Best way to travel from London to Edinburgh and Dublin?
Jun 2nd, 2013, 06:38 PM
#1
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Best way to travel from London to Edinburgh and Dublin?
I'm staring to plan a trip to London, Edinburgh and Dublin in September 2013. Train or plane? I'm sure there are lots of factors involved, but considering cost and enjoyment, should we look into flying or just take a train and enjoy the views?
Thanks in advance for any advice - this is my first post on here and I'm so excited to start reading and planning the trip!
Thanks in advance for any advice - this is my first post on here and I'm so excited to start reading and planning the trip!
Jun 2nd, 2013, 06:52 PM
#3
And between London and Edinburgh you could take the night train. Fewer views, but a different experience. See http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm
Jun 2nd, 2013, 07:38 PM
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I rode the train from Edinburgh to London with a two day stop over in York. York is a very pleasant and interesting town. I was using a Brit Rail Pass which put me in 1st class. I have read here on Fodor's that you don't want to be in 2nd class on a British train. There was free tea, wifi, and 220 volt electricity on the train. You can buy sandwiches and beverages.
Jun 2nd, 2013, 11:24 PM
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Train every time! Add on travel time between airport and where you're staying in each city, plus the time between check-in and flight to the actual flight time, and the journey will probably take some 4-5 hours. Which is what the train journey takes from London to the heart of Edinburgh by train. By train you'll see a whole lot more of Britain on the way. My favourite stretch is between Durham and Edinburgh, with views of Durham Cathedral, the River Tyne, and the little coastal border town of Berwick-on-Tweed.
Whatever you do, make sure you book in advance - there is a huge price difference between advance bookings and those done a day or two before you travel.
Whatever you do, make sure you book in advance - there is a huge price difference between advance bookings and those done a day or two before you travel.
Jun 3rd, 2013, 01:30 AM
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What is your length of stay in Ireland? Scotland? England?
What are your Arrival and Departure Airports?
Source your Cheapest in and out flight options, that will give start and finish points.
Be Aware that regional flights have Strict Baggage rules/charges.
Rail(or bus) and Sail between Ireland and Scotland involves Northern Ireland which is well worth a good look round if you have the Time
Once you have your Key facts sorted then the fiddly bits of your itinerary can get a closer look. but if you just want to hit the 3 cities and nothing/nowhere else its a bit of a wasted journey because London is not England any more than Edinburgh is Scotland or Dublin Ireland.
What are your Arrival and Departure Airports?
Source your Cheapest in and out flight options, that will give start and finish points.
Be Aware that regional flights have Strict Baggage rules/charges.
Rail(or bus) and Sail between Ireland and Scotland involves Northern Ireland which is well worth a good look round if you have the Time
Once you have your Key facts sorted then the fiddly bits of your itinerary can get a closer look. but if you just want to hit the 3 cities and nothing/nowhere else its a bit of a wasted journey because London is not England any more than Edinburgh is Scotland or Dublin Ireland.
Jun 3rd, 2013, 02:57 AM
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....There was free tea, wifi, and 220 volt electricity on the train. You can buy sandwiches and beverages....
That rather surprises me. For a journey of over an hour, I would expect a free meal in First Class with a glass of wine.
I agree that 2nd class is perfectly acceptable. If you book in advance, you can choose a window seat, a seat with a table, or you can opt for the quiet carriage. I'm tickled by the mention of the voltage. It suggests the plot of a whodunnit, "Murder on the Virgin Pendolino".
That rather surprises me. For a journey of over an hour, I would expect a free meal in First Class with a glass of wine.
I agree that 2nd class is perfectly acceptable. If you book in advance, you can choose a window seat, a seat with a table, or you can opt for the quiet carriage. I'm tickled by the mention of the voltage. It suggests the plot of a whodunnit, "Murder on the Virgin Pendolino".
Jun 3rd, 2013, 10:47 AM
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<That rather surprises me. For a journey of over an hour, I would expect a free meal in First Class with a glass of wine.>
Train providers and the rolling stock they stick you on vary greatly over the country. Some lucky parts of the country have train providers with modern trains and free meals. Others, stuck with the likes of Greater Anglia or First Great Western are grateful to get free tea/coffee and biscuits. We still have to roll down the windows and lean out to open the doors using the outside handles. Going from 1st class on Virgin and transferring to Greater Anglia you will wonder how they have the cheek to call it 1st class.
Having said that, if I'm paying I will always book a 1st class ticket in advance. It's worth it for the bigger seats, tables, cleaner loos and less chance of rugrats sitting near you. Anything on top of that is a bonus.
Train providers and the rolling stock they stick you on vary greatly over the country. Some lucky parts of the country have train providers with modern trains and free meals. Others, stuck with the likes of Greater Anglia or First Great Western are grateful to get free tea/coffee and biscuits. We still have to roll down the windows and lean out to open the doors using the outside handles. Going from 1st class on Virgin and transferring to Greater Anglia you will wonder how they have the cheek to call it 1st class.
Having said that, if I'm paying I will always book a 1st class ticket in advance. It's worth it for the bigger seats, tables, cleaner loos and less chance of rugrats sitting near you. Anything on top of that is a bonus.
Jun 3rd, 2013, 11:23 AM
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Just last year we did the same trip and I realize that once does not make me an expert. We took the train from London to Edinburgh with a stop in York to visit friends. Second class was just fine. And then we fly Ryan from Edinburgh to Dublin. We would have taken Aer Lingus but they pulled an internet bait and switch on us.
