Is it better to take the train or fly to Edinburgh? Taking into consideration the total time needed to fly I think it may be better to just take the train. Any comments?

Also, which web site should I use to look into this?

Again, Thanks.

By the way, I do owe you all a report on our Venice trip last month. I will report back on that trip shortly.

See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34640400 (regarding "Megasbus" vs National Express).

I have no idea why London-Glasgow would be a competitive route (by fares), whereas London-Edinburgh doesn't seem to be served by bus at all. Perhaps others have comments on bus travel (sounds awful to me - - I'd fly Stansted-Prestwick personally, but it depends on the nature of the trip, and whether a rental car would be useful or desirable).

Best wishes,

Rex

we traveled by train from London - Kings Cross - to Edinburgh booked 1st class, due to our getting off a transatlantic flight, on the tube and then right onto the train. The service was superb, the trip is easy and pretty when you are looking out of the window (esp for new visitors to the UK like our 2 teen children) - the times and cost of the flights made 1st class rail a smart choice, esp for a family.

In some cases, it is cheaper to fly than to take the train. We paid just 26 GBP for a one-way ticket from EDI to LHR last year on BMI.

You have to factor in things like the ease of access from your starting point in London to either the airport or Kings Cross and the time of day you need/want to travel; both could affect the total door-to-door time. The train gives you, as an incidental, some good views (Durham Cathedral, the bridges at Newcastle-Gateshead, the sea near Berwick), and it's a fast and comfortable 4.5 hours or so.

So:
www,whichbudget.com (for cheap airline tickets)
www.thetrainline.com (for train prices and fares)
journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk for travel to either the airport or Kings Cross.

I have to go to Edinburgh frequently on business, as always fly BMI from Heathrow - they do good deals, even though they aren't a budget airline, and Heathrow is far more convenient than Stansted. It's an easy cab ride from Edinburgh Airport into the City. Remember that as an internal flight, you need only check in 45 mins before the flight instead of the usual, and they have fast 'machine' check-in and baggage drop off. So as it's business, I find flying better for shear speed.

Having said that, I really enjoy the train ride. It takes you from city centre to city centre and passes through some lovely landscape around the border.

It's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other, so go with the cheapest option (factoring the additional cost of getting to the airport).

Caledonian Sleepers can be as low as 19 pounds including berth in two-person second-class sleeper - these are in very limited supply and can only be booked online: Google Caledonian Sleeper or FirstScott, the rail company operating them. After 19 pounds fares exhausted they go up to 29, 39 and 59 for the places allotted at these bargain fares. 19 pounds London-edinburgh and you save a night's hotel - now that's cheaper than flying! And time efficient as well.

Neither is "best". As Kate says - It's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.

Total travel time is really about the same -- depending on how long it takes you to get to your departure airport. Flying is usually less expensive if you book far enough ahead. The train is more comfortable and scenic.

Where are you staying in London? That would be a factor in deciding which is best.

Still working on plan at this time. We generally stay in Covent Gardens area of town. We are planning on driving out of London for a few days after being there 2 or 3 days. We are planning to return to London to go to Edinburgh and Scotland for 5 days or so. Then home to US.

How long is the train ride? Something like 4.5 hours (according to Patrick)?

Thanks.

Two trains an hour taking about 4.5 hrs. The tracks from Newcastle to Durham were just voted Britain's most scenic railway - this coastal stretch offers breathtaking views of, surprisingly, the smashing coast as well as Berwick bay and Durham cathedral. York is a natural few-hour or overnight stop en route - this is one of UK's finest and most historic cities.

Maybe I'll think about this trip myself.

How reliable is BritRail? It seems like there're so many horror stories about it and I wonder if they're exaggerated. I remember reading some here and also hearing about them from friends in the UK.

BritRail died a mercy-killing death about ten years ago - now have about 28 different rail companies. the East Cost mainline to Edinburgh is one of the finest in UK - trains actually reach 125 mph and more on stretches - two trains an hour - i;'ve ridden several times and no problems - very nice in fact. GNE Great Northeastern Railway runs many services and is one of best franchises i believe. Advance book on web for best fares. (www.nationalrail.co.uk); if traveling much more look at BritRail passes (BritRail passes include passage on all the 28 or so independent railways but owns no trains or tracks, is simply a marketing group based i believe in Coventry that markets BritRail passes.

Thanks. I'll keep this in mind and do some research when I can.

The train between Kings Cross and Edinburgh is actually GNER and is very reliable.

sheinberg, if you've never taken the train on this route, it's really worth doing. If you leave London early in the morning, you will be in Edinburgh in time for lunch. It isn't necessary to get First Class tickets, the regular carriages are fine-you can choose smoking or non-smoking. Get seats on the east/coast/right side of the train so you don't miss the best scenery. Don't miss eating in the restaurant car.

We traveled by train from Kings Cross to Edinburgh. I was happy with the service, comfort and scenery of the trip. We traveled to each of of our destinations by train and found the transportation system easy to use and a great way to travel. The cost was reasonable.

GNER in general has better performance than other UK train companies for several reasons:

- Simple route structure. It's mostly one mainline from King's Cross to Edinburgh.

- The East Coast Main Line is electrified, and straighter than most other lines in the UK.

- In the southern part, most of it is 4-tracks, with the GNER express trains having dedicated tracks. No need to share with the slower locals.

Note that they also run the diesel-engined Intercity 125 on trains that go beyond Edinburgh. But in general, they are as fast, and basically as comfortable as the electric 225 trains.

I saw on thier website that some of their trainsets have been upgrade to Mallad service. Haven't been on those, however.

I plugged in 9/3 for London to Edinburgh and the cheapest is 24 pounds one way. Does this sound right?

What sorts of fares should one expect for this route? I've obviously never tried this before.

24 pounds is a steal!

Probably more useful for me than to others -- but took a look at bahn.de as well to get the intermediate stops (maybe there's a way to do this on BritRail, but I didn't look at it closely enough).

London to York (about 2 hours)
York to Newcastle (about 1 hour)
Newcaste to Edinburgh (about 1.5 hours)

Not all trains stop in Durham, but York to Durham about 45 minutes (next stop is Newcastle).