danea

I posted a little while back about trying to plan a travel itinerary (since this is my first time planning such a trip) and I've finally gotten around to planning some things so I'm back!


Before I book too much, I'd like some input on if this seems like a good way to spend my time in the UK and Ireland
Dates are December 19th - January 3rd)
19 - Dubiln
20 - Dublin
21 - Dublin
(flight to Bristol - bus to Bath)
22 - Bath
23 - Bath
(train to london)
24 - London
25 - London
26 - London
(bus)
27 - Newcastle
28 - Newcastle
(train)
29 - Edinburgh
30 - Edinburgh
31 - Edinburgh
1 - Edinburgh
(bus)
2 - Glasgow
3 - (on an overnight bus from Glasgow to London to then catch a flight back to Spain)

The only thing that is set in stone is Edinburgh (Accommodations and hogmanay tickets booked). And ideally Christmas in London.

Looking at a map I feel like the order of some things seem a bit strange but this is the cheapest way I have found flights/trains for.

Lastly, Newcastle.. is it actually worth visiting? I'm undecided and would be open to other suggestions for cities. I'm just looking for somewhere to spend 2 nights between London and Edinburgh.

Any advice on things to change on the itinerary or things to see/do in the cities I mentioned are more than welcome

jamikins

For london be prepared as there is NO public transit at all on 25 Dec so make sure you have central accommodations so you can walk. Also might want to make reservations for Xmas lunch or dinner in advance unless you want ethnic food like Indian.

Xmas eve things in central London start to shut down late afternoon, early evening although you will find a few pubs open.

Boxing Day us a big shopping day but transit runs on a holiday schedule, so slightly less frequently.

Just things to keep in mind! The lights and atmosphere in london over Xmas I think s great!

danea

Thanks for the reply!
Good to know, I'll be sure to look for something central for accommodations.

jamikins

Www.walks.com does walks on Xmas eve and Xmas day which are really good.

ESW

Rather than Newcastle, have you thought about Durham, with its magnificent cathedral?

The other alternative would be York.

danea

thanks for the link! That's exactly the sort of thing I need!

I hadn't actually. I had no idea what to do with those 2 days. I'll look into those cities. Thank you both!

sanderskn

Looks good but I would add one more day to London and subtract one from Edinburgh.

danea

I could add to London by removing 1 from Newcastle (or Durham, York, wherever I go), but edinburgh is booked already. Reason it's longer is because I'm meeting up with friends there (the rest of the trip is solo)

MmePerdu

Must you go all the way back to London at the end? No flights closer or from Glasgow?

danea

Or I could take one off Bath I suppose. either or

danea

If I fly directly from Glasgow (Or Edinburgh for that matter) it's a lot more expensive unfortunately

danea

since the whole trip only includes three flights I hadn't though of looking at multi city or open. that's a good idea!
Do you have any website suggestions for that ? I've never booked an open ticket before

jamikins

Most airlines have the option on their flight page...

danea

yeah I just saw that. tried a couple different websites but it's more expensive sadly. Almost triple what my flights are currently actually

janisj

jamiekins: Did you mean to post your e-mail address? (Looks like maybe you were typing 'jaw' and maybe autofill did the rest)

You can ask the moderators to remove the post if you want.

danea: I'd leave your itinerary as is (but flying home from Scotland if you can work that out) w/ couple of tweaks: Cut one day from Dublin (add that spare day to London) and instead of Newcastle either 2 nights in York or 1 in York and 1 in Durham.

danea

Thanks janisj, so general consensus is to add a day to London so I'll try and do that.
I'll look into York as well.
Thanks everyone for the great input

jamikins

Thanks janisj, no idea how I did that - stupid auto correct! I have asked for it to be removed.

PalenQ

3 - (on an overnight bus from Glasgow to London to then catch a flight back to Spain)>

You can also get some super cheap advance purchase fares on Caledonian Sleepers Glasgow to London that may be a bit more comfy than a stuffed bus

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sleeper

And the bus London to Newcastle could take much longer than a train and you can also get dirt-cheap train fares by booking way way in advance - go to the East Coast Line website or www.nationalrail.co.uk. For lots on British trains: www.seat61.com.

danea

thanks for the links Palen!

will look at them right away !

GreenDragon

York is fantastic - it's a lovely city, but then again, so is Edinburgh. You'll have a grand time. Just keep in mind short days and long nights.