Edinburgh/Jacobite 2-Day Tour/London for Single Mom with 13 and 11 Year Old Daughters

I would stop for 1 night in York when going south back to London.http://www.visityork.org

Rather than a rail pass, consider buying in advance (about 10 weeks) the tickets the the rail journeys. www.nationalrail.co.uk is the place to look for the fares - check them now for 10 weeks forward v now. You will probably travel on this company so book via their website (or any other rail company that offers better fares on the route).https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com

I'd change Day 5 from Edinburgh to either York, or add it to London.

However, given that you will use half a day at the HP Studio's, I'd add it to London. You'll also use half a day getting the train down from Scotland.

£100 ($150) doesn't get you much in London, Travelodge might be your best bet as they do family rooms for three, depending on location, of which there are many, even those can run up to $200/night.

Kensington is a great area, not cheap. The West Central area of London is very safe, as long as you use common sense. Stick to the popular area's and you'll be fine.

WE LOVE Chelsea/South Kensington. Lots of families, safe, lots od restaurants and pubs, convenient tube station. Highly recommend it.

Well you're on the England forum, so of course, they say to take a day from Edinburgh! If you think you've seen all of Edinburgh in one day, I would suggest a day trip to Stirling, or to the Borders. But I think in truth, you might like to have the day in Edinburgh. Your first day (well day two) will still be a bit jet lagged so after the tour it might be good to explore a bit more leisurely. Are you and active family? If it's a a good day, you could walk up Arthur's Seat. If you're less active, try Calton Hill. :) Or another nice walk is Leith Water. The tour of the Yacht Britannia is very interesting and your daughters might enjoy it. I highly recommend going up to the Castle early in your visit to Edinburgh.

If it is pouring rain, go to the Museum of Scotland. If either of your girls are budding scientists they might enjoy The Dynamic Earth. I found it fascinating to see some of the topics that are discussed in US museums such as Chicago's Field Museum put in a Scottish perspective. There are tons of kids of all ages--mostly Scottish ones--at the museum. Also, BTW they might like the story of Greyfriars Bobby. It is not far from the Museum of Scotland.

Pam

It's not about an English forum stealing days from Scotland... my honest feeling was that 5 nights in Edinburgh was a lot. I am assuming the Jacobite Tour is based out of, and returning to Edinburgh, it may not be of course. I've been to Edinburgh more than once, and it is lovely.

Just pulling your chain a bit Mike. :) I would agree that 5 nights is a lot in Edinburgh, but they really only have two days in Edinburgh. It depends on their arrival time and level of jet lag on the first day.

Pamela, you're right, hard to decide definitively without times of arrival, more detail on the Tour, etc.

Let's agree on an open verdict for now.

I always second guess my advice if it contradicts either you or emma :o)

A bit of a compromise- leave for York in late afternoon of day 5. It's about a 2 to 2 1/2 hour train trip. Spend the night in York. Sightsee a bit morning and early afternoon of day 6, then late train to London. We liked using the Britrail passes because of the flexibility they gave us for day trips (unfortunately, that was too many years ago)- we could go/not go based on weather. But for what you are doing, advance purchase point-to-point tickets will probably be a better bargain.

For London accommodations, check out university lodging. Many offer spare dorm rooms and even apartments to tourists. London School of Economics is one. They even have a separate tourist apartment building that students run as part of their studies. Check out their two websites (below). Just be aware that sometimes there are problems between the websites and your browser- it may show no availability, when in fact, there are plenty of spaces open. E mail or call them to check. You get small, decent places to stay, and (if dorms), access to student facilities like the laundry room, lounge (TV and game room) and kitchenettes. Sometimes there is a breakfast available.

You'll want either an Oyster (loaded with a 7 day travel pass and some pay-as-you-go cash) for each of you or paper travel cards sold by the National Rail (to take advantage of the 2-for-1 deals). If your kids are under 16, the Oyster might be best, if over then the paper cards and the 2-4-1 deals might be a savings. If you go for the paper travel cards, be sure to bring passport sized (but not quality) photos of each of you for the required, but free, ID card they will make for you. You can print out the head shots on your own computer at home.

Also, plan on getting meal deals- Boots the Chemist, Marks and Spencer's food courts, and many other places offer a lunch deal for about 5 GBP- it usually includes a sandwich or salad, crisps (chips), a drink and sometimes a cookie. If you get a an apartment or room with a fridge, you can buy sandwich fixings and fruit and drink at a grocer's and pack your own lunches (and fix simple breakfasts, too). Lots of restaurants offer pre-theatre menus with a fixed set of options for a good price if you can eat early (at least early for the Brits- say 5:30 to 6:00ish).

KC, I don't know if you've traveled internationally with your daughters before (assuming they are minors, since you state you're a single mom), but you should travel with a letter that gives you full legal custody of your girls while traveling.

Have fun planning your trip; be sure the girls are doing lots of research, too!

Hi all...I have been reading the feedback and want to thank everyone. Re-evaluating my budget and time, it looks like Scotland will have to wait for another trip. The good thing is we can devote a little more time to London and even go on a couple day trips outside the city. After considering the logistics of trying to wrap time in Edinburgh around our two-day guided tour it just seemed a bit pushed and I would like our first visit abroad togrther to be as relaxed and fun as possible. With that decision made I relized we could utilize their spring break in April (1 week) to hopefully lower our costs. And yes we are all OK with cold and rain. Any more feedback is greatly welcomed; I will look into the University lodging as well as the Oyster passes. Also...I received a pm from a member but cannot find the email at this moment so wanted to acknowledge and say thanks for offering feedback on a particular lodging option.