London-Edinburgh: Train or Plane; Edinburgh's October Weather?

Provided you are not going on a Sunday, the train could be as quick as flying. The tracks are maintained on Sundays, often causing delays.

As for weather, yes, you could get high 30F, but the absolute temp that is the problem. It is the dampness which just eats through you!

Coming from the cold white north, high 30s in Nov is quite welcome!

I think the train will be just as fast as flying would be when comparing door-to-door times. It's a nice ride and very comfy, though it can be crowded. I can't imagine it'd be cheaper to fly when factoring the cost getting to and from airports.

So time, hassle and cost are better or equal by train.

The weather could well be chilly, wet and windy. Be prepared with layers.

Unless you want to fly direct to Edingburgh from your London flight's landing, the train is probably your best bet. Too much hassle getting back to any London airport. Also the Edinburgh airport is a bit outside town (there is a bus service) but Weatherly station is in the heart of the city.

Could likely have frost at night, maybe during the day too. As mentioned above it will be the cold wet wind that will go right through you.

I think that's Waverley Station rather than Weatherly.

I'm on a morning flight from Boston. If I fly to Edinburgh, the rational thing to do is spend a night at a Heathrow hotel and fly out the next day. If I take the train, I should get into a hotel in the city. My own preference is the train.

What is your scheduled arrival time at Heathrow?

Bee, you are right it's Waverley.

Sorry for my error, It was my poor typing amd lack of proof reading my response. Waverly station it is!!

If you can book you tickets far enough in advance you can get return fares London to Edinburgh as low as £64.00. Here is a link to National Express.

Another option is the Caledonian Sleeper.

Not knowing your arrival time,if you are carrying on or checking baggage can be tricky trying to recommend train schedules.

Tim, Joel, I'm scheduled to arrive at LHR at 8:45 pm. I figure it will be 10:00 or later by the time I clear the airport. I'm inclined to spend the night in London, cab to King's CRoss in the morning, and then up to Edinburgh.

I'm also considering spending the first week in London, then training to Edinburgh, then to York, and then back to London and on to a Heathrow airport the night before flying out. It's a morning flight.

JC, if you can, just book a flight to Edinburgh right after your arrival- even if it is the next morning. You could stay at the Yotel for that one night. Saves some backtracking. Not sure what time the overnight train leaves- you MIGHT be able to swing that, but I doubt it.

Spend a few days in Scotland then head back to London by train with an overnight stop in York to break it up if you like. We loved Edinburgh in Nov/Dec. It really wasn't that cold. Just plan any outside sightseeing for mid-day.

The Caledonian Sleeper leaves Euston at 23:50 and arrives in Edinburgh at 07:17. Booked well in advance (up to 12 weeks), you can get a Bargain Berth as low as 19 GBP. If your plane is on time and you clear the airport by 22:00, you can easily get to Euston in time to catch the sleeper. It's a one-hour ride on the Tube (Piccadilly Line from LHR to Green Park and the Victoria Line from there to Euston).

If you don't want to chance missing that train because of a late flight, then book your daytime train ticket well in advance at www.eastcoast.co.uk. The walk up fare can be as high as 135 GBP. An advance fare can be as low as 12 GBP.

J.C. - To add to what Tim posted, fares from EDI - York is a low as £19 is you book early, fare from York - London is as low as £16.

JC...my wife and I did something similar last Thanksgiving week. Coming from Dulles, we arrived about an hour later than you are scheduled to, and we had only carry-on luggage. We paid extra to sit in the Economy Plus section, so were able to exit the plane fairly quickly. We took the Heathrow Express direct to Paddington, and walked across the street to our hotel. We walked into the lobby a few minutes before midnight. Judging from our experience, you will probably arrive in Central London somewhere around 11 pm. Given that, I would spend the night at a hotel near Kings X and train up the next morning. A good night's sleep in a hotel and--if you are like us--you'll wake up with no jet lag. (we always had jet lag before..must be flying in daylight that makes the difference). Then have an advanced purchased ticket for Edinburgh in your hand (you can print them out at home)...and you are good to go.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I've taken the morning flight out of Logan before, flying up from RDU the night before. (I won't take an overnight to London. Can't sleep on planes and I turn into a zombie for 2 days.) I've also taken the United morning flight out of IAD. This trip I'm on American, coming back on the LHR-RDU flight.

I know I'll need a night's sleep after arriving, so I won't try to catch the sleeper or a flight up to Edinburgh that night. (I'm 6'4'' and pretty sure i wouldn't sleep on the train. Besides, it's only a 4-1/2 hour trip. I need 8 hours of sleep. I'll be on vacation; no need to stress myself.)

Right now, I'm leaning toward spending a week in London, then 3-4 nights in Edinburgh, with a couple of nights in York (I like York), and then spending the last night at a Heathrow hotel.

Only thing that concerns me is luggage. I've done previous trips with only a carryon. I doubt I can manage than on this two-week trip, especially because I'll be packing few space-consuming sweaters.

JC, We used to go to Edinburgh and even the Highlands in late Nov/early Dec. I never had a problem fitting everthing in a carry-on. Edinburgh's weather is not much different from NC's. I usually took 2 pair pants, wore another,2 short sleeve Ts, 3 long sleeve Ts or turtlenecks, 2 long sleeve "big shirts" to layer over the others, gloves, hooded scarf, and a coat (plus personal items). Hubby took 1 pair jeans, 1 pair khakis, wore 1 pair jeans, long underwear, 3 long sleeve button up shirts, 1 long sleeve turtleneck, gloves, hat, leather jacket and "personals". His suitcase would weigh in at about 10 lbs. and mine at about 12-14lb. Just plan on layering. It helps if your coat/jacket is wind/rain resistant. We didn't even have to do laundry as we each took enough socks and underware for the whole trip.

Toni, thanks. I spent 8 nights last year in and around London with one carryon (something slightly smaller than the RS carryons; I went by the letter of airline strictures, according to which my RS carryon was too big.) I'm just trying to figure out how I can stretch that to two weeks. The temps were in the 50's and 40's last year, and I found myself wearing a sweater every day. I even bought a new jacket in Oxford 'cause I was so blippin' chilly. (My idea of Happy Traveling is to pick a neighborhood in a city and go walkabout for the day. I end up spending most of my time outdoors and on foot.)

Trust me, I don't want any checked luggage I'll just have to give it some thought.

j.c.

To get by with just a carry on pack a wind/rain shell, full zip fleece (I use 100 weight because it's less bulky and still warm) and a lightweight wool sweater.

When it gets really cold, as it likely will be in Edinburgh during October, layer all three over a t-shirt, or two. If that's not enough, head to a local department store and pick up knit gloves, cap and a scarf.

Avoid cotton. When cotton gets wet (even from sweat) it loses almost all insulation. Use tech fibers or wool whenever possible.

I took the train, and loved the scenery. I kept thinking, I wish I could get off to explore some of the areas, and on another trip we did.

Train or plane doesn't really make much diff. Train direct to Waverley from Euston (day or sleeper - no showers). Plane - airport not very handy. Personally would fly but Aash, BA strikes, etc.
October may be rainy, windy, etc. Plan for Autumn. Gloves and warm coat essentials.
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