lindatx

Helping my son (19) plan his first solo trip. He flies in and out of London, but will staying in Edinburgh. What's the most "interesting" way to get there? Looks like it would be easy to fly - but is there any scenic value to the train or a bus? Would he get to see some interesting countryside, or better to just take a quick flight?

Thanks in advance!

janisj

If he is starting from central London, flying takes just about as long as the train. A bus would be just a gawd awful/long slog mostly over pretty non-scenic motorways.

So, definitely the train. Most of the route is not terribly scenic, but there are good bits from Newcastle to Edinburgh.

He needs to book tix early to get cheap fares.

(EXCEPT - if he intends to head directly up to Edinburgh from LHR and not spend any time in London, flying would be better.)

dotheboyshall

Depends on how many days he wants to take. Otherwise if starting in central London take either a day train from Kings Cross or a night train from Euston

If at an airport then fly. But if he's staying in Edinburgh why fly to somewhere 300 miles away first then spend several hours getting to Edinburgh (ditto on the return)

PatrickLondon

It depends how much time he has for the trip and what he wants to see. If he's arriving with some jetlag, he may not appreciate having to schlep his luggage to King's Cross and then on to a four-hour train ride during which he might (if it were me, I well might) doze off just as the train reaches the scenic bits. It might make for a better balance to fly straight up to Edinburgh for whatever he's doing there, and take the train down to London on the way back.

Or if he's coming for an extended stay to study, or something like that, maybe he could stay a couple of days in London and then take the train up, or vice versa.

PalenQ

Trains are great and can be cheap and he can buy a 16-25 Railcard to get discounts off train fares:

https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/

There is also an overnight train - https://www.sleeper.scot/
between London and Edinburgh.

If traveling elsewhere by train look at the BritRail Youthpass which lets him hop on any train anytime but he'd have to be taking several trains to make it pay off.

Why doesn't he fly to Edinburgh right off and take the train back -if he wants to see London? Ask about add-on fares.

Anyway for lots on British trains check www.nationalrail.co.uk - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Yes there are buses that are dirt-cheap but it's a lot longer ride and more cramped up than a train where you can easily walk around.

Gardyloo

If he's flying into Heathrow it will take far less time, and counting everything might even cost less, just to fly up. The scenic bits of the train ride are (mostly) within an hour or two of Edinburgh (along the Northumberland coast mainly) and could be easily done as day trips from Edinburgh if he was that interested.

Otherwise, there are many short excursions available from Edinburgh that will deliver far more on the scenery/interest front.

Man_in_seat_61

If starting in central London, no contest, take the train.

London to Edinburgh by train takes 4h20 and costs from £25 in standard class or from £53 in 1st class, which includes food and wine at least on weekdays.

There are lots of sights to see on this famous Route of the Flying Scotsman, it is an experience, not just transportation as a flight would be.

For photos of the trains and the sights to see on the way see http://www.seat61.com/london-to-edinburgh-by-train.htm

PalenQ

Those who say that London- Newcastle - Edinburgh is not all that scenic are correct when compared versus ballyhooed scenic railways in Europe or even Britain but for un-jaded foreigners on a first trip to the UK most of the way can be scenic - yes the ubiquitous flocks of sheep can be scenic or the old farmhouses or even when the train inches across the high Newcastle Vaiduct (awesome view of Victorain town, warts and all).

So the whole train ride could be very pleasant for folks just discovering Britain - even things like the York train station - a Victorian wonder built uniquely in a curving form- or the Durham Cathedral in full view.

Nab a seat on the east side of the train for best views Newscastle to Edinburgh.

Fly if you can from Heathrow for convenience (yes schlepping across London by metro can be crowded and a bother with bags and takes forever- and if you buy discounted tickets as flanner says they are train-specific often and non-changeable if you miss the train so you have to build in a lot of fudge factor time if plane is late -or not so unusual going thru Customs and Immigrating slow, etc.

And if you get to Kings X early and have to wait for a train there is always the Champagne Bar in the station or numerous cafes/snack bars/Chinese takeouts nearby.

But do go by train one way at least. See what Britain looks like and it AIN'T all QUAINT, especially at industrial places along rail lines!

PalenQ

Oops was not flanner but Man in Seat 61 who mentioned those discounted tickets!

PalenQ

Stopping off at York en route to Edinburgh or back from it to London is easy -put bags in station or station area luggage storage and walk to the famous York Minster - a wonder of the Christian world. And bop around town -all just a short stroll from the York main train station.

Even on discounted tickets you can do this but you have to arrange that when booking -may cost a bit more not sure but well worth it - York to me is one of Britain's finest cities all in all.

lindatx

Thanks so much for the replies. He is flying in and out of Heathrow but the majority of the trip (which is only 13 days) is touring Scotland (departing and returning Edinburgh). On the way back, due to time constraints, he will fly from Edinburgh to Heathrow to home. I think he plans to take 1 day to wander downtown London when he arrives before he heads to Edinburgh, so if so, sounds like the train would be a great option. If not, sounds like just fly straight to Edinburgh from LHR. And he'll only be carrying a backpack, so not much to schlep either way!

PalenQ

Ah the train will show him some of Britain and give him confidence to travel on his own outside of airports.

SKCStu

I'm with PalenQ, take the train at least one way. He will see some of Britain warts and wonder. I'm from North East England and it has the highs and lows. York train station is a Victorian industrial wonder, Durham is breathtaking, Crossing the River Tyne into Newcastle is bridge fantastic. If he has time to spend an hour or two in Durham or York, it will be time well spent between London and Edinburgh. Durham is tiny and easy to get around and the Cathedral is just AWESOME!

basingstoke2

We took the train from York to Edinburgh and there were some nice views through the windows on the right side of the train facing in the direction that the train is going.