We are planning to spend 2 nights in York and then go to Edinburgh for 2 nights. Would you recommend driving or taking the train? Which would be more scenic? We are a family of 4 travelling with another family of 4. The children will be ages 5-9. Thanks!

Well - The rail journey is fairly scenic, but driving would let you get to more beauty spots.

There is enough to see between the two places to fill a week. But if you want to be in Edinburgh right after York the train is your best bet. It only takes 2+ hours city center to city center. 8 rail fares will add up, but there are family tickets that will save money.

By car (actually cars since you would have to rent 2) you could see one of the following: the Yorkshire Dales, Durham, Hadrians Wall, Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, or part of the Scottish Borders. It would be a great trip but you would not have time to see more than one or at most 2 of these sites.

You do not need (or want) a car in either York or Edinburgh so you would only have to rent the cars for one day.

We drove from York to Edinburgh and made a complete day of it. We went to Hadrians Wall, stopped in Durham for a quick visit to the cathedral and then drove through the Queen's forests to Scotland.

Along the way we stopped at the border between England and Scotland and took a picture sitting by this very large rock that has Scotland written on it. Great view from there and on the final leg to Edinburgh we visited Jedburgh Abbey...long but nice day!

US

Forgot to mention we will be visiting in late November - would this make a difference?

Yes - that will make a big difference. It will get dark early - by about 5PM that far north. So you sightseeing time will be very limited. In June when it is light until 11PM that drive would be fine - but with the likelyhood of bad weather and the short days - take the train.