Well they would or should fly if landing at London airports and going straight away to Scotland -otherwise yes why fly. and yes first class way way nicer -on day trains!

>>That is cheap cheap <<

That's a terrific fare. Do verify what food/meals are served. Weekend service is different than weekday

>>Why would anybody fly?<<

Sensible people don't - IF they are starting from central London. If they are at one of the airports or somewhere else in southern England, flying can/does often make sense.

That's great news Philip and terrific prices too. Fingers crossed the NationallRail site helped with the exact date to buy at the best price. As I mentioned before, it has saved me a lot of money over the years.

Bill

You can also check the Caledoninan Sleeper (ScotRail) site for fares.

Couple items:
Yes Bill, heard from NationalRail giving me heads up to go make reservations. Thanks. However, because I am obsessive, I noticed that I could make reservations a couple hours before I received their email. NOW, I had requested Virgin website to notify me as well. Still waiting for their email.

I do remember that the food beverage service is greatly restricted on the week-ends. I will check that out before departure. Don't want to run out of wine on a 4 1/2 hour train trip.

Kings Cross/St Pacras has a TON of good food options/shops (especially in St Pancras) so you can pick up yummy stuff and wine to take with you.

Thanks Philip, I'd no idea you could purchase a few hours earlier. I will do just that the next time I'm booking up.

Bill

How much wine is required 'to not run out' in 4.5 hours? Curious.

To add to OP's question, from Waverley on Apr 25, should I choose London (Any) if Aldgate East is nearest to my hotel? Don't want to make the same mistake when i failed to booked London - ABS for my outbound on May 01

Yes you can book a ticket through to Aldgate East. But your train journey will terminate at Kings Cross. From there to Aldgate E. will be on the Tube. If you can manage your luggage on the walk, stairs, escalators, crowded tube car etc. then book an all inclusive ticket. But if you have any luggage to speak of, I'd just book Edinburgh to London/Kings Cross and take a taxi from there to your hotel.

if you want to go to Aldgate East, on virgintrainseastcoat.com you choose a ticket from Edinburgh to London Zone U1, which includes an onward journey from Kings Cross to any tube station in zone 1.

@janisj- we (3) travel with check-in luggage each and we can manage stairs and escalators but what worries us is the crowded tube car. thanks
@sofasogood - yes am using the virgin train app so it should be London Zone U1. thanks

April 25 is a Wednesday so as long as it is after 9:00ish in the morning and before say 4:30ish in the afternoon the tubes should be easy to navigate. You will need to take the Hammersmith and City line direct to Aldgate East.

How far is your hotel from Aldgate East tube station? Unless it is right next to the staton, and with three of you, I'd probably just go to Kings Cross and take a taxi from there.

Which hotel is it?

Arbor city hotel. According to google map, it's 320 meters away

So you are OK walking the equivalent of 3.5 football fields - possibly in he rain - from the station to the hotel? I'd just take a cab from kings cross. . . . Just my 2 cents . . .

Booked ours at £196/3 pax 1st class. DW agrees just to book king cross. FYI, it’s £201 for London U1. Thank you all!