Kaneohe

I am planning a holiday in the UK and need some advice on trains. I fly into LHR on April 28 and am planning to catch a flight later that afternoon to Edinburgh; flights are cheap and it would be convenient since I'm already at LHR. After 4-5 days in Edinburgh, I plan to take the train to London. A few questions:
1. Is the train ride from Edinburgh to London using the same route as the London to Edinburgh train? If not, is one direction more scenic than the other? I could adapt my travel plans to accomodate a more scenic train ride.
2. Is one train line better than the other? I've seen Virgin, the Flying Scotsman, and other names and am a little confused. Do these companies operate their own trains (thus the trains may be equipped differently or provide different services to their passengers) or are they just selling seats on one common (government operated?) train?
Thanks, I'm sure I'll have some follow-up questions once I've read your responses.

TimS

While they are all under the National Rail umbrella, there are many separate and distinct train companies in the UK.

To book the cheapest fares for daytime travel (Edinburgh Waverley-London Kings Cross), go to www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com. Walk-up fares for long distance train travel are very expensive (over £100 for this route), but advance purchase fares for this route can be as low as £12. Currently, the lowest fare for your projected travel dates is £32.50.

For overnight travel on the Caledonian Sleeper (Edinburgh Waverley-London Euston) book on the ScotRail site, www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper/index.html.

Gordon_R

To answer your other question, the trains run on the same route in both directions, there is no difference. The east coast main line (which covers Edinburgh to Kings Cross) is one of the more scenic railways routes in the UK, particurly as it runs along by the North Sea down thru the Borders and down into Durham.

rogeruktm

I agree that the East coast ride is scenic and I have taken this route many times. However, you could take the Virgin train from Haymarket station to Birminghan, transfer, and then onto London Euston station. I have done this, but given the option I surely would take the NXEC train down the East coast side to London's King Cross station.

hanl

Just a tip if you do take the east coast line down to London - try to sit on the left hand side of the train (facing the direction of travel) between Edinburgh and Newcastle as you'll get the best views - crashing waves, cliffs etc. (The really scenic bit is quite short but totally beautiful.)

alanRow

>>

Try to book a train that stops at Durham then you'll get one of the greatest views in the UK

Kaneohe

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I'll stick with my original plan and fly up (LHR to Edinburgh) and then take the train down (Edinburgh to Kings Cross).

Do I get to select my seat like on the airplane? If not, how do I request a seat on the left side?

Are meals served on the train or should I bring a lunch? I'll be first class.

Kaneohe

Can someone tell me the difference betweent the following two types of trains running between Edinburgh and York:
GR National Express East Coast
XC Cross Country

Is one better than the other?

Also, when purchasing via the web, do I get to select my seat or is it automatically assigned?

Thanks

TimS

National Express East Coast and CrossCountry are different train COMPANIES, not types of trains.

There is open seating according to class. If you want a seat reservation, just ask for one at any National Rail station. They're free.

TimS

For a page describing food service on NXEC trains, go here: http://tinyurl.com/crh95w. For a page describing food service on CrossCountry trains, go here: http://tinyurl.com/czef74.