EuropePJV2011

6 of us will visit UK in coming July I would like to seek your advice for my planning.

Our flight will arrive from HK to Heathrow Terminal 3 at 5:25am I plan to connect a flight to Edingburgh in the same morning in Terminal 5. How much time should I allow for it.

The plane depart from T5 at 9:10am and 11:20am

If my return flight leaves Edinburgh at 8:30pm how much time should I allow on a Friday evening from Waverley Train Station??

Is the overnight train from Edinburgh at 11:40pm a good option??

Cathinjoetown

If you have a "real" connection i.e. you are ticketed through and your bags are checked through or carry-on only, you should be fine booking the earler flight.

If you have separately purchased the tickets you may still be all right, particularly if you have carry-on only. You add a lot of time if you have to pick up your checked bags and re-check them on the second flight. In that case, as I am risk-averse, I would book the later flight.

janisj

I'll assume these are separate tickets since your arrival time seems set. I'd definitely book the later flight. Not because the 09:10 isn't doable - it is.

But you are a party of 6 - and that just multiplies the small chance that something goes wrong. A late or missing bag, a hiccup at passport control. I'd feel comfortable myself w/ the 09:10 . . . But not if I had five others w/ me.

"Is the overnight train from Edinburgh at 11:40pm a good option?? "

Sure - depending on your plans in London. If you are visiting/staying over in London the sleeper train is great. Or even an evening train - A 7:30PM train will get you to London before midnight.

EuropePJV2011

Thanks

Any advice on the time required between Central Edinbrugh to flight departure??

The Rabbie's tour finish around 7pm and drop off at Waverly Train Station. Is 8:30pm flight ( last flight back to London Heathrow ) a risky plan??

janisj

"The Rabbie's tour finish around 7pm and drop off at Waverly Train Station. Is 8:30pm flight ( last flight back to London Heathrow ) a risky plan??"

Very risky.

Why not just take the train since you'll be right AT the station?? That wouldn't be the sleeper/overnight train - just a regular 4+ hour journey.

EuropePJV2011

Hi Janisj

One way flight Heathrow to Edinburgh GBP 70, return 107. Yes if I use overnight sleeper it would save the hotel fee. What is the experience for overnight sleeper?? How much would it be?? It cannot be booked unless 12 weeks ahead, would it be risky to leave it too late for a peak seaon July??

I read it in this forum that booking a rail ticket in UK is a bit of a task. This is a bit of concern for me.

PatrickLondon

It's all explained here: http://www.seat61.com/

Ackislander

If your arriving flight is on BA or any of its partners, I would call the airline and see what it would cost you to book the Edinburgh leg on the same ticket.

We made the earlier connection easily coming from Boston last fall, and it is nice in two ways: obviously you get to Edinburgh in time for lunch, but they also gave us a smashingly good breakfast on the 50 minute flight, a nice change from the horrible excuse for a breakfast on the transatlantic leg.

The only negative to taking the night train is not seeing much of the country between Edinburgh and Peterborough, some of which is pretty nice.

janisj

"One way flight Heathrow to Edinburgh GBP 70, return 107"

Even if it is much cheaper, 100% forget about flying back to London. The tour will get you back to Waverly station 'around 7PM'. But they do not run to an precise schedule like airlines/trains do. That 'around 7PM' could very easily be 7:15, 7:30 - or even 8PM if they run into traffic or other issues.

EuropePJV2011

Our flight is Virgin however the idea to save our precious time by flying from Heathrow to Edinburgh came after we booked our flight Sydney to London.

After reading all these I am considering stay that night in Edinburgh and take the day train the next morning

Thanks for all your thoughts

janisj

"After reading all these I am considering stay that night in Edinburgh and take the day train the next morning"

Excellent idea . . .