cbaird

We will be in Manchester, England for a few days visiting family and would like to go to Scotland but we will only have one day. They have a car and we are willing to get up and on the road at say, 4 in the morning as I think it is about a 4 hour drive to Edinburgh. My daughter would like to visit the castle there. We will be there in late July, can anyone who has been there tell us if this plan even makes sense? I have no idea what the crowds might be like. Also, are there other things to do/see in the area before we head back later in the day? Or, if you had this scenario, can you suggest another place tin Scotland to visit within a hard days drive from Manchester that might be as scenic/fun?
Thanks!
Cindy

jent103

If your family can take you to the Manchester train station, that might be easier (and slightly shorter) than driving yourselves. Once you get to Edinburgh, anything you'd want to see in a day is in walking distance of the train station.

Late July is close to the Edinburgh Festivals, but I don't know exactly when they start. Others will have to advise you on the crowds. Assuming those are reasonable - I think it's all a matter of how much effort you're willing to go to to see the castle and whatever else you can do in the time you have. Could you give it an overnight? That would make things less rushed.

cbaird

Looking at the train times you are right, not much difference in travel time. I was not sure if the "royal mile"/castle area was within walking distance of the train station, so if it is that would be great. There would be the expense of the train tickets, but it would be more relaxing I would think. What are the trains like, do you know? Can you actually see the countryside or are you all closed in? I don't think we can do an overnite in Edinburgh so we are just going to have to go for it and be tired I think...

adrienne

<< Can you actually see the countryside or are you all closed in >>

Trains have big windows. You can look out. The countryside is beautiful.

Some trains have seating for 4 with 2 seats on each side facing each other and a table in between. Try to get one of these seats.

basingstoke2

The walk from the train station to the royal mile, castle area is an easy one, perhaps 15-20 minutes, about 1/3 up hill. I can't speak for the train from Manchester, but when we travelled from York to Edinburgh, the train was very clean, roomy and comfortable and the views, particularly from the right hand in the direction of travel were very nice, much of it along the coast.

historytraveler

Actually there's probaly about an hours difference. A direct train will take a little under 3 1/2 hours. According to the AA route planner site, it'll take 4 hours but one always needs to add to that so you end up with about a 4 1/2 hour journey.

Not sure what you mean by being "closed in", it's a train with windows ( reserve window seats), and you'll see as much as you would in a car.

It's not too bad of walk from Waverly Station to the castle. For an idea as to how far and how long it'll take to walk there, go to www.walkit.com

cbaird

Thank you all for the train info. Sorry but living in Texas I have never actually been on a train so I didn't know how to picture it. I think that is the way to go, am going to suggest it to my brother in law that we are staying with in Manchester so we can start planning the day. Thank you all for the help!
Cindy

Mimar

Traveling by train in Europe is wonderful. You sit in roomy, comfortable seats and the scenery slides by. There's a toilet at the end of the car and probably a restaurant in another car. Or buy a picnic lunch in the Manchester train station.

Train tickets can be expensive in Britain. You can save a considerable amount of money booking ahead.

historytraveler

In recent years I've yet to see a restaurant on a train. Trains in Great Britain will either have a snack bar in one car where you can purchase drinks and small snacks or someone will wheel a cart through the train so you can make your selection from there. Tea and coffe comes in plastic cups. I'd certainly wait until I got to Edinburgh or pick up something at the Manchester station.

I'm not sure I'd describe the seats as roomy depends on whether you're in first class or not, and some trains do not offer first class seats. However, the seats are fine, and I think you'll enjoy the trip. Much more relaxing and a new experience.

I suggest that you get a direct train, so you don't have to bother with changes. It'll be faster too.

alanRow

"In recent years I've yet to see a restaurant on a train."

East Coast has them - but the reports are that from 22nd May they'll be no more.

So it will be a snack trolley or a long trundle down the train to some cafe for heated sarnies & burgers

There's sure to be a M&S Simply Food at Manchester, there certainly is at Edinburgh so pick up some food for travel each way

jent103

Yes, absolutely get a direct train (not all of them are - check nationalrail.co.uk and look at the number of changes), and take food with you. In my experience, sometimes there's a snack trolley, sometimes a snack bar, but rarely have I wanted to eat anything from either. Your relatives will probably know specifics about the train station.

Some trains are very nice, some trains are older and not as nice. Just depends on the route and company, I think. I've taken trains in the UK probably 20 trips total. I've had a couple that were really crowded, and just one ride that was just plain bad (broken A/C, hen & stag parties getting the party started early...). The rest range from "fine" to "great." I'd prefer it hands down to driving in a foreign country, dealing with parking in Edinburgh and paying for gas (remember that petrol is considerably more expensive in the UK than you're used to in Texas).

You *will* save money by buying tickets early - the UK prices train tickets kind of like Southwest airfares, such that the cheap tickets are gone once they're gone. You can buy up to about three months in advance; the site I listed above will take you directly to the train company site once you pick the trip you want.

Fife

Edinburgh is as beautiful city as you will ever see. When you exit Waverley station, walk through the east Princes Street gardens to the Mound. Walk up the Mound to the Royal Mile. Turn right and enjoy the walk up to the castle, which is more than worth a tour.

I recommend Deacon Brodie's Tavern for lunch. It will be busy, but their haggis, neaps and tatties are worth fighting the crowd for. Deacon Brodie was an upstanding citizen by day and a burglar by night. Robert Louis Stevenson was said to have modeled Jekyll and Hyde after him.

Another good Edinburgh story is that of Greyfriars Bobby, the ultra faithful dog. A memorial fountain to him is near Deacon Brodie's, and his master John Grey is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

michele_d

Hi Cindy,
Since you only have one day you might want to take a tour from one of the two companies listed below. The tours last 1-2 hours and are fun and informational. We took one tour from each of the companies and really enjoyed them, especially the underground vaults which you can only visit on a tour. The Greyfriar's Kirk (cemetery) has some beautiful headstones and carvings if you like that sort of thing. I do. You will love Edinburgh.

Michele

http://www.mercattours.com http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/pl...nd-prices.aspx

sheila

Not sure even M&S is open at 4 in the morning.

twk

Are you planning to stay overnight? If so, I guess this would be feasible by train. Waverly station is smack dab in the middle of Edinburgh, a couple of blocks north of the Royal Mile. You woulnd't want to drive in that part of town anyway. Take the train to Waverly and stay overnight in one of the nearby hotels. We stayed at the Raddisson, but there are a couple of other hotels (Jury's and Travelodge, if I recall correctly) also right there in easy walking distance.

As far as getting around when you get there, you might want to take a taxi up the hill to the castle, then walk back down hill.

soogies

saving for me

janisj

soogies: instead of topping all these old threads, why not e-mail them to yourself (see the "Share w/ a friend" up top? In this case the 'friend' would be you . . . )