My family is traveling to England & Scotland this summer and wondering the best train route between Bath and Edinburgh on a Saturday. We’ll have a BritRail pass.
Bath Spa > Bristol > Birmingham > Edinburgh
OR
Bath Spa > London > Edinburgh
Anyone have advice or experience?
since price is not a consideration, and presumably neither is time, what does best mean to you?
Do you intend to do it all in one day or will you stop off on the way?
Good question! We will do the trip in one day - leaving mid morning and arriving in the evening.
Best to me is prettiest views out the window. Most likely to make for a fun travel day.
On a Saturday my choice would depend on where there are any rail engineering works.
But all other things being equal (no work anywhere) there is a 3rd route- the 1031 Bath to Oxford arrive 1127, the 1210 Oxford to York (where it terminates, it started from Reading so should be fairly quiet at Oxford) arrive 1516 then any train to Edinburgh.
Although Bristol to Edinburgh is an hour faster changing at Birmingham to Avanti up the west coast to Edinburgh there is an hourly Bristol to Edinburgh through train.
Via London is always the fastest route- not sure that makes it the best due to having to cross London and the comfort factor of the new LNER trains which I don't find to be impressive in standard class.
Personally I would take the train on the hour to Birmingham which starts at Bristol (that way I know I can get my seat) then change at Birmingham or Stafford to Avanti up the west coast (possibly having to do a same platform further change at Carlisle).
How much baggage will you have? The first route via Bristol etc will involve changing platforms. The second involves getting from Paddington Station to Kings Cross either by the Underground (subway) or by taxi.
Unless you’re only going to have carry on bags, I’d go for the first option.
This is so helpful! Thank you all!
We will each have a carry-on bag and a backpack.
On the Saturday I looked at in April the route changing at Bristol and Birmingham was quicker than any going through London, as fast as 6 hours 21 minutes in one case. I’d also say that that route is also the most scenically interesting.
Thank you!
