Best Way to Get from London to St. Andrews?
Jan 20th, 2008, 04:16 PM
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Best Way to Get from London to St. Andrews?
My husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland in mid-May 2008. We will be going to London first for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party and then on to St. Andrews. Can anyone advise on the easiest and/or cheapest way to get from London to St. Andrews? Train to Ediburgh then rent a car or take train to nearest station? Flight to Edinburgh and then rent a car? If flight is best option, does anyone know which of the cheap UK airlines flies to Edinburgh from London (Ryanair seems to go to Glasgow only). We'll be traveling with a 4-year old. Thanks for your advice.
Jan 21st, 2008, 12:16 AM
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You could fly Easyjet from Stansted to Edinburgh - but the savings in travel time are minimal compared to train travel and the cost of getting to Stansted could be higher than the cost of the train from London to Edinburgh
In any case it's a competitive route so you don't need to get a cheap airline - the regular airlines are just as cheap
If you do intend to fly to Edinburgh then the easiest way to Leuchars is to take the 747 bus across the Forth Road Bridge to Inverkeithing to catch a frequent train to Leuchars where there are buses to St Andrews.
You could also fly from London City airport to Dundee then take a taxi to St Andrews from there.
There is the Caledonian Sleeper run by Firstscotrail service from Euston that goes to Leuchars that arrives at 5:45am - which might be a bit early for you but does save a night's accommodation and the Bargain Berths can be extremely cheap (under £20 per person including train fare). A slightly more civilised version would be the sleeper train to Edinburgh which arrives at 7:15am but the station - and city - does have facilities for spending a few hours there without luggage.
If booking the sleeper you really need to go via the firstscotrail website especially if you want a bargain berth.
For other trains use the National Express East Coast website to do the booking and pick up the tickets at Kings Cross using Fastticket. Booking should be done around 8-10 weeks in advance in order to get the best prices BUT there's no guarantee on which date the cheap fares are released so sign up to their email service and keep checking the website from about 12 weeks before travel
In any case it's a competitive route so you don't need to get a cheap airline - the regular airlines are just as cheap
If you do intend to fly to Edinburgh then the easiest way to Leuchars is to take the 747 bus across the Forth Road Bridge to Inverkeithing to catch a frequent train to Leuchars where there are buses to St Andrews.
You could also fly from London City airport to Dundee then take a taxi to St Andrews from there.
There is the Caledonian Sleeper run by Firstscotrail service from Euston that goes to Leuchars that arrives at 5:45am - which might be a bit early for you but does save a night's accommodation and the Bargain Berths can be extremely cheap (under £20 per person including train fare). A slightly more civilised version would be the sleeper train to Edinburgh which arrives at 7:15am but the station - and city - does have facilities for spending a few hours there without luggage.
If booking the sleeper you really need to go via the firstscotrail website especially if you want a bargain berth.
For other trains use the National Express East Coast website to do the booking and pick up the tickets at Kings Cross using Fastticket. Booking should be done around 8-10 weeks in advance in order to get the best prices BUT there's no guarantee on which date the cheap fares are released so sign up to their email service and keep checking the website from about 12 weeks before travel
Jan 21st, 2008, 01:58 AM
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All the main carriers including the cheap UK airlines fly London to Edinburgh. Have a look at Easyjet, Flybmi and flybe to see which if any would suit. Remember that the earlier you book the cheaper the flight.
As there is quite a bit to see around St Andrews I personally would suggest hiring a car at the airport and driving there as this would at some stage during your stay, enable you to drive to the many picturesque coastal fishing villages along the Fife coast.
As there is quite a bit to see around St Andrews I personally would suggest hiring a car at the airport and driving there as this would at some stage during your stay, enable you to drive to the many picturesque coastal fishing villages along the Fife coast.
Jan 21st, 2008, 02:15 AM
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That early sleeper arrival might not be a problem.
You'd have to contact them to find out, but I doubt if they would chuck you off the train at crack of dawn.
I used to take a sleeper quite often from Shrewsbury to London.
It arrived quite early, but they let the passengers sleep until about 7am as far as I remember.
They even woke us with a cuppa ;-)
You'd have to contact them to find out, but I doubt if they would chuck you off the train at crack of dawn.
I used to take a sleeper quite often from Shrewsbury to London.
It arrived quite early, but they let the passengers sleep until about 7am as far as I remember.
They even woke us with a cuppa ;-)
Jan 21st, 2008, 02:29 AM
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<<< That early sleeper arrival might not be a problem.
You'd have to contact them to find out, but I doubt if they would chuck you off the train at crack of dawn. >>>
They would as the train is going to Aberdeen
You'd have to contact them to find out, but I doubt if they would chuck you off the train at crack of dawn. >>>
They would as the train is going to Aberdeen
Jan 21st, 2008, 04:18 AM
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They would as the train is going to Aberdeen
Any fule kno that!
I was making the point that a train company is unlikely to decant you from a sleeper at five in the morning.
Of course, a dour Scottish company might consider it good for the soul ;-)
Any fule kno that!
I was making the point that a train company is unlikely to decant you from a sleeper at five in the morning.
Of course, a dour Scottish company might consider it good for the soul ;-)
Jan 21st, 2008, 04:24 AM
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<<< I was making the point that a train company is unlikely to decant you from a sleeper at five in the morning. >>>
Yes it will as the train continues on to Aberdeen therefore you have to get off at 5:45am and they have a timetable to meet
Yes it will as the train continues on to Aberdeen therefore you have to get off at 5:45am and they have a timetable to meet
Jan 21st, 2008, 05:19 AM
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This train leaves London Euston at 2115 and gets to Aberdeen at 0737 (the Sunday schedule is different). Aberdeen passengers can stay on the train till 0800. Passengers for intermediate stations must obviously alight when the train stops. The first dropping-off point is Inverkeithing at the uncivilised time of 0458, and the train then calls at another seven stations before Aberdeen.
The better alternative is to get the sleeper to Edinburgh: usually 2345 from London Euston, getting to Edinburgh at 0714, then continuing on another train.
The better alternative is to get the sleeper to Edinburgh: usually 2345 from London Euston, getting to Edinburgh at 0714, then continuing on another train.
