northeast by cat -- taking a train up to Scotland but driving in Aberdeenshire and Deeside.

You most likely have no need for a Britrail pass.

Photo_Traveler

Thanks Janis. The trip will be a while from now - plenty of time for the advance purchase you spoke of. The earliest would be Late September, the latest September of next year.

I prefer to take public transportation rather than drive. Never quite gotten my head around driving there.

Thank you so much for the advice!

Jenny

janisj

Touring in rural Aberdeenshire and the area around Castle Fraser is not really practical by pubic transport. It isn't near a village of any size . . . Heck, the nearest bus stop is 4 miles away. And there aren't buses all that often.

You really will need a car -- driving outside of the cities is not at all hard . . . and no one needs a car IN the cities.

Hundres of thousands of American visitors drive in the UK every year -- you can too. Doesn't mean you need to drive for 2 whole weeks. You could do something like Fly into London, for a few days, then train to Edinburgh for a couple of days. Then pick up a rental car and do a 5 or 6 day driving tour to St Andrews, Glamis Castle, Dunnottar Castle, Crathes, Deeside, Craigevar and Castle Fraser etc - drop the car at Aberdeen and either fly out or take the train - - OR - - Fly or take the train from London to Aberdeen, pick up a car and do the 4 or 5 day tour southward to Edinburgh, drop the car, visit Edinburgh for a couple of days then fly home or return to London and then head home.

Photo_Traveler

Thanks Janis. I can drive if required, just prefer not to. So I'll look into renting a car as you advised. Thanks for the tips!

thursdaysd

You could fly to Aberdeen, but if I were going I would take the night train.

See: http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm

Photo_Traveler

I agree. I think the train would be a more pleasant journey. Also, BF hasn't really traveled by train before, and since this will be his first time overseas, I thnk it will be nice for him to experience.

Photo_Traveler

Thank you for all the replies! Our trip got cut a bit shorter than first anticipated, so we will be flying (EasyJet LGW-INV, BA ABZ-LHR) to and from the Highlands. I did take the excellent advice here and rent a car for the Highlands portion of our trip. Guess I'll thumb through the Highway Code book to refresh my memory. Thanks again everyone!

janisj

Too bad the trip is shortened, but silver lining is the flights and rental car will make your trip much easier.

sheila

When are you doing this, Photo_Traveller? I'm around Aberdeen and might be able to help.

PalenQ

Also, would it be of any benefit to buy a Britrail pass, or are we better off to buy tickets as we go?>

Well you do not seem to be taking enough trains to make that nearly pay off - 3-4 long distance trains at full fare would be a good value if you wanted total flexibility but most are content with locking in discounted tickets far in advance (sold in limited numbers - I think cheapest are non-changeable) - www.nationalrail.co.uk is the site to check and book your own tickets - for great info on British trains check www.seat61.com - British guru of discounted tickets; and for general info - www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

There are also overnight trains between London-Euston and various Scottish stations like I think Aberdeen - save on the cost of a hotel and have a romantic interlude maybe in a private compartment - bring any food and drink onboard you want have breakfast served in bed in morning on certain category compartments at least.