We plan to take a train from London to Edinburgh when we visit in Sept. Currently checking out central London hotels and have found one near Victoria station. Would that be a convenient departure point?

Trains to Edinburgh leave from King's Cross Station.

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

>>Trains to Edinburgh leave from King's Cross Station.<<

Daytime trains do. Sleeper trains leave from Euston.

>>Currently checking out central London hotels and have found one near Victoria station. Would that be a convenient departure point?<<

Convenient enough. You'd first have to take the Victoria tube line from Victoria to Kings Cross (assuming you aren't taking a sleeper)

Janisj, I think I need a hotline to you! You are so helpful. I appreciate it.

Just so you know, King's Cross and Euston Stations are walking distance from each other. So you might consider looking for a place in the area to avoid schlepping your bags onto and off the tube. That's if you aren't sure which station you'll need. If you do know, find a place nearby the one you'll need. There are budget places in that part of town too.

Thanks MmePerdu

Just another POV. I almost always pick accommodation based on an area I actually want to stay, or a hotel that looks nice, not based on a particular train trip or one event. Most things you'll see/do in London won't necessarily be convenient to that one train station/area.

(An exception sometimes - a very early AM flight or <i>very</i> early train)

If you do find a hotel you like in your budget, don't worry too much about it being close to the station where you'll leave London. It is generally so easy to get around - so stay where you find a hotel you like. You'll be able to get to any station.

One concern need not exclude another. I stay on Gower St. or on Cartwright Gardens, both convenient to both stations and also areas I like to visit. I see what I want to see for several days then walk to one station or another. Also convenient to St. Pancras, of course, if Paris is my next destination.

>>One concern need not exclude another<<

Of course not. IF you like a hotel near one station or another. . . great. What I apparently didn't explain very well was it is <i>almost always</i> best to pick a place to stay in an area you want to stay - not near some station simply because one is taking a train trip somewhere. But w/ all the parsing going on on various threads . . .

Aussiefolk - all about public transport within London:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/15101.aspx

Another tip, book London to Edinburgh direct with East Coast at www.eastcoast.co.uk

They give an extra 10% off their own Advance fares. Booking opens 12 weeks ahead, you can get London-Edinburgh tickets from around £18 if you book early, or from £49 in 1st class which on weekdays includes light meals and wine served at your seat.

Make sure you sit on the right hand side of the train going north (if necessary ignoring your reserved seats if on the wrong side!) for great views of the coast in Northumberland north of Newcastle and the best views as the train curves onto the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick.

Thanks Man_in_seat_61. A great tip on where to sit. How long does the journey take? Is there only one route we can take?