Greetings ,
On Saturday September 30th around 10:00 am I will be returning a rental car in Glasgow.
I’m looking to travel at 10:30-12:00from Glasgow to London by nonstop (no train Changes) rail.
Having difficulty understanding the scheduling.
Any insights wold be helpful.
Thank you
In essence you can't travel direct due to the rail strike.
There are no Avanti trains running.
You will have to take a Scotrail service from Glasgow Queen Street (fastest) or Central to Edinburgh Waverley, then an LNER bus to Newcastle then LNER train to London Kings Cross.
A few LNER trains are running through from Edinburgh diverted via Carlisle.
Or take a Scotrail Glasgow to Carlisle train via Kilmarnock and change into a diverted LNER service there- but no easy route
EG- Glasgow Central depart 1113, Carlisle arrive 1342, depart 1430 Newcastle arrive 1545 (change trains), depart 1600, London Kings Cross arrive 1853
EG- Glasgow Queen Street depart 1100 Edinburgh Waverley arrive 1144, depart 1215 Berwick on Tweed arrive 1350 (Rail replacement coach), depart 1415 (rr c oach), Newcastle arrive 1605, depart 1758 London KC arrive 2131.
or- depart Edinburgh 1252 (train via Carlisle) Newcastle arrive 1545, depart 1600 as above.
Having difficulty understanding the scheduling
Normally this would be very straightforward but it looks as if there are no direct trains that day due to strikes and engineering work. You would face a very long journey with a bus between Edinburgh and Newcastle. A train journey that would normally involve no changes and take less than five hours will instead involve two changes, including a bus ride, and take upwards of seven and a half hours.
Unless anyone else knows any better ideas - I would try to travel tomorrow or Monday. The weekend will be hell for doing this journey by rail, it seems.
Three other options-
Change car drop off point to Edinburgh Airport- tram or bus to Waverley, then 1252 train (as above) or 1330 coach (below) to London KC;
If the rental is through Enterprise change drop off point to Newcastle Central station (the office is open to 1500) then 1600 train to London KC
Lumo Trains have a direct Rail Replacement Coach Edinburgh to Newcastle at 1330, arrive 1640, and connecting train depart Newcastle 1648 London Kings Cross arrive 1948. This looks tight but is a scheduled connection. The train is booked out of Platform 1- just inside Newcastle station entrance.
Always, the Man in Seat 61 is a major resource
Drive down to London if you really need to travel on Saturday. That depends on being able to turn in your car in London of course. I can drive Glasgow to London in six and a half or seven hours. It's good roads all the way. Otherwise, take the train on Monday if you can.
You could always fly from Glasgow to London.. Easyjet has a flight to Luton for £195. All other flights start at £432.
Yes! You're correct. The OP could fly. Luton is nearly-London and I'm surprised there's still seats left. The routes to Gatwick and Stansted appear to have sold out. BA is just being BA with the 400-odd quid seats to Heathrow.
Thank you for your helpful and kind responses.
