Anyone have good, bad, or indifferent experiences with these three modes of PT, or have another suggestion other than driving? Flix bus is less than half the cost of Citylink, but has limited direct routes. The train would be my first option, but I've heard there are often train delays in Scotland. Thanks for any advice! My daughter is studying abroad at University of Glasgow and my mom and I are hitting as many sites as we can in Scotland and Ireland over two weeks.
Scotrail have no better or worse on time record than any other UK operator that I have heard of, or from personal experience. In fact I would say they have a better on time record than the UK mean. Their problems currently are a lack of train crew so they are running a reduced timetable "to give greater passenger certainty" (and struggling to deliver even that, I am sorry to say) , also 4 different trade unions have successfully balloted for industrial action- whether that comes to pass remains to be seen.
The threat is hanging over Scotrail, 2 weeks notice legally has to be given of any action.
Citylink to Inverness is a code share with Megabus. The Megabus website offers dramatically lower fares for exactly the same journey. On such code share routes never book with Citylink.
Not all Citylink routes are code share- such as the ones to Fort William, Oban and Skye. Their Explorer Passes are very good value for money.
I haven't used Flixbus in Scotland but the routes are contracted to McGills- a company with a very high reputation, and using almost brand new vehicles. On their limited schedule I have heard nothing but very positive reports. The essential difference is that Flixbus use single deck vehicles, Megabus/Citylink mainly use double deckers so great for the views.
Thank you so much for the codeshare/Megabus info!