London and Edinburgh and Glasgow-Oh My!
 

Hello-

My husband and I are traveling between these three cities for 10 days in June (5 in London, 3 in Edinburgh, 2 in Glasgow). I have already gotten so much useful information from perusing the boards! I just have a few specific questions for the experts out there. Thank you so much in advance for any advice-I would not even think of traveling without taking a look at the invaluable Fodor's Board.

1) We will be traveling by train (after deliberation) for the scenery since we are not renting a car at all and will not see the countryside otherwise. Can we take the Tube from our hotel (location is on the Strand/near Wellington Street-nearest Tube station is Covent Garden looks to be some blocks away) to King's Cross Station with luggage quite easily or is that more trouble than its worth and a taxi would be smarter?--(regarding budget we are not adverse to spending reasonable-$20 or under-money in order to avoid undue stress on vacation) How long should we leave to get there if we are trying for a Wednesday train at 12 noon?

2) We will book in advance with GNER site to save $ and pick up at Fast Tickets. This seems to be pretty dependable. If we get two StandardAdvance2 tickets, will we get seat assignments? Will they be together? I see 20 Pounds each for the Standard Advance2 tix and 29.50 pounds each for the 1st Advance1 tix--I am assuming that I have missed the super cheap StandardAdvance1 tix and, since the prices are closer, is it worth it to book first class-for seat assignments, ease of storing luggage, etc.?

3) I have looked into booking Edinburgh Glasgow route ahead of time too but read on some posts it is not necessary (no $ to be saved)-do you agree?

4) How long would you leave to get to Glasgow Airport on a Monday morning to make an 11:30 flight? We are staying at Babbity Bowster on Blackfriars Street (off High Street/Bell Street)

Thank you so much for any help you can give!

1) Define luggage, if it's "everything plus the kitchen sink" then you'll have problems. If you can carry it rather than rolling it then you won't. Covent Garden BTW is the nearest Tube station & I don't think you could get a bus

2) 1st class will be less crowded so storing luggage will be easier

3) you don't save any money so why bother booking in advance

4) leave that for the Glasgow expert, just ensure you are going to Glasgow airport as opposed to Prestwick

When my family travelled by train from Kings Cross to Edinburgh, we had reserved standard seats. There were four of us, all adult, and we had four large cases plus carry-on type bags. We had no trouble finding space for our luggage on the train. We also reserved four seats with a table, which is quite handy. There are also seats without tables.

I would go for 1st class as it is much less crowded and therefore more comfortable. Seat reservations are together.
Regarding the tube v taxi, either way, I would try to avoid rush hour when everyone is on their way to and from work. Covent Garden has lots of steps and a small, rather unreliable lift. It is the worst tube station that I have been on for carrying luggage, so I think I would go for the taxi.
Have a good trip,
Carolena

Sallyanne - if you go to Edinburgh, try to visit Roslyn Chapel, just outside the orbital motorway going around Edinburgh. Not many tourists know of this very old medieval chapel. However, since its mention in the De Vinci Code, it will probably get bombarded by hordes of people, but its still worth seeing.

If your flight is at 11.30am, you will have a 9.30 check in for International. You should be able to do it easily in half an hour by taxi. The roads will still be busy from the rush hour, but you're going aginst the traffic.

How on earth did you fine the Bowster?

(In parenthesis I have to say that this level of micromanaging just blows my mind!!- that's not a criticism, for the avoidance of doubt)

$20 is more than enough for a cab from the strand to Kings Cross.

It will take about 20 mins (traffic is very unreliable).

In first class you should be able to get a set of 2 single seats facing each other across a table, as opposed to a set of 4 round a table where you might have to sit next to or opposite other people.

Where are you staying in Edinburgh, out of interest ?

tropo, Rosslyn Chapel has been mobbed with tourists for a few years now, ever since the DVC became popular.

&quot;<i>Not many tourists know of this very old medieval chapel.</i>&quot;

Caroline beat me to it. This info is soooo very out of date. Basically the experience of visiting Rosslyn Chapel has been ruined for a few years now. Full coach groups and hundreds of visitors a day.

The days of being able to get close to the 'prentice Pillar, or have a quiet visit are <b>long</b> gone. It is a real pitty.

-- and many (probably most) of those visitors have no interest in anything except the DaVinci Code connections --

Despite frequent tours of Scotland, I've never been to Rosslyn Chapel. I placed it on this year's itinerary knowing about the deluge of tourists but still hoping we might manage a reasonable visit. I guess that's not going to happen. Maybe during the off-season? It is disappointing that so many are only interested in the 'Code' connection and will only give a passing thought to the beautiful carvings.

Sorry for hijacking the post.

historytraveler - don't give up just yet. The chapel is trying to devise ways to improve the situation. Timed tickets, or limiting days coaches can stop, or ??? Nothing decided yet - but keep checking for info on-line.

I'm just glad we decided against our initial idea of getting married there. We were assured that by 2000 when we were planning to marry, the scaffolding &amp; metal barn roof type thing would be off - and they are *still there* !!

Thank you all so much for your help-we will go with first class and the taxi and look into Rosslyn--the idea of being mobbed with DaVinci Coders is a bit offputting, though. (Being from NYC, we tend to want to avoid large crowds when we travel if possible)

Sheila-Bowster was found by my husband on this site (possibly from you??:-) And yes, I realize I do have a little problem-LOL

Caroline-We are staying at The Witchery in Edinburgh

Best wishes and thanks again for all of the great advice!

janisj... Thanks for the info. I was hoping something was being done but wasn't vey optimistic. I'll keep checking. I was also wondering if the time of day would make much difference.

Caroline...I've found that renovations seem to take as long as the original construction.

Hi sallyanne. The Witchery - fabulous ! Which room(s) ? We've stayed in 2 for birthdays, the Old Rectory &amp; the Library.

historytraveler: very true !

Hi Caroline-

We are in the Guardroom-I am so excited! This seems like a really special place to stay.

You will love it ! Make sure you tell them what time you'll be arriving, so they can have everything ready... :-)