Transportation Problem from London to Edinburgh
 

We arrive on 9/16 to London at 6:30 a.m. and there are two flights: one at 11:00 and one at 1:00 ranging from $120 a person for the later one to $225 a person for the earlier one. Do we wait around the airport for hours, try to rent a car, or bother with the whole train situation?

i would fly. which flight time is dependent on how much the $105 difference means to you vs the extra time. only you can answer that.

Well, I guess the larger issue is also waiting around the airport for 6 hours when we could be on a train relaxing?

You don't rent a car - it's a SEVEN hour drive and given that you've just done a long haul flight the odds are that you - or other people - won't make it in one piece

For $120 in total you could get the Tube or HEX/taxi to Kings Cross & take the train

As alanRow says, the drive is a bear and takes forever. The train ride is just over 4 hours, and the stretch between York and Edinburgh is supposed to be lovely views. We are doing this ride in reverse in a few weeks.

Your choice is really waiting around for a flight or the train. Getting the train isn't a problem. If your flight is on time, there's no reason why a train shouldn't get you to central Edinburgh for 1pm, with the benefit of some scenic views en route.

However the best fares need to be snapped up some time in advance of travel, and flexibility over timing costs more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk for times and fares.

A quick check at www.gner.co.uk shows that the trains that Saturday, September 16, all take over six hours. because you have to change trains in Newcastle. So, the train leaving Kings Cross at 9am arrives in Edinburgh at 3:15pm and the trains leaving KC at 10am arrives at 4:15pm.

What airline are you looking at? Have you checked www.flybmi.com? They are showing flights at 8:40am for 91GBP and at 11:10 for 59GBP.

anna74, those BMI prices don't include taxes and fees.

Yes, I was going to ask which airline. That seems a very long gap without flights, so I just checked.

BA has flights at 0910 at £116 and 1115 at £87.10.

BMI has flights at 0840 for £114.10 and 1110 at £82.10.

All including taxes, charges etc.

I assume you do want single fares do you ?

The problem is that you want to travel during the business 'rush hours' and you have left it quite late to book.

I was assuming you're arriving at Heathrow ?

If it was me, I'd spend the cash and grab that 8:40 a.m. flight on BMI. Especially if it is a vacation.

It all depends on <b>your</b> priorities: time or money?