Edinburgh hotel/B&B and sights
Mar 28th, 2012, 05:08 AM
#1
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Edinburgh hotel/B&B and sights
DH & I will be spending 4 days in Edinburgh this summer, we fly in from Paris on June 30, arriving around 9am. Am looking for a centrally located hotel/B&B in the 75-100 GBP range, what do you Fodorites suggest?
Now for the sightseeing, my tentative plans are as follows:
Day 1 - arrival & check-in, then Stirling Castle. Is this doable, how does one get there?
Day 2 - Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile
Day 3 - take bus to St. Andrews, DH would like a round of golf if possible
Day 4 - we plan to take the Caledonian Sleeper to London that night, what do you suggest for the day?
What is the Edinburgh City Pass, does it make sense for us to get one? Also, do we need to rent a car or are we better off just taking the bus?
Have more questions for you in a separate thread about the London leg of our trip, thanks a ton, you guys are just great!
Now for the sightseeing, my tentative plans are as follows:
Day 1 - arrival & check-in, then Stirling Castle. Is this doable, how does one get there?
Day 2 - Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile
Day 3 - take bus to St. Andrews, DH would like a round of golf if possible
Day 4 - we plan to take the Caledonian Sleeper to London that night, what do you suggest for the day?
What is the Edinburgh City Pass, does it make sense for us to get one? Also, do we need to rent a car or are we better off just taking the bus?
Have more questions for you in a separate thread about the London leg of our trip, thanks a ton, you guys are just great!
Mar 28th, 2012, 08:46 AM
#2
just a few random notes: I personally wouldn't go up to Stirling on your arrival day. You don't land until 9AM-by the time you check in it will be 10:30 or 11:00, then you'd have to go to Waverly station and catch the train to Stirling. That is a lot of rushing about IMO.
It will take quite a long time to St Andrews by bus. Take the train to Leuchars and then a taxi or local bus. There is a lottery each day for playing the old course -infoisclearly explained on the website.
BUT I have a suggestion--you are in Edinburgh less than 4 full days and want to spend two of them out of town. If it was me I'd spend the first 2 days in Edinburgh. Then rent a car for 2 days, drive to St Andrews in the early AM, check w/ the starter because he will try to put a single in w/ a twosome or threesome. See the Old Course and St Andrews and spend the night. Next morning drive over to Stirling see the castle and other sites in the area. Drive back to EDI in the evening, drop the car and take the airport bus to Waverly station. Leave your bags at left luggage,have a nice dinner and walk around - then collect your bags and catch the train.
It will take quite a long time to St Andrews by bus. Take the train to Leuchars and then a taxi or local bus. There is a lottery each day for playing the old course -infoisclearly explained on the website.
BUT I have a suggestion--you are in Edinburgh less than 4 full days and want to spend two of them out of town. If it was me I'd spend the first 2 days in Edinburgh. Then rent a car for 2 days, drive to St Andrews in the early AM, check w/ the starter because he will try to put a single in w/ a twosome or threesome. See the Old Course and St Andrews and spend the night. Next morning drive over to Stirling see the castle and other sites in the area. Drive back to EDI in the evening, drop the car and take the airport bus to Waverly station. Leave your bags at left luggage,have a nice dinner and walk around - then collect your bags and catch the train.
Mar 28th, 2012, 06:50 PM
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Lots of questions for a coherent and complete answer.
One can take the train to Stirling proper, but additional movement is by train or car. If you're in the area, see the Wallace Monument.
Personally speaking, I would rent a car for the day, and decide what you want to do for that day. You might head over to Scone Palace, Look for Nessie at Loch Ness, cross the Firth of Forth Bridge (see The 39 Steps), or whatever.
The train down from Edinburgh to London is about 4 hours, and a very pretty day trip in itself.
Try www.venere.com to search for hotels/b&Bs.
One can take the train to Stirling proper, but additional movement is by train or car. If you're in the area, see the Wallace Monument.
Personally speaking, I would rent a car for the day, and decide what you want to do for that day. You might head over to Scone Palace, Look for Nessie at Loch Ness, cross the Firth of Forth Bridge (see The 39 Steps), or whatever.
The train down from Edinburgh to London is about 4 hours, and a very pretty day trip in itself.
Try www.venere.com to search for hotels/b&Bs.
Mar 29th, 2012, 12:05 AM
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i absolutely love love loved the over seas club in edinburgh. if you look on trip advisor, you will see a picture i posted from the breakfast room-- that was the exact view from my bedroom as well. it was very inexpensive. i won't lie... it's a bit like staying at grandma's house. quite small rooms. but clean and comfy bed with a little tea pot, some biscuits, and daily local sparkling water. you just can't beat the location and the view. there is no real lobby to speak of, though there is a (tired) reading room. the breakfast was just fine and a pretty room. if you will be playing golf at st. andrews then you may be looking for something more upscale... but i have very fond memories of this hotel.
Mar 29th, 2012, 06:47 AM
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janisj: staying overnight at St Andrews won't work very well, we'll be going on a cruise later on and will have 3 big suitcases plus a couple of smaller bags. Would much rather just leave everything at Edinburgh until we take the train to London instead of lugging them around all over the place. But renting a car for days 3 & 4 seems like a good option.
rastaguy & kawh: will check out your suggestions for hotels and B&Bs.
Sorry to display my ignorance but where exactly is Loch Ness, how far from Edinburgh? I'd much rather go there than play golf, but I know that it'll mean a lot to DH. Anyway, thanks a lot for your suggestions!
rastaguy & kawh: will check out your suggestions for hotels and B&Bs.
Sorry to display my ignorance but where exactly is Loch Ness, how far from Edinburgh? I'd much rather go there than play golf, but I know that it'll mean a lot to DH. Anyway, thanks a lot for your suggestions!
Mar 29th, 2012, 11:18 AM
#8
"<i>Would much rather just leave everything at Edinburgh </i>"
That really isn't an issue. Both Waverly Station and EDI have Left Luggage facilities. Not sure if you are flying into EDI or arrive by train . . . but you can leave your big cruise bags and travel around foot loose and fancy free . . .
(Three suitcases? -- even for a cruise that is a lot, but never mind)
That really isn't an issue. Both Waverly Station and EDI have Left Luggage facilities. Not sure if you are flying into EDI or arrive by train . . . but you can leave your big cruise bags and travel around foot loose and fancy free . . .
(Three suitcases? -- even for a cruise that is a lot, but never mind)
