Edinburgh to Bath - what is best option? train or plane
 

Traveling from Edinburgh to Bath in July. Which is the best option - easyjet to Bristol and then the train to Bath or the train the entire way. By "best" I mean optimum time vs expense. One factor that will slant the decision toward train is if the views from the train are interesting. Thank you

Trins take nearly 7 hours with a few changes en route - scenery OK but nothing to rave about. Flying seems your best option.

Actually door to door the train won't take all that much longer than flying, so do which ever gets you the best fare.


The train may take 'longer' -- but it is city center to city centre. Flying requires getting out to EDI, checking in, the flight, bus from the airport to Temple Meads so easily 4.5 hours or more all in. The train about 6.5 hours.

There is now a direct bus service from Bristol Airport to Bath, which should shave a few minutes off your journey, especially if you are staying outside the city centre.

Details are on the Bristol Airport website.

Well I guess I'd side with janis - the train may not be much longer and if you book at www.nationalrail.co.uk it can be really cheap if you book far enough out a specific train which I think cannot be changed or refunded- for general info on trains check www.seat61.com - great advice on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. Full fare tickets cost an arm and two legs however if you wait until Edinburgh to buy them on a walk up basis.

If you had an extra day by train you could easily stop in the fantastic Lake District about half way or so between Edinburgh and Bath.

Good to know -- less schelpping.

Is the bus faster than the air bus to Temple Meads + the train?

janisj- how would you answer the OP's question about that being a scenic train ride?

I would say not terribly but if someone has never driven or taken a train thru northern Britain and Scotland it could be rather scenic- seeing the sheep-dotted hills, farms, some hills,esp?

Scenery is a factor in OP's decision and I sincerely wonder your expert take on that?

It is not at all scenic really except between Edinburgh and Newcastle and bits and pieces farther along the route.

Thank you all for your advice - views of sheep, hills and farms sounds lovely. If we did want to take our time is there a stop in the Lakes District that can be recommended? Even if only for 5 or so hours?

You could traverse the Lake District by taking a bus from Carlisle, I believe, to Keswick and then a bus to Windermere to catch trains down towards Bath - you would see some of the sweet scenery in the lakes but on a long day already...neat if you could add a day and stay in say Keswick, a sweet regional town or Windermere and its lake.

The direct route from Edinburgh does not go through or anywhere near the Lake District.



If you want to go that way you'll have a whole different trip and would need two days. Edinburgh > Oxenholme > Windermere. (about a 3 hour trip.)

Then Windermere (with THREE changes) to Bath - a 5+ hour journey.

Regarding the quickest way of travelling from Bristol Airport to Bath, this will all depend on day of the week and exct time of departure. You can check the details on TravelineSouthWest at http://www.travelinesw.com

I don't know how the fares compare.

Personally, I would take the direct bus. Every time you have to change, you increase the chance of delay.

The direct route from Edinburgh takes you over what one British magazine called Britain's most scenic train line - the East Coast line between Edinburgh, Durham and Newcastle - mostly all along a lovely coast - Newcastle is a thrill by train as you ever so slowly edge along a high viaduct above the port area and town center.

From there on via Birmingham usually it is more inudstrial but the first half or so of the journey is very very scenic as British trains go.

Sit on the east side of the train (right when coming from Edinburgh) for the best views - not only of the coast but in Durham you can see the famous cathedral and college area just across from the rail line.

>>Sit on the east side of the train (right when coming from Edinburgh)<<

That would be the <u>left</u> side.

thank you all again for your insights. We've decided to fly as it makes the quickest trip (though not by much) and it was a bit cheaper as well (60 GBP vs. 99 GBP). I'm sure those savings will get eaten up by transportation to and from airport but at least we finally pulled the trigger and booked it.

We are traveling by train from London to Edinburgh so we will be experiencing the UK by train for at least part of our trip.

That would be the left side.>

Right!

En route from London to Edinburgh you can easily stop off at York - about midway and to many and me one of the finest cities in Britain with most everything of interest within a short stroll of the train station. May cost a bit more as the cheapest discounted tickets I think do not allow for breaking your journey but a great chance to see one of Britain's great great cities and great great Minster - or cathedral.