Good morning. We are traveling in Scotland for a week and then going to meet some friends in London. We are thinking of taking a train from either Edinburg or Glasgow and we are looking for suggestions - day train or night train? or should we consider an alternative. Thank you.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7937 posts
On our first trip years ago, we used a daytime train to connect London and Edinburgh, then back to London a few days later with a stopover in York. The price wasn't too bad, and the travel time took between 4 1/2 and 5 hours direct.
For our trip last summer, where we didn't even go into London, we flew (Virgin Air) from Heathrow Airport (where we'd just landed from the USA) to Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport. Really good price, and really, really fast & convenient. For someone who's already in downtown London, however, you'd have to get out to the airport, then deal with check-in and security, so that might make it a somewhat less attractive option. Other airlines besides Virgin make the trip, too, from both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1266 posts
Jacque - I would recommend a day train. Travel from Edinburgh to London can be done for as little as £24.00 per person(if you buy your tickets far enough in advance). Travel from Glasgow to London can be done for as little as £30.00 per person(if you buy your tickes far enough in advance). Travel time from either Ediburgh or Glasgow to London is about 4 1/2 hours.
Checkout www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.virgintrainseastcoast.com for train schedules & tickets.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
The Sleeper is a different experience but would agree with the others of the day train, my preference is the East Coast route, especially the bit between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Posted by
OP
189 posts
Thank you all for the great information - I am not as concerned about cost as I am about how long it takes. 5 hrs or so is okay. We will be staying in London at the May Fair near green park. If there is a choice of stations, which station do we want to choose?
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
The different stations in London depend on the route taken. The West Coast route from Glasgow is London Euston, the East Coast Route, from Edinburgh, is London King's Cross.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
We just booked tickets from Edinburgh to London - Kings Cross. 4hrs, 42 mins. Far quicker than flying and far to short for a night train.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
We did the night train back in the seventies, but I would never do it again, unless I was taking the one from Inverness.
Pam