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-   -   London to Edinburgh (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/london-to-edinburgh-273967/)

pamk Jan 12th, 2008 02:35 PM

London to Edinburgh
 
What is the best way to get from Edinburgh from London on a budget without too much trouble? Train? Bus? Plane?

If I decide to go to Wales instead, what would be best? And what should I see once I'm there?

Thanks!

MollyBrown Jan 12th, 2008 03:12 PM

Hi pam,

I took the train myself. You can check out the times+fares:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/

I believe it was about 5 hrs though I can't recall what I paid (nothing outrageous) - I booked a few days in advance and scanned the site for the cheapest fare - they varied widely according to what time you left etc.

I thought it was a relatively pleasant train ride myself.

Can't answer your question about Wales sorry.

Have fun,

MollyB

MollyBrown Jan 12th, 2008 03:19 PM

Actually it looks like about 6 hours and the cheapest fare I found was 101E - I thought mine was about 80Eish. I left very early and arrived in London by noon.

Hope that helps,

Molly

crazychick Jan 12th, 2008 04:50 PM

Depending on where you want to go in wales you get a Bmibaby flight to Cardiff from Ediburgh or Glasgow or an easyjet flight to Bistol may want to look at what othere airports in England they both fly to from Scotland.
Then depending on where you want to go catch a train or maybe bus but would need to know where in Wales you were aiming to go. The option culd be to train or fly to London and get a train, but again need to knwo if your tlaking south or North Wales

jent103 Jan 12th, 2008 08:10 PM

Train fares between Edinburgh London vary widely in price depending on how far in advance you book them. I got mine last summer for about $45, but booked well in advance. If you're traveling very soon it could be much more expensive.

I'd prefer to take the train rather than flying. It's more relaxing to me, and although you can find cheap plane tickets, you need to factor in the cost and effort of getting to and from each city's airport, checking in, going through security, etc. Another advantage is that the train will take you from city center to city center, more or less - you end up at King's Cross in London, with quick access to the Tube, rather than one of the airports way outside central London.

I've seen a sleeper train mentioned as one option between the two cities; I can't comment on it myself, but if you're on a budget it could be worth looking into, as it would also save you a night's hotel.

sheila Jan 13th, 2008 02:47 AM

Easyjet, Luton to Edinburgh. Bus to Luton, bus to the town centre.

Me, I'd take the train too.

twk Jan 13th, 2008 09:25 AM

Another vote for the train to Edinburgh.

alanRow Jan 13th, 2008 09:29 AM

<<< Actually it looks like about 6 hours >>>

4h30m normally unless you go up the West coast using Virgin or the East coast on a Sunday with National Express East Coast when tings are done with with the track to make it better

Book the train using www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com as they give a discount for booking through them and it looks as if their website allows overseas folk to both register & book tickets (major bug bear over the past couple of years).

Prices start from £14 ($30) each way if booked around 10 weeks in advance - you have to pick them up at a station that has a fasticket machine though (bring CC & booking reference) as they don't send tickets abroad

The cost of getting to a London airport & from Edinburgh airport can easily be more than this even without the cost of the flight - plus the baggage rules and the ritual humiliations that flying entails

There is another alternative and that's the Caledonian Sleeper service which takes you to Scotland overnight in a bed for as little as £20 if you book a bargain berth


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