Scotland train/bus

Posted by jules m (Twin Cities of MN) on 07/08/26 02:11 AM

I've figured out, I guess I'll call it a workaround, a way to use the Scotrail website. I was looking at purchasing my train tickets for October and it appears they are not available, though I'd guess they'll be available soon. I will be purchasing for my mom and I, we are both seniors, and we will use a two together card. I'd like to confirm, essentially, that I know what I'm doing, and I do have a couple questions. In general, I'd prefer to not buy any tickets in advance unless it saves money or if there is a risk the train could sell out. My journeys are as follows:

Travel to Fort William from Edinburgh. Per Stuart, the connection time in Glasgow may be too tight for us and because there is the only one train to Fort William, I plan to buy separate tickets to take an earlier train from Edinburgh so, one set for Edinburgh to Glasgow, Queen Street, and one set for Glasgow Queen Street to Fort William.
Travel to Mallaig from Fort William. We will take the 12:22 train, on Saturday, October 10. I think I was told that I should buy these in advance to ensure we have a seat. We do not need to take the historic train. Is one side of the train better than the other?
Travel from Mallaig to Fort William, also, Saturday October 10. I'd like to take a bus from Mallaig to Glenfinnan and another bus from Glenfinnan to Fort William. Questions, where do I get bus info? Should I spend some time in Mallaig or take the soonest bus to Glenfinnan? We are interested in the visitor center in Glenfinnan and any views. Can I buy bus tickets day of so we can see how the day goes?
Travel Oban to Edinburgh. I want to try to take the 8:56 but may not be doable with mom. If I'm understanding correctly, I can buy tickets for 12:11 train and travel anytime I want including the 8:56 train, correct? What is unclear to me is if I have to do something to get the split ticket? I think it happens automatically? It looks like the 8:56 and the 12:11 train have different routes? Or is it just different stops?
Travel Edinburgh to Stirling. Do I need to purchase the train tickets in advance?

I think my tickets will start to become available on 7/10, which, of course, is when I will be starting a two week road trip, probably much of it with less than optimal cell service. If I do not buy tickets until 7/24 or so am I risking increased prices?

Thanks for any help on this. Also, is there something I should know, or I am missing?

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

07/08/26 05:59 AM

12017 posts

Q2- It's the 1218- As the old saying has it from the colonial shipping route to India travel POSH- Port (Left) side out, Starboard (Right) side back.

To India this was all about which side of the ship the sun was on.

But just as the train leaves Banavie in one direction or the other try to be on the other side as you clatter over the almost unique swing bridge to look up the canal towards Neptunes Staircase (the famous lock flight) which ultimately goes to Inverness. Banavie is the first station, 6 minutes out of Fort William.

Q3- Bus info from Shiel Buses. However this is a Saturday so there is one bus in each direction (#534). Therefore get off the train at Glenfinnan at 1249, take the bus at 1355, arrives Mallaig at 1500, train back at 1605.- https://www.shielbuses.co.uk/timetables-and-fares. Pay your £2 fare to the driver.
Don't mess about with FW- Glenfinnan/Mallaig to Fort William tickets, cheapest and utterly legal is to buy FW- Mallaig return.

If it's a nice day, you might like to get Shiels Buses 46/47 town bus earlier in the morning, get off at the B8004 junction in Banavie, stroll up to Neptunes staircase, then board the train at Banavie- again, totally legal and above board.

Q4- The 0856/1211- Yes and no, you can use either train. They travel on the same route, but the Glasgow to Edinburgh train has different stopping patterns.

However the split it is giving me for both trains is at Croy- Oban to Croy Anytime Day Single £22.20, Croy to Edinburgh ADS £10.25-. Total of £32.45
Trains are Oban 0856 GQS 1156/1215 Waverley 1304, or Oban 1211 GQS 1534/1545 Waverley 1636.

If you want then reserve a seat on the other train to the one you have booked on the Trans Pennine Express website.

If you miss the connection at GQS the Croy stoppers are the xx15 and xx45. The peak hour xx00 and xx30 omit Croy- https://www.scotrail.co.uk/media/86908/download?inline

However given that I might be leaving Glasgow at the start of the evening peak I would travel 1st class from Glasgow to Edinburgh- that split is Oban to GQS ADS £22.20, GQS to Edinburgh Off Peak Single 1st Class £14.35- so an extra £4.10 for a bit more space and less crowded.

That split also allows you to use all trains- the xx45, xx00, xx15 and xx30

To be honest, the Croy split is saving you 90p, even in standard you might as well split across Glasgow, not Croy- then you can use ALL trains, also if the Falkirk High route is having problems you can pivot to the Bathgate route from QS Low Level (no 1st class on that route).

Q5- No, buy on the day.

No, no need to buy on 10 July, prices in October are not going to rise. If it was me I wouldn't even be thinking of buying tickets until mid September, and I know I am not going to be paying any more, even if these were dynamic Advance) fares, which they aren't.