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-   -   14days travel to UK on 9august15 - 23august15 (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/14days-travel-to-uk-on-9august15-23august15-1035123/)

eddiekhor Jan 20th, 2015 07:12 PM

14days travel to UK on 9august15 - 23august15
 
Hi all,

i would like to need any thoughts/ideas for my planning in august for 4person adults.

we will arrive on 9th aug 15 in london and sad to say leaving on 23rd august at same airport.

we are planning to discover London, york, bath, manchester, Scotland and ireland.

and also, as i know train ticket not cheap if compare to easyjet sometimes so hope to listen you guys thoughts.

thanks,

Rubicund Jan 21st, 2015 02:30 AM

You don't have enough time to visit, let alone discover all those places in 14 nights, especially with the distance between them and the time it will take to move to the next place. You seriously need to cut down on the stops once you've decided what is a must, but I'd do no more than 3 of those on your list and leave Ireland and Scotland for the next time.

txgirlinbda Jan 21st, 2015 02:56 AM

Let's look at it a little more in detail:

You arrive on the 15th. That day is going to be settling in, adjusting to time difference, getting your bearings.
London can easily use up 4 days. Bath, two days.
What is you reason for Manchester?
I'd suggest London, and either Manchester/York OR Bath/surrounding area. ie, go north of south of London, not both. Plan ahead and book your train tickets as soon as your itinerary is set.

If you haven't booked flights and you really want to do the whirlwind tour, fly in to London, spend your days there, then train north to York/Scotland, fly home from Scotland. But don't forget the half-day (at least) that you'll lose every time you change locations.

23 - check out and depart. That's really only 8 nights and 7 full days to play with.

Tony2phones Jan 21st, 2015 03:00 AM

Not sure the attraction of Manchester?

London to Bath easy enough 1 1/2 hours train from Paddington. Bath to York forget it London to York 2 hours from Kings cross. So Bath as a day trip from London before leaving for York.

York to Edinburgh 2 1/2 hours by train direct, Edinburgh to Belfast/Dublin (not UK) coach and sail is the leisurely route.

Rail tickets can be purchased 3 months in advance and if booked 3 months before the day of travel can be had really cheaply booking today for the 14 of April London to York £13.00 set up alerts on https://www.thetrainline.com

Now all you need to do is work out how much time for each location, what you want to see, do and how get around Scotland and the island of Ireland.

ESW Jan 21st, 2015 03:03 AM

Way too way busy, you won't 'discover' anything at this speed. You will end up spending a lot of time travelling and see a lot of not very much. Definitely leave Ireland for another time.

Where are you coming from and are you likely to be get lagged? Also how are planning to travel around the UK? Are you intending to hire a car or are you relying on using public transport?

What age range are you and what things are you interested in (sights, shopping, museums, football, walking, scenery, history, food, pubs....)

It would help if we knew why you decided on London, York, Bath and Manchester and what your expectations of each are.

Rubicund Jan 21st, 2015 03:10 AM

Tony, what's the attraction of Manchester? How long have you got? :)

Tony2phones Jan 21st, 2015 09:23 AM

Rubicund spent a long time in/around Manchester, still have family in M9,16,27 and 31.

PalenQ Jan 21st, 2015 09:42 AM

Well do not forget checking into the BritRail Pass if you have 4 people traveling on trains together - the Party Pass gives adults #3 and 4 and up to the 9th) 50% off the cost of a pass - share that amongst all four and you may have a surprisingly good deal - can hop on any train anytime - except overnight trains.

For lots of great info on British trains and passes, etc check out www.seat61.com - good dope on discounted tickets which however often have severe restrictions on changes from a specific train and refunds; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. www.nationalrail.co.uk is the site for schedules and fares and booking discounted tickets for all British trains.

Great if you want flexibility to hop any train anytime and the Party Pass angle can make it a sweete deal but compare available fares and if at all close go for the pass and complete flexibility.

PalenQ Jan 22nd, 2015 10:05 AM

If you want to get back to London quickly and not use valuable daytime touring time you can take the Calendonian Sleeper trains from Edinburgh and other Scotish places to London (except Sat night I believe) - save on the cost of a hotel and travel time - some folks however cannot sleep well as there is a modicum of noise always on night trains or really from the outside - announcements in stations, noise of wheels and gtracks, etc.

BigRuss Jan 22nd, 2015 02:58 PM

All these places have been discovered: London, york, bath, manchester, Scotland and ireland.

There is no way you can reasonably visit all six locations (even if "ireland" = Dublin only and "Scotland" = Edinburgh/Glasgow only) in two weeks.


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