Leslie_McMullin

I will be in the UK in late August and am planning to take a train from London to York and then a few days later, another train from York to Edinburgh. Do you recommend that I purchase the train tickets in advance, or just get them at the time I intend to travel? In other words, what is the best way to book train travel to and from these locations? Thanks in advance for your help.

ron

You'll save a lot of money if you buy in advance. Advance tickets have restrictions, of course. The cheap tickets become available about 12 weeks in advance. Currently, they are available up to Sep 28, http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/

So, you should be looking now - the cheapest or the most convenient times may have already gone.

flanneruk

Advance purchase fares are specific to the time you book the journey for.

If you don't want to commit significantly in advance, it's possible, in principle, to buy an advance ticket at any time up to more or less 1800 the night before (the precise cut off time can vary a bit between operators), as long as there's availability.

At the very peakest of times (like New Year), all advance tickets can sell out instantly. At less extreme times, they just get a bit pricier as time goes on, but are usually still available till a week or so before departure. Ordinarily (like right now) you can still get cheap tickets the day before on your routes, though for a limited number of departures.

Advance rate tickets into Edinburgh during the Festival (ie: when you're planning to travel) will book up quite, but not terrifyingly, in advance. Right now there are lots available at offpeak times.

alanRow

<i>Advance rate tickets into Edinburgh during the Festival (ie: when you're planning to travel) </i>

Which begs the question of has OP somewhere to stay in Edinburgh. Whilst train fares may not be fully booked many hotels will be.

Leslie_McMullin

Thanks for the advice. Based on an earlier question I asked, I booked my hotel first just to make sure I could get one. It has taken a lot of time, but I think I am almost set (hotels and train tickets.) The last thing I need to figure out is which train station in Edinburgh to buy the ticket to. It looks like there are 3 or 4 and I've got to figure out which one is closest to my hotel. I've emailed the hotel, so hopefully will hear back from them soon. Thanks again for all your help on both threads.

alanRow

<i>It looks like there are 3 or 4</i>

Actually there are a couple of dozen stations in Edinburgh however the the main station in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Waverley which is where all the trains go to. It's possible your hotel is nearer Haymarket but that will generally require a change of train at Waverley.

PatrickLondon

Go for Waverley and use local buses or taxis if your hotel is at any distance from it: you could use Google maps to find out, using the hotel's postcode (it will look something like EH1 1AA).
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/138...rt_information

janisj

Which hotel? We can probably give you the info before they reply to your e-mail. As mentioned, your train from York will arrive at Waverly (and being the most central station, hopefully your hotel is convenient to it . . .