RT fare in American $'s & train to Edinburgh
 

Looking for the current roundtrip fare for the Heathrow Express. Also need the same info for the Gatwidck Express. Does Gatwick Exp go to Paddington or Victoria?
We've taken the train from London to Edinburgh before and love the ride, thought we got the train at Paddington, but was just told I was wrong and we have to get it at Kings Cross does anyone know if we can get the train out of Paddington?

see

www.heathrowexpress.com
www.gatwickexpress.co.uk

Gatwick Express goes to Victoria (there are Southern trains to several stations, it's cheaper, but takes a few minutes longer), costs are available on both of their websites (wasn't sure which fares you wanted): http://www.heathrowexpress.com/ and http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/

You can't take the train from Paddington to Edinburgh directly (not hard to transfer from Paddington or Victoria to King's Cross though, just hop on the tube, don't even have to change lines).

It's also possible to go to Edinburgh directly from Euston, but it's not quite as easy to get to as King's Cross, and the trains run considerably less frequently, so there's not really any point.

The sleepers go from Euston.

But if you are starting from LHR or LGW & going straight to Edinburgh, why not fly ? It would be easier & can be as cheap or cheaper than the train - check www.ba.com (LHR & LGW), www.flybmi.com (LHR)& www.easyjet.co.uk (LGW)

Transferring Gatwick or Heathrow to Luton (where easyJet flies to Edinburgh) is not fun, and, given the requirement of being there early (2 hrs, 1 at least) and the transit time out there from central London (nearly an hour), and the expense (~10 GBP), flying is not necessarily much quicker (maybe an hour quicker, depending). Also, IF you book ahead on the train, you can get 12.50 GBP fares, cheaper than any plane fare I've seen to Edinburgh from London. Not saying it's not a possibility, just take everything into account (and if you have to settle for the 50 or so GBP walk up fare to Edinburgh, flying is probably cheaper).

Easyjet fly from Gatwick (4 times a day), Luton (6 times) & Stansted (6 times) to Edinburgh.

However it isn't worth changing airports unless you get a VERY GOOD deal and have lots of time as the train - if booked 4-5 weeks in advance - will work out far cheaper

Note that I did only recommend Easyjet *from Gatwick* (if the OP is arriving into Gatwick).

But OP before me said "Transferring Gatwick or Heathrow to Luton (where easyJet flies to Edinburgh) " which as I pointed out is wrong

Got to agree with Caroline and disagree with grsing. Flying from Gatwick or Heathrow would be much better (faster, cheaper) than taking a train into central London, trnsferring stations and training it to Edinburgh.

Also remember that London-Edinburgh is a domestic flight and as such has much reduced check-in times (45 mins). BMI also operates fast, self-service check-in and bag drop off. The taxi from Edinburgh airport will drop you into the centre in about 20mins (or maybe less).

So, timewise by train (from the arrival hall of, say, Gatwick). 30 mins Gatwick Express, 30 mins cross London tube (inc. walking/dragging your bags around), c.30 mins hanging around Kings Cross waiting for your train, 4.5 hours train journey to Edinburgh. Total time: 6 hours.

By plane: 1 hour check in, 1 hour flight, 30 min baggage collection (domestic flight so no immigration) 20 min taxi into Edinburgh: 3 hours max.

If coming from Gatwick & wanting to get a train from Kings Cross, it's probably better to get the THAMESLINK service from Gatwick to Kings Cross Thameslink station & walk 200 yards.

As I keep saying you don't have to get the Gatwick Express in order to get into London

&quot;<i>As I keep saying you don't have to get the Gatwick Express in order to get into London</i>&quot;

True enough. But for vstanton to travel (from EITHER airport) into central London to catch a train to Edinburgh makes no sense.

They can fly direct and it would be faster, cheaper, and <b>much</b> less hassle.

Southern Trains LGW to King's Cross Thameslink.

3-minute walk...

GNER King's Cross to Edinburgh.

Just a note on this. This past Novermber I flew United from San Francisco to Heathrow, arriving at 12:30. Took the express to Paddington and tube to Kings Cross. Managed to board the 2:00 GNER train to Edinburgh. My opinion, I really don't want to fly out so soon after arrival. To me the train is far more relaxing than the stress of rushing around to catch a flight. Slso, had I missed the 2:00 I would have just have to take the 3:00 train.

If you're only planning on getting in the check in line for an easyJet flight 45 minutes before the flight, wow, you've got some guts (especially as a connecting flight; a 16 minute hangup anywhere and you are SOL, have to get a new ticket). As Robespierre said, it's not difficult to get to King's Cross from Gatwick (nor from Heathrow, just take the Jubilee line all the way from Heathrow to King's Cross). If you can get an easyJet from the airport you're arriving at, it could make sense (but leave plenty of time), if not, I still think the train is the better option. Don't forget that for the train, there is no check-in time, show up 2 minutes before and you're fine.

I was wrong on easyJet only flying from Luton to Edinburgh, though; they definitely do fly from Stansted &amp; Gatwick, too (I recently did the Luton one, and that's their hub, forgot to check others). But don't forget also that midday flights are often (not always) more expensive than early morning ones (which I doubt you'll be in time for) or late evening ones (which destroy any time advantage to flying). Make sure you check the options.

one doesn't have to slog across 3 counties to fly to Edinburgh. There are low (and low-ish) cost flights from LHR and LGW. And not just on easyJet. BMI is great.

Hi V,

Why in USD? You will have to use GBP, which is about $1.75.

((I))

Fodors just changed my screen name, I posted this question (vstanton) I want to thank all for their responses and suggestions and for the url's for Gatewick and Heathrow. First, the reason we are taking the train is that we enjoy the ride, we've done it twice before and find it relaxing after an all night flight. We always got a rail pass so I did not know the fares if purchasing the day of the train ride. Why in USD? because my GBP are bought with my USD and this lets me know how much I need to have. Why Gateick and Heathrow? there are 5 of us traveling and three are flying into Heathrow and two into Gatwick. The five of us will be staying in Aberfeldy for a week then three are going back to the States and two of us (my daughter and myself) will be going on to North Umberland for a week and then to London for a week. Again thanks to all, I appreciate the responses and discussion

Just took a quick flight last month from LGW to EDI. $116 for American Airlines codeshare flight on BA. Very easy--very cost effective. Easy checkin at Gatwick and short security lines.