Where to catch bus at Glasgow Airport
 

Thanks to all who responded to my last post.

We will arrive to Glasgow airport from U.S. (In July) and will be taking ScotRail to Inverness from the Queen Street Station. Here are my questions:

1) Is the signage good for finding the bus pickup area?
2) Will I buy my bus ticket somewhere before getting on the bus? If so, where?
3) where does our luggage go? We will be traveling with one large suitcase and two smaller ones.
4) Once I arrive at Queen Street station, how far will I have to go to catch the train to Inverness?

Thank you.

As I recall, you walk outside and the bus stop is right there.

...and the bus will be an airport type with luggage racks as you enter. Doesn't your train leave right from the Queen St. station that the bus takes you to?

Queen Street Station is very manageable. If you go to the national rail website, it will show you the platform number your train departs from. Occasionally this might change at the last minute but no problem as all platforms will be right in front of you. The bus from the airport drops you off in front of the station. I'm fairly certain you can purchase your ticket on the bus.

How many people? Why one large suitcase, and how large? If there are two of you traveling by train it will be easier to take two smallish cases (preferably 22 inch, 24 inch max) plus two small carry-ons.

Thanks you to all who responded.

It sounds like we won't have any difficulty getting from the airport to the bus to Queen Street. FYI there are two of us traveling. We are staying for two weeks and thought we would put most of our things in one suitcase (28 inches or 71 cm), then we will both have one carry-on (22 or 24 inches).

For two weeks a 28 inch case is way overkill. A 22 inch each plus a day bag is plenty. I travel for months with that, never mind two weeks. Pack as if you were going for five or six days and do laundry. When you don't have to cart the big bag up and down stairs and on and off trains you'll be happy you did.

Also, with two of you, if you are checking bags, cross-pack. Then if one bag goes astray you'll both have some clothes to wear.

28 inches is ENORMOUS and will weigh a ton. A 28 incher plus two carryons is a huge amount of luggage. And 24 inchers are not carryons - must be checked. For 2 weeks you should easily get by w/ (just) two 22 inchers or 24 inchers max.

Unless you are moving to the UK . . . .

If you are really going to bring a 28 inch case, I would advise using a taxi. The bus (#500) is about 5 pounds per person, (10 pounds for the two of you)and a taxi is about 20 pounds,,,so 10 pounds more. But that money might be worth it, considering the size of your large bag. Might be hard to handle on the bus racks. I usually am solo and take the bus, but as advised above, never travel with more than a 21 inch carry on, regardless of the length of stay. Oh, and as far as finding the bus, walk out the front door follow the crowd, It is immediately out of the door. The taxis nearby, also.

Hi Carolyn830,
I followed the above advice from other posters about carry on luggage when we took a month long trip to Italy and France about 3 years ago. It was the BEST advice I have ever received. No more hauling heavy bags on subways and trains, over cobble stones and up stairs. I packed for very hot weather in Rome and was able to add layers when we were in Normandy which was unseasonably cold and stormy. We didn't actually use everything we packed. We were away for 4 weeks which meant I did laundry three times and never took more than an hour to do it. (In Rome the laundry place washed and dried it for me while I drank proseco!!!) Besides, we met and talked to interesting people in the laundromat. Have a great trip.

I don't even use laundromats. I don't take anything that won't drip dry successfully, and I wash a few things in the bathroom sink (shampoo works great) every couple of nights.

Sipping Proseco while my laundry is being dried and folded vs. schlepping 100lbs of 'stuff' in three suitcases . . . I <i>know</i> which one I'd prefer ;)

Though in Scotland I'd probably have a nice Scottish ale or single malt . . . or a cup of tea/pastries.

I remember having a huge suitcase (no wheels) when I moved to Europe in the mid-60s. About 6 months later when I left my job, I took a flight that involved a change of airport and Air France lost the big bag forever, was left with the clothes I stood in and a basket of books. One of the best things that ever happened to me.

I don't travel as lightly as some people, but I suggest a compromise (I agree your original plans are just way too much). Take one 24-25 inch rollerbag you check (get a lightweight model, it can cut down 4-5 lbs in weight) and then a smaller tote bag as a carryon (smaller than 22", a softsided thing, maybe 14x10x8 or something like that. That's what I do and I manage okay. I also have a shoulderbag purse, but it's not a super huge thing that is as big as a totebag.

Thank you all! We will be ditching the HUGE piece of luggage and go with your suggestions.

Good for you! I'm sure you'll be much happier.

I just bought a new 22 in from Eagle Creek (actually from ebags.com since they have a good returns program).

Thursdaysd, which one did you decide on?

http://www.ebags.com/product/eagle-c...uctid=10262612

I'll have to see it before I decide whether to keep it, though.

It's very like my first Eagle Creek which I used for years, still have it, but wanted a smaller one to force myself to take less, as it was heavy full. But really, as you well know, any of theirs are good.

I'd rather have a 21 inch, but they don't seem to have one, and RS only offers a 20 inch, which I think is too small to take my hiking stick. Plus the last one from RS died.