London, Brighton, Scotland
Dec 8th, 2015, 07:37 PM
#1
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London, Brighton, Scotland
I'm considering a visit to Scotland in late July, need some advice on the itinerary and best transportation method.
Firstly, I'm thinking of visiting for a week, maybe two, depending on the answers I get on here.
I'm thinking of flying to London and then continuing the journey to Scotland (I'm thinking Edinburgh) by train. In Scotland, I'll probably rent a car to explore. Same thing for the return journey except in reverse: going back to London by train, probably spend a night there, and then fly back home.
Some questions I have:
1) Would you recommend regular or sleeper train?
2) Where should I base myself in Scotland, any recommendation of a particular hotel / B&B?
3) If I don't want to drive, is there any way for me to still be able to visit some of Scotland's natural landscapes (public bus/shuttle bus/train)?
4) I have a friend who lives in Brighton who's keen to meet up. How can I fit Brighton into my itinerary?
Thank you so much!
PS. I'm the kind of traveler who is very mellow. I like slow travel, enjoying the surroundings, observing people, walking / hiking / biking aimlessly. Not much for parties or nightlife.
Firstly, I'm thinking of visiting for a week, maybe two, depending on the answers I get on here.
I'm thinking of flying to London and then continuing the journey to Scotland (I'm thinking Edinburgh) by train. In Scotland, I'll probably rent a car to explore. Same thing for the return journey except in reverse: going back to London by train, probably spend a night there, and then fly back home.
Some questions I have:
1) Would you recommend regular or sleeper train?
2) Where should I base myself in Scotland, any recommendation of a particular hotel / B&B?
3) If I don't want to drive, is there any way for me to still be able to visit some of Scotland's natural landscapes (public bus/shuttle bus/train)?
4) I have a friend who lives in Brighton who's keen to meet up. How can I fit Brighton into my itinerary?
Thank you so much!
PS. I'm the kind of traveler who is very mellow. I like slow travel, enjoying the surroundings, observing people, walking / hiking / biking aimlessly. Not much for parties or nightlife.
Dec 8th, 2015, 11:21 PM
#3
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For London to Inverness or Ft William, I'd recommend the Caledonian Sleeper - it saves a day, it's a unique experience, with great scenery over breakfast. Book the sleeper direct with the operator at www.sleeper.scot
The London-Fort William sleeper is IMHO the Best Train Journey in Britain, bar none, see my photos and a video I took earlier this year (albeit southbound) at http://www.seat61.com/deerstalker.htm
If you're only going London-Edinburgh then although there is a sleeper, the day trains only take 4h20 from £25 if you book at www.virgintrainseastcoast.com so I'd probably stick with the day trains.
London-Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line is an interesting journey in itself - I've written a journey guide of what there is to see on the journey at http://www.seat61.com/london-to-edinburgh-by-train.htm
Make sure you sit on the right-hand side of the train for all the best views, if necessary ignoring your reserved seats and sitting in any unoccupied unreserved seats.
The London-Fort William sleeper is IMHO the Best Train Journey in Britain, bar none, see my photos and a video I took earlier this year (albeit southbound) at http://www.seat61.com/deerstalker.htm
If you're only going London-Edinburgh then although there is a sleeper, the day trains only take 4h20 from £25 if you book at www.virgintrainseastcoast.com so I'd probably stick with the day trains.
London-Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line is an interesting journey in itself - I've written a journey guide of what there is to see on the journey at http://www.seat61.com/london-to-edinburgh-by-train.htm
Make sure you sit on the right-hand side of the train for all the best views, if necessary ignoring your reserved seats and sitting in any unoccupied unreserved seats.
Dec 9th, 2015, 03:33 AM
#4
I'd think about
Land at Heathrow and take flight to Edinburgh straight away ( or even fly in)
Do your business in Scotland, use one of the better tour companies for a tour out of Edinburgh but note that the Festival is in August and the place becomes Manic
Then Train to London as Man says, then train to Brighton to see your friend then fly home.
Land at Heathrow and take flight to Edinburgh straight away ( or even fly in)
Do your business in Scotland, use one of the better tour companies for a tour out of Edinburgh but note that the Festival is in August and the place becomes Manic
Then Train to London as Man says, then train to Brighton to see your friend then fly home.
Dec 9th, 2015, 03:41 AM
#5
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Hi seat 61, I didn't know you were on this forum. Your website helped me a lot when I was planning my trip in Italy last May so, thanks for that!
I'll check out all the links you've provided but just a quick question, since I plan to go in late July, how's the crowd like on the train during this time?
I'll check out all the links you've provided but just a quick question, since I plan to go in late July, how's the crowd like on the train during this time?
Dec 9th, 2015, 04:07 AM
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It's only 4.5 hours London To Scotland using the daytime service and I do it a fair bit. So I'd go for that - sleeper trains are usually more expensive, and you often don't get a great nights sleep and are thus a zombie next day, so it isn't always the big time saving some people think.
Either Glasgow or Edinburgh will work as a base and they are only an hour apart by train so you can visit one from the other if you fancy it. I personally think its a bit of a shame not to have a car so you can explore the highlands unaided. My ideal itinerary would be 2-3 days in a hotel in one of the cities, then maybe 5 days to a week driving round the highlands either using b&bs, or having one base, say a cottage in or near Plockton, and exploring from there as a series of day trips. It is the easiest driving imaginable because the roads are quiet and you are unhurried by much other traffic. I suppose you could book a tour, but it strikes me as a poor second.
Brighton is an easy peasy lemon squeezy day trip by train from London. An hour each way.
Either Glasgow or Edinburgh will work as a base and they are only an hour apart by train so you can visit one from the other if you fancy it. I personally think its a bit of a shame not to have a car so you can explore the highlands unaided. My ideal itinerary would be 2-3 days in a hotel in one of the cities, then maybe 5 days to a week driving round the highlands either using b&bs, or having one base, say a cottage in or near Plockton, and exploring from there as a series of day trips. It is the easiest driving imaginable because the roads are quiet and you are unhurried by much other traffic. I suppose you could book a tour, but it strikes me as a poor second.
Brighton is an easy peasy lemon squeezy day trip by train from London. An hour each way.
Dec 9th, 2015, 06:40 AM
#7
Rabbies is your best bet if you want to get to another part of Scotland (either from Edinburgh or Glasgow -- more departures from Edinburgh).
They use small buses and are typically around 12 passengers so it isn't at all like the big bus tours. They do day trip and multi day tours.
https://www.rabbies.com/edinburgh_tour_departures.asp
>>I'm thinking of flying to London and then continuing the journey to Scotland (I'm thinking Edinburgh) by train.<<
This depends - by 'continuing the journey' do you mean immediately after arriving at LHR, or after your stay in London. If it was me I wouldn't split my time in London and put it at the end.
I'd fly immediately up to EDI from LHR and do Edinburgh first so you are out of there before August. With all the festivals and the Tattoo, the city gets EXTREMELY crowded and room rates triple. But if you can get to Edinburgh in July before the Fringe/festivals you'll have a much easier time.
You would really need two weeks though . . . after 2 or 3 days in Edinburgh, collect a rental car to tour around a few bits of Scotland for maybe 7 or 8 days (you'd have to be selective because you can't 'do' Scotland in a week. Then take the day train down to London for 4-6 days (which is short for London)
They use small buses and are typically around 12 passengers so it isn't at all like the big bus tours. They do day trip and multi day tours.
https://www.rabbies.com/edinburgh_tour_departures.asp
>>I'm thinking of flying to London and then continuing the journey to Scotland (I'm thinking Edinburgh) by train.<<
This depends - by 'continuing the journey' do you mean immediately after arriving at LHR, or after your stay in London. If it was me I wouldn't split my time in London and put it at the end.
I'd fly immediately up to EDI from LHR and do Edinburgh first so you are out of there before August. With all the festivals and the Tattoo, the city gets EXTREMELY crowded and room rates triple. But if you can get to Edinburgh in July before the Fringe/festivals you'll have a much easier time.
You would really need two weeks though . . . after 2 or 3 days in Edinburgh, collect a rental car to tour around a few bits of Scotland for maybe 7 or 8 days (you'd have to be selective because you can't 'do' Scotland in a week. Then take the day train down to London for 4-6 days (which is short for London)
Dec 12th, 2015, 12:58 AM
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If you arrive at an airport, and are going straight north, fly to Edinburgh; if you are in the centre of London, take the train. Sleeper to Edinburgh is a bit of a waste. They slow down the journey so you have enough time to actually sleep.
Where to stay to travel depends on how much time you have. If you take a car, Perthshire is a good base with a lot in striking distance.
Rabbies or Timberbush are probably the best for escorted tours. Lots of choice of location and duration and they're good at what they do.
Driving just gives you more flexibility.
A great Fodors pal used to do it all by train, and reckoned teh best part was meeting folk and chatting on the train routes less travelled. Thinking of you today. Roger.
Where to stay to travel depends on how much time you have. If you take a car, Perthshire is a good base with a lot in striking distance.
Rabbies or Timberbush are probably the best for escorted tours. Lots of choice of location and duration and they're good at what they do.
Driving just gives you more flexibility.
A great Fodors pal used to do it all by train, and reckoned teh best part was meeting folk and chatting on the train routes less travelled. Thinking of you today. Roger.
Dec 12th, 2015, 07:02 AM
#9
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Sheila, thanks for remembering Roger. I too was thinking of him the other day. Miss him and his train travel trip reports.
For the OP....In recent years, since I have given up driving except on Skye, I usually combine train trips along with a Rabbbies tour. Works well for me.
For the OP....In recent years, since I have given up driving except on Skye, I usually combine train trips along with a Rabbbies tour. Works well for me.
Dec 12th, 2015, 09:43 AM
#10
you could fly from Edinburgh or Glasgow to LGW on Easyjet and then get the train from there to Brighton to visit your friend, which saves having to slog through London again - the Brighton Line goes through LGW.
End your trip in London by getting the train back there from Brighton.
End your trip in London by getting the train back there from Brighton.
