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Northumberland UK fall trip

We're thinking of traveling to Scotland and Northumberland in September. We'd land in Glagow, take the train to Edinburgh, spend a few days there, then take the train to Durham to see the castle and cathedral. All of that should be easy.

We'd then like to see Alnwick castle and gardens. We'd take the train to Alnmouth, take a taxi to a hotel, and walk to the castle and gardens.

The next day we'd see the Cragside NT property and perhaps Rothbury. We'd travel by taxi there and afterwards back to Alnwick, pick up our luggage from the hotel, taxi back to the train in Alnmouth and head north for more time in Scotland.

The main question is whether there are adequate taxi services in the area to make this work efficiently. If so, please recommend some companies or, if applicable, apps. We do not want to drive or take a bus. Cost is not a major issue.

Posted by
2600 posts

This is a long established company in the area: http://www.phoenixtaxis.net/alnwick-taxis#

Another company in Alnmouth: http://knightstaxi.com/

You could contact the Alnwick TI for further reccomendations: https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/tourist-information-centre/alnwick-tourist-information-centre-alnwick

As long as you pre-book taxis for your journeys (taxis meet trains so you should be OK when you arrive at Alnmouth) you will be able to get around.

Posted by
401 posts

Are you staying in Glasgow or going strIght to Edinburgh? There is no train station at the airport so this section should be done by bus but it's only about 30 mins

Posted by
118 posts

@ramblin' on Would you know how far in advance taxis should be booked? Train times are predictable, but if we're visiting Cragside or Rothbury we won't know how long we'll stay until we're close to leaving.

I see that Phoenix has an app, but with bad reviews.

@ryanandgill We plan to land in Glasgow, then head straight to Edinburgh. Taxis must be plentiful at Glasgow airport and Glasgow Central Station isn't that far. On the other hand, there's a bus every 10 minutes, if I'm reading the schedule correctly. On the third hand, a taxi probably isn't much more than bus fare for two and should be easier.

Posted by
2600 posts

I would speak to the taxi driver on the way to Cragside and see what s/he suggests. Plus I'd have a couple of other numbers to call as a back up. Apps aren't everything - a phone call will be straightforward. Mind you, you might have trouble understanding the local accent :)

Posted by
401 posts

OP I haven't done your journey, I've sort of done it in reverse - I've flown into Edinburgh and taken the bus to Glasgow city centre and also the bus from the city centre to the airport in Glasgow. Both were very straight forward and well equipped with large luggage storage. I think it was about £12 and I could use my contactless credit card so very convenient. My default is usually always train over bus, but in this scenario I'd opt for the bus.

Posted by
401 posts

Do you mean taxi into Glasgow in order to get the train or taxi to Edinburgh. Just seems more simple to do a bus direct into Edinburgh from the airport assuming it will stop in the vicinity of your hotel. Your call though!