Train or plane?
 

I will be travelling one way Dec 29th from Edinburgh to London and can't decide between the two modes of transport.

I was hoping that train tickets would soon be going on sale for 24 pounds, but it looks unlikely, is it because of the demand during the holidays? Considering all costs: bus, heathrow express, and time: check-in, baggage claim, heathrow express, there still isn't that much of a difference. OK, I might save a bit of time by flying.

However, I have never taken a train, so that would be a new experience for me. I would like to hear reactions from people who have travelled the Edinburgh-London route. How scenic is it? Is the windowgazing worthy of this nearly 5 hour trip? This is what it all comes down to for me, mostly. My hotel is also close to Paddington, which is why I'm contemplating flying into Heathrow.

Any comments, suggestions, advice, should I toss a coin? Thanks

The difference between Paddington to Kings Cross and Paddington to Heathrow doesn't strike me as a deal-breaker, though Kings Cross will be in a bit of an uproar what with building works for the new international railway station.

Scenery on the way north by train: for the first couple of hours, nothing that special - farmland, some small hills and villages, certainly nothing dramatic, but it may be different from what you're used to. You will see the many bridges in Newcastle, and a heart-stopper of a view of Durham Castle and Cathedral. Between there and Edinburgh the countryside gets a little bit wilder, and you get to see a bit of the sea. When you come out of Waverly station, you walk straight on to Princes St with the Castle and the Scott Memorial glowering over you.

Timewise, don't forget you have to allow for check-in time at Heathrow: but you would still save some time.

My family and I took the train from Southampton to Edinburgh several summers ago, and the route took us in a more westerly direction, necessitating a stop in Glasgow. From there, the train went backwards for about twenty-five minutes, until it caught up with the eastward rails, and then we went forward again, chugging along toward Edinburgh! You might want to take a look at the actual route of the London-Edinburgh rail--the western route that we took went through the Lake District and became very pretty. I tend to like to see the scenery, and there was a fair amount of verdant farmland along the way. (You might also want to consider if viewing wintry scenes is your cup of tea.)

Finally, although the train we rode on was not in any way luxurious, there was some benefit to riding first-class, in that I seem to recall it ensured that we got a meal on board--especially helpful with children. You might want to find out about that point, as I'm not sure if there were actual meals available for people without a first-class ticket.

Have fun!

If the prices really do work out the same, and the train's hour or so extra door to door doesn't matter, it's surely a no-brainer.

The scenery from Edinburgh to Newcastle is fine, and the sights of the great cathedrals (Durham, York and Peterborough) south of there are stunning (if you're lucky enough to get a bit of snow, I rate the view of Durham cathedral from the train the finest in Britain). Though otherwise the scenery south of Newcastle is mostly just OK.

If you've never been on a train, it'd frankly be perverse to give this chance up. Just remember it really is essential to reserve a seat (it's usually one of the few times you can't actually get on without a seat reservation), and accept that punctuality - while not as awful as some threads claim - isn't quite up to Swiss standards

What was the argument for the plane?

Hmmm. Take the umpteenth boring airplane ride in cattle car class or try something new. I'd go with something new.

Pack yourself a nice picnic lunch with a bottle of wine. Don't forget the corkscrew.

I've only done the trip in a sleeper. Being dark I only saw my reflection in the train window. Next time I'll take a train in the daylight.

The first part of the journey hugs the north Lothian/Borders/Northumberland coastline and is very scenic. At that time of year you will hopefully see some quite stormy seas crashing over the rugged coastline. But the rest of the journey from the top side of Newcastle there will not be much to see at all.

I was also surprised at the cost - I checked out York to London for a short break in the Christmas holidays. Demand is high during this time so they possibly don't do any advanced savings tickets.

I don't think you'll save that much time flying and I think it boils down to whats available and whether cost figures over time. But I'd choose the train, every time, just because its a more leisurely relaxed way of travelling.

Other posters are right, since the train is city centre to city centre there's not much time difference between that & flying - by the time you've spent half an hour getting to Edinburgh airport, arriving an hour early to check in, waiting for luggage at Heathrow & then the time to get from Heathrow to London.

Having said that, I've never managed to pay less than c.£70 for the train - certainly not as little as £24. Hint - it can sometimes be cheaper to book a return than a single. The last time I needed a ticket one way it was something like £84 for a second class single - but £81 for a first class return ! Having said that, I've just had an experimental go on www.thetrainline.com, using departure times 0900-1030 : cheapest single is £86.10, cheapest return (using a mythical return date of 12 Jan) is £87.10. My assumption is that any cheaper tickets have already been snapped up due to it being a holiday period.

In addition to the scenery other posters have mentioned, you also pass quite close to the Angel of the North (massive Antony Gormley sculpture at Gateshead, south of Newcastle - I love it).

Well, price just went up for the train to 86 pounds, airfare is now the cheaper option.

If your train does not stop often, you should know that Berwick upon Tweed with its harbour appears on your left 46 minutes after you leave Edinburgh, and Durham appears above you 12 minutes after you leave Newcastle. If you can avoid annoying fellow passengers then you should stand ready as the train pulls into York, step onto the platform, admire the engineering of the station roof, and step back on board.

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Maxx -

Now add the cost of getting from the city center to airport and the reverse at the destination. I think the train wins handily.

Ben -

The passengers in First Class tend to be somewhat less annoying. You can avoid the annoying ones by riding there.

(I know what you meant. Just a joke.) ;)

Robespierre-actually getting to Edinburgh airport, flight, and heathrow express totals up to around 60-65 pounds. I'm estimating because I would pay the flight in Canadian dollars. So the train does not win.

You didn't tell us you were Canadian.

People from soft-currency countries really shouldn't think of taking the Heathrow Express. Piccadilly Line tube to Hammersmith, cross-platform change onto the District Line. It'll add about 30 mins, but save you £10 each way.

Which I understand these days is roughly equal to your national average weekly wage.

Super classy response maxx. Do you kiss your momma with that mouth?

Keep going to the UK. Maybe someday you'll figure out how to appreciate the dry British wit.

Until then the King suggests you wash your mouth out with soap.

maxx-r: I was going to give you a suggestion that would save you about £20 -- but instead take that potty mouth of yours and vacation in Calgary or somewhere . . . . . . .

janis - maxx isn't the only one reading the answers here so could you let me know how to save the extra £20 as I'll also be doing this route (in March). I'll be going from London to Edinburgh and then back to London a few days later. I've already decided the train is way easier and looks like the cost (at least for round trip) is the same or less than flying. But I can't figure out how to get the cheapest train rates, I know it's too early to actually buy the tickets. Any suggestions.

Also, those were very interesting comments on when to look out to see Durham Castle, etc. Can you tell me how to plan for seeing them when doing the trip from south to north? Thanks

Treating people like they are a bunch of "colonists" who are somehow "second class" with use of terms such as "soft currency" are obviously the last gasps from a dead "empire."

Sorry, Isabel -- my bargain suggestion was for flying, afraid I don't know any other secrets to save more on the train.

I agree, taking the train would be my choice on this route too -- unless I was just tryiong to get to LHR or LGW to fly somewhere else.

Flanneruk started it! Why post such comments here, can't he keep them to himself?

TopMan, thank you. I agree with the "dead empire" remark.

Janis, I've been to Calgary, it's a lovely city. Close to Banff too, even lovelier.

Elvis, the king is dead, let him rest in peace. Dry british wit is very last century, and I don't much care for it. I think this will be my last trip to the UK, next time I'll stick to Canada or the good ol US of A.

To everyone else who posted before this, a very big thank you. We booked train tickets.

So, how much did you end up spending or splurging, if you don't mind?