I will be taking 3 rail trips: Sept 24-Manchester to Chester (ENGLAND), then October 2-Chester to Edinburgh and last October 6-Edinburgh back to Manchester. I'm considering a senior railcard but does it cover England and Scotland? Rail company has not gotten back to me..maybe better point-to-point tickets...
Best place for tea and scones in Edinburgh?? :-) Thank you
Posted by
2415 posts
The Railcard covers England, Wales & Scotland.
When you go from Chester to Edinburgh, you have to go a short distance to reach the mainline to Scotland at either Warrington or Crewe. You may find it cheaper to pay for the short bit as a separate ticket and then buy in Advance specific train for the longer bit on the mainline.
Alternatively, check these sites:>https://www.traintickets.com/?/
https://trainsplit.com
Posted by
London
81 posts
It covers both England and Scotland - it's a UK card, not a regional one.
For tea and scones look out for
Bon Papillon on Howe Street
Cafe at the National Gallery of Modern Art
Honeycomb at Merchiston Place - a little south of centre
Posted by
12 posts
If you are travelling with a companion, consider the Two Together pass in lieu of the Senior.
Posted by
OP
Phoenix, Arizona
5 posts
thank you..will check out those delicious options for tea and scones! thank you for info on rail passes..Fiona:-) Traveling solo
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32776 posts
The Senior Railcard is not a pass - it is a card allowing a discounted fare.
You can discount (34%) Advance fares as well a buy-on-the-day walk-up fares such as Anytime and Off-Peak. You don't need the Railcard in hand to buy the fare online or by app, you just need it as you are about to board the train and on board with the discounted ticket.
For as long as we have ticket windows at stations - a hotly contested issue at the moment as the government wants to shut them all - you can walk up to a staffed window with your passport and be issued one on the spot. Or you can do it on the app. Just as long as you have it when the ticket is checked.
If you will be buying £100 worth of tickets during the 12 month life of the Railcard you will be ahead of the game.
Posted by
OP
Phoenix, Arizona
5 posts
Thanks Nigel..I am aware it is not a pass..:-) I just bought a digital railcard so on my way! Thank you for your tips..Rail Europe was cheaper on my first trip even including the fees...I'll keep doing some scouting around. Appreciate all your help!
Posted by
Lake District, England
5772 posts
It's too soon yet for advance tickets (which should appear at 8 weeks out) but if you take the Northern Rail train from Manchester to Chester at xx.10 advance fares at £6 (discounted to £3.95 with railcard) are usually available, if you are OK taking the pretty way there through mid Cheshire (which takes 90 minutes).
From Chester to Edinburgh the via Warrington route is usually cheaper than via Crewe as you can get a £5 advance fare (before rc discount) then worth trial and error but the Warrington to Edinburgh fare should be between £12 and £30 before rc discount of 34%.
From Edinburgh to Manchester there is a through Transpennine train every 2 hours, which you can often get for about £20 before rc discount. So some good fares to be found.