Leslie_McMullin

I am planning a 2 week trip to the UK and Ireland for mid to late August, traveling by train (arriving Aug. 14 to miss Olympic mad house). What do you think of this itinerary:

Arrive in Gatwick early morning on 14th and take train to York. Tour York on the 15th.

Take early train to Edinburgh on 16th. Tour there on 16 and 17th.

Fly to Dublin on 18th. Tour the rest of that day and on 19th.

Fly to Cardiff on 20th. Tour Cardiff that day.

Train on 21st to either Bath or Oxford (recommendation on which to choose if I can only do one??) Tour there that day

Train to Salisbury on 22nd. Tour around that day, see Stonehenge on 23rd and take train to Windsor afternoon of the 23rd.

Tour Windsor Castle on 24th and then take train to London. Tour London on 25th, 26th and 27th.

Doable?

nytraveler

Well - you have 7 different hotels in only 14 days - and I suspect that you haven't looked into the length of the train journeys or flights you propose. I think what you may have here is a quite extensive tour of the train stations of the UK.

IMHO way too many places in too few days.

daveesl

Anything is "doable". The question is...will you enjoy it? Maybe, maybe not. For some people, blasting from one place to another is perfect. For others, they wish to explore, to learn something about where they are going.

We get this type of question a lot on Fodors and have for many years, probably always will. People have limited amounts of time and think that by cramming together a ton of locations they are making the most of their vacation. Sadly, in reality, they end up tired, cranky, with a few photos and some blurred memories. And it cost them a heck of a lot more than it should have.

I've done driving trips through the UK and Ireland and did a lot of stuff in a fairly short amount of time, but then I knew I was going back and did, over and over and over. But even at that, I would focus on maybe 3 areas and see what was in each area, not just go from train/air station to the next.

Don't know which country you are from, but say the U.S...would you do a 2 week trip where you arrive in NYC after an all night flight, then immediately go to DC. Spend a day then fly to Chicago. Spend a day then go to St. Louis the next day for a day. From there you go to New Orleans, visit Mississippi and end up the next day in Orlando. Spend 3 days in Disney. See?

dave

Leslie_McMullin

Good suggestions. I think I'll pick 3 or 4 "bases" and stay in each for a few days. London, Edinburgh, Dublin and maybe one other. Even that may be hectic, but more manageable than what I have. I have checked into flight times, but not trains. I'll follow up on that. Thanks.

janisj

"<i>I think I'll pick 3 or 4 "bases" and stay in each for a few days. London, Edinburgh, Dublin and maybe one other. </i>"

Good idea --except I'd personally stick to England/Scotland.

I'd do something like train from LGW York - 2 nights in York

Train to Edinburgh -3 nights in Edinburgh. But if you wanted to take a day trip(s) to St Andrews or Stirling or the Highlands or somewhere - then add 1 or 2 more nights to Edinburgh.

Train to London for the rest of your time. Take day trips(s) to Windsor and/or Oxford and/or Bath

alanRow

I hope OP has booked accommodation already in Edinburgh. It's somewhat busy in August due to the Festivals.

If they haven't then Edinburgh is likely to be off the list of places to visit unless they want to do a day trip from York

janisj

Oh Gawd (!) . . . I didn't even catch the August bit . . .

Yes, Edinburgh will be really difficult.